Sen. Stanley Chang

By July 1, 2027, requires the Honolulu Police Department to establish and maintain a statewide automated DNA match tracking system. Requires the Department to submit an annual report to the Legislature and post the report to the Department's website. Requires each law enforcement agency and prosecuting attorney's office that submits DNA to a crime laboratory in the State to participate in the automated DNA match tracking system. Establishes mandatory deadlines for entities participating in the automated DNA match tracking system after confirmation of a DNA database match. Establishes privacy and data protection guidelines for the statewide automated DNA match tracking system. Appropriates funds.

Exempts from the state general excise tax any grants received from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund by an eligible business pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Requires the Department of Taxation to notify all taxpayers eligible for refunds of any state general excise tax paid for grants received from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund of their eligibility and requires taxpayers to file refund claims no later than six months following notification. Requires any state general excise taxes paid by eligible businesses for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants to be refunded to the taxpayer. Applies retroactively to 3/11/2021.

Maddy summarySB 2674 authorizes the University of Hawaii to conduct business-related activities (such as student-run ventures or research commercialization) directly tied to educational programs. It specifically allows the university to engage in enterprise activities that support student learning and academic goals. This bill affects the University of Hawaii system by expanding its ability to operate such initiatives under state authorization. The measure focuses on enabling educational opportunities through practical, hands-on business engagement, without changing broader university governance or funding.

Amends the definition of "development" as it pertains to coastal zone management to clarify that certain activities excluded from the definition of "development" are not subject to special management area permit requirements.

Requires the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish a Center for Biosecurity Research, Education, and Extension to develop and implement innovative solutions for detecting, monitoring, eradicating, and managing invasive species. Appropriates funds.

Restructures the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system for the sale of properties with residential use, adjusts the tax for multifamily properties to reflect value on a per-unit basis, and applies a cost-of-living adjustment to conveyance tax rates. Allocates revenues from conveyance tax collections. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax collections to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to fund infrastructure programs in county-designated transit-oriented development areas that meet minimum standards of transit-supportive density. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax revenues to the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust Fund.

Establishes additional requirements to revoke or make changes relating to agents under powers of attorney of principals diagnosed with cognitive deficits. Requires submittals to the Adult Protective and Community Service Branch of the Department of Human Services. Requires the Branch to issue a notice of receipt to the principal and any person initiating the change. Establishes a mandatory waiting period before any proposed change takes effect. Establishes an expedited process for a court order granting an emergency change to a power of attorney.

Maddy summarySB 594 changes the law to make it easier to prosecute crimes against seniors by removing the requirement that a perpetrator must know or reasonably should know the victim is 60 years or older. This bill directly affects seniors who are victims of crimes, as it shifts the legal standard for certain offenses. The key provision eliminates the need for prosecutors to prove the offender was aware of the victim's age, making it a stricter standard for crimes committed against seniors. The bill is currently pending in committee, with a hearing scheduled for January 2026. (3 sentences)

Maddy summarySB 2124 would require judges to impose mandatory prison sentences and maximum fines for individuals convicted of arson offenses, removing judicial discretion in sentencing. It directly affects people found guilty of arson, replacing current sentencing options with fixed penalties. The bill's key provision is a mandatory minimum prison term coupled with the highest allowable fine for all qualifying arson convictions. This policy change would standardize penalties for arson crimes across the jurisdiction. The bill is currently pending in committee review as of the latest update.

Extends the period during which a surety, surety insurer, or bail agent may file a motion or application to set aside the bond or recognizance forfeiture from thirty days to ninety days. Ensures that proper notice of a bail forfeiture judgment is provided to a surety or bail agent. Affirms that a judge may impose financial conditions of release and maintain full discretion to consider individual circumstances. Allows a surety or bail agent to apply to set aside a forfeiture, even if a prior motion has been filed. Subjects bail bond forfeiture proceedings to Rule 60 of the Hawaii Rules of Civil Procedure. Prohibits forfeiture from being ordered in any felony case.