Hawaii Congressional Bills

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 9, 2023

HR 927: Supreme Court Ethics Act.

HR 927, the Supreme Court Ethics Act, establishes new ethics rules and oversight for Supreme Court justices. It requires the Judicial Conference to create a binding code of conduct within one year and mandates the appointment of an Ethics Investigations Counsel to receive public complaints, investigate potential violations, and issue annual public reports. The bill also requires justices to publicly disclose their reasons for recusing themselves or denying recusal motions in cases. These provisions directly affect Supreme Court justices by creating a formal process for handling ethics concerns and increasing transparency around their conduct.

Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (D) · 94 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 9, 2023

HR 953: Child Care for Every Community Act

The Child Care for Every Community Act establishes a federal program to provide universal, high-quality child care and early learning services for all young children not yet required to attend school. It provides 90% federal funding for most programs (100% for migrant/seasonal farmworkers and Native American children) with a sliding fee scale based on family income (maximum 7% of income). The bill requires states, tribes, and localities to develop comprehensive plans ensuring services are accessible, culturally appropriate, and meet national quality standards. It specifically focuses on serving low-income children, children with disabilities, dual language learners, homeless children, and children in foster care. The program emphasizes coordination with schools and other community services to support children's development and school readiness.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

Mikie Sherrill (D) · 96 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 9, 2023

HR 926: Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023

HR 926 would require the Supreme Court to establish a code of conduct for justices within 180 days of enactment, along with procedures for handling ethics complaints against them. The bill mandates minimum disclosure standards for gifts, income, and reimbursements received by justices and their law clerks, and requires justices to recuse themselves when they or their family received gifts from parties in a case. It would also require parties and amici curiae to disclose gifts given to justices and lobbying contacts related to justices' nominations, and establish a judicial investigation panel to review complaints against justices. The legislation aims to increase transparency in Supreme Court ethics processes and provide clearer recusal standards for justices.

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 9, 2023

HR 884: No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act

This bill makes significant changes to US corporate tax rules to prevent tax avoidance through foreign operations. It requires corporations to calculate foreign income tax liabilities country-by-country, limits interest deductions for large international financial reporting groups, and modifies rules for "inverted corporations" (where US companies move tax residence abroad). The bill also creates new rules treating foreign corporations managed primarily in the US as domestic corporations for tax purposes. These changes aim to close tax loopholes related to outsourcing and foreign tax planning.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Lloyd Doggett (D) · 140 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 9, 2023

HR 951: PERIOD Act

HR 951, the PERIOD Act, prohibits U.S. federal funding for educational institutions (including K-12 schools and colleges) that require students to provide menstrual cycle information as a condition of attendance or services. The bill directly affects all schools receiving federal education funds by banning the collection of this specific health data. Key provisions state that no federal money can be allocated to institutions mandating such disclosures, with definitions covering elementary schools, secondary schools, and higher education institutions under existing federal education laws. This policy change mandates privacy protections for students' health information in educational settings funded by the federal government.

Topics ✗ Education ✓ Technology

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 9, 2023

HR 950: REEF Act

The REEF Act requires the Secretary of the Navy to notify Congress 90 days before retiring any naval vessel that is a viable candidate for artificial reefing. It also states that Congress believes the Navy should actively seek opportunities to repurpose such vessels for environmental benefits through artificial reefs. This bill does not change retirement procedures but mandates a formal notification process to inform Congress about potential reefing options for eligible vessels.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 8, 2023

HR 871: Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act

This bill amends federal law to include Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers who die while performing official duties protecting transportation systems as eligible for public safety officers' death benefits. It specifically adds TSA employees working to "ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce" to the list of covered personnel under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act. The change applies to deaths occurring on or after October 31, 2013, directly affecting TSA officers and their families by expanding access to death benefits previously available only to other public safety personnel.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Julia Brownley (D) · 33 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 8, 2023

HR 882: American Teacher Act

HR 882, the American Teacher Act, requires states to ensure full-time teachers in public elementary and secondary schools earn at least $60,000 annually (adjusted for inflation), with part-time teachers receiving proportional pay. It provides federal grants to states to fund these salary increases, mandating sustainability plans beyond the 4-year grant period and prioritizing schools in high-poverty areas. The bill also includes cost-of-living adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index and funds a national campaign to promote teaching as a career. It explicitly states grant funds must supplement existing education budgets without reducing current teacher pay or state loan forgiveness programs.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 8, 2023

HR 492: BRAVE Act

The BRAVE Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a new system that proactively offers mental health resources to eligible veterans. It specifically targets veterans enrolled in VA care who have experienced traumatic or highly stressful events, allowing them to opt-in to receive information about available mental health services. The system must coordinate with the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program and be fully implemented within two years of the bill's enactment. This changes VA's outreach approach by making mental health support more accessible after critical life events. The bill directly affects veterans who qualify under these criteria, not broader populations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 8, 2023

HR 303: Retired Pay Restoration Act

HR 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act, allows certain disabled military retirees to receive both full retired pay and veterans’ disability compensation without forfeiting retired pay. It specifically extends this benefit to retirees with service-connected disabilities rated below 50% (previously ineligible), while continuing existing provisions for those with 50-90% ratings and 100% ratings. The bill eliminates the "one dollar for one dollar" offset for these retirees, effective January 2021, meaning they no longer lose retired pay to receive disability compensation. This directly affects disabled military retirees with qualifying service-connected disabilities under 50% who were previously required to sacrifice retired pay. The law amends Title 10 to redefine "qualified retirees" and streamline concurrent payment eligibility.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 7, 2023

S 274: Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act

This bill expands paid family and medical leave for federal employees from 12 to 26 workweeks annually for qualifying events like childbirth, adoption, or serious health conditions. It specifically allows adoption leave to begin before placement for preparatory activities and modifies service requirements. The law applies to all federal employees under Title 5, plus employees of the U.S. Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission, Library of Congress, GAO, Congressional staff, and Veterans Affairs personnel. It also requires the District of Columbia courts and public defender service to establish paid leave programs mirroring federal standards for their employees. These changes standardize and extend paid leave benefits across most federal workplaces.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 7, 2023

S 298: Keep Americans Safe Act

The Keep Americans Safe Act bans the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of large capacity ammunition magazines (defined as holding more than 10 rounds) for most civilians, while exempting law enforcement officers, retired officers, and certain security personnel. It requires new magazines to have serial numbers and manufacturing dates, and allows federal funding for buy-back programs to remove these magazines from circulation. The law grandfathered existing magazines owned before enactment and excludes specific uses like campus law enforcement or nuclear facility security. This directly affects civilians owning high-capacity magazines but not police, military, or authorized security personnel.

Robert Menendez (D) · 30 co-sponsors

Hawaii Congressional Bills

Bill results