Sen. Stanley Chang

Increases the rooftop solar tax credit to forty five per cent for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025 through December 31, 2030. Establishes the Direct Solar Rebate Program to be administered by the Hawaii State Energy Office for low‑ and moderate-income households. Streamlines rooftop solar permitting and requires the counties to develop electronic application systems. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to enhance workforce development and coordinate with county permitting agencies. Authorizes the adoption of interim rules. Appropriates funds.

Restricts commercial helicopter tour operations over sensitive areas designated by the Department of Transportation through public process. Requires the Department of Transportation to enforce restrictions through a permit process, flight tracking, noise monitoring, complaint investigation, and the issuance of a civil penalty for each violation. Requires an annual report to the Legislature by the Department of Transportation.

Expands the protections established under Act 2, SLH 2023, to include gender-affirming health care services, including clarifying permitted disclosures of protected health information to address changes in federal regulations. Establishes protections against abusive litigation. Prohibits medical malpractice insurers and health carriers from taking certain adverse actions against health care providers solely on the basis that the health care provider provides lawful reproductive health care services or gender-affirming care services.

Establishes an exemption from mediation in parentage proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse.

Establishes restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence, algorithms, or other software tools for purposes of decision-making in health insurance utilization reviews. Requires a licensed health care provider to review all adverse actions by the health carrier.

Prohibits a law enforcement officer and law enforcement agency from making certain requests for assistance from federal law enforcement agencies with exceptions. Establishes requirements and limitations for law enforcement agencies to enter into agreements with federal law enforcement agencies.

Establishes uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U and T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas. Requires each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U and T visa certifications, consistent with those statewide requirements. Appropriate funds for the Department of the Attorney General to provide training to state and county certifying entities so that the policies and processes comply with all federal requirements. Appropriates funds to the Department of the Attorney General for the training.

Amends the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund by authorizing the deposit of revenues from billable emergency medical services. Amends the composition, allowable uses, and establishes a cap on the special fund.

Repeals allocation of conveyance tax revenues to the rental housing revolving fund. Temporarily suspends selected state income tax credits retroactively to 1/1/2026.

Authorizes the inclusion of language addressing individualized accommodations and supports during emergency situations and evacuations in individualized education programs for students with disabilities. Requires support and guidance from the Department of Education.