Sen. Stanley Chang

Requires residential property insurers to disclose wildfire risk scores upon request and at renewal, nonrenewal, and application. Requires insurers using wildfire risk models, catastrophe models, or scoring methods to file model-use information with the Insurance Commissioner and incorporate property-level and community-level wildfire mitigation. Requires insurers to provide mitigation discounts if property-level and community-level wildfire mitigations are not incorporated into risk models. Establishes a standardized notice and an appeal process for wildfire risk scores and mitigation discounts. Authorizes insurers to provide benefits or premium reductions for wildfire risk-preventative measures and clarifies treatment for midterm premium increases and anti-rebate laws. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Removes discriminatory requirements for mandatory insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization procedures to create parity of coverage for same-sex couples, unmarried individuals, transgender persons, and opposite-sex couples for whom male infertility is the relevant factor. Requires the insured or the insured's dependent spouse to have a history of infertility of at least six months' duration, rather than five years. Includes need for medical intervention to conceive due to physiological or anatomical factors.

Defines the term "cosmetics". Requires all merchants that sell cosmetics to accept returns of new or unopened goods within specified time frames. Exempts certain merchants that sell cosmetics. Clarifies the definition of "conspicuous sign". Beginning 1/1/2027, requires a merchant that sells cosmetics and receives three or more warning letters from the Office of Consumer Protection for failing to post a conspicuous sign to post return and refund policy signs printed and distributed by the Office of Consumer Protection. Appropriates funds.

Includes the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office as a member of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Ensures that the State's zero emissions clean economy aspirational target encourages both local and global sequestration. Requires each state agency to review the impacts of its internal plans as they relate to the purpose and goals of the Commission. Requires HSEO to submit summary reports to the Governor and Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Requires any petitioner for a district boundary amendment to obtain certification from the Commission on Water Resources Management that enough water is available for the project needs without causing harm to the relevant aquifers and provide that certification to the Land Use Commission.

Maddy summarySB 2039 prohibits certain business entities from participating in election-related activities or campaign finance. It directly affects businesses that might otherwise contribute to or influence campaigns. The bill's key provision bans these entities from engaging in campaign finance activities, such as donating to political committees or spending on electioneering communications. This policy change aims to limit business influence in elections by restricting their financial involvement.

Beginning no later than the 2028-2029 school year, requires the Department of Education to administer a dyslexia-sensitive universal screening to all students in kindergarten through grade three. Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, requires certain employees of public schools to have an opportunity to participate in training on literacy instruction. Requires a report to the Legislature and Board of Education before the 2031-2032 school year. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 2419 amends the Uniform Controlled Substances Act to exclude drug testing products (like home test kits or workplace screening tools) from the legal definition of "drug paraphernalia." This change directly affects individuals and businesses using these products, such as employers conducting drug screenings or healthcare providers administering tests. The bill’s key mechanism is a specific statutory revision that removes these items from a category historically subject to criminal penalties. It does not alter drug use laws but clarifies that testing tools themselves are not illegal under current drug paraphernalia statutes. The bill is currently in committee referral with no further action taken.

Repeals requirement for Auditor to audit the Deposit Beverage Container Program and requires that an independent auditor conduct the audits instead. Establishes the Bag Drop Pilot Program to allow redeemers of deposit beverage containers to drop bags of empty deposit beverage containers at participating redemption sites and be paid later.

Replaces the current statutory prohibition on private shoreline hardening with a policy directing the minimization of these structures. Establishes a clear, time-limited statutory framework for emergency permits within the conservation district, including defined standards for permit duration and extension.