Sen. Karl Rhoads

Requires each county, in collaboration with the Hawaii Community Development Authority, to establish a Summer Streets Pilot Program that closes vehicular traffic and repurposes roads for pedestrian and cyclist use, outdoor events, and other community-driven activities. Authorizes each county to consult with the Department of Health. Requires each county to submit an initial proposal to HCDA. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Prohibits any law enforcement agency or law enforcement official from entering into an agreement under federal law that permits state or county agencies to engage in immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officials from engaging in certain immigration-related actions, except under limited circumstances. (CD1)

Maddy summarySB 2466 would require that the Chief Election Officer can only be terminated for specific reasons (e.g., misconduct) after completing a probationary period. This bill directly affects the Chief Election Officer by protecting their position from arbitrary removal by elected officials. The provision is procedural in nature, focusing on job security standards rather than substantive policy changes. The bill is currently pending committee review and has not yet become law.

Maddy summarySB 2727 extends the deadline for filing discrimination complaints with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission from the current timeframe to one year. This change directly affects individuals in Hawaii who experience discrimination and wish to seek redress through the Commission. The key provision modifies the statute of limitations, giving complainants more time to submit formal complaints after an alleged discriminatory act occurs. The bill does not alter the Commission's investigative processes or remedies but focuses solely on the filing period. This is a procedural policy change impacting access to civil rights enforcement.

Establishes an order of succession for an Interim Chief Election Officer in the event of a vacancy in the position of Chief Election Officer until the Elections Commission appoints a new Chief Election Officer. (CD1)

Authorizes counties to require contractors to disclose employee wage, benefit, hour, and employment‑status information. Authorizes counties to deny, revoke, or suspend building permits for violations of related laws under certain conditions. Establishes a process by which an owner or developer may replace a noncompliant contractor and transfer the building permit to the replacement contractor. Exempts from the denial, revocation, and suspension, building permit applications submitted by an owner-occupant for work performed on the owner-occupant's residence. (CD1)

Reaffirms that artificial persons created under state law possess only those powers that are necessary or convenient to carry out lawful purposes, and that those powers do not include the power to spend money or contribute anything of value to influence elections or ballot measures. Authorizes the Attorney General and the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to impose certain penalties for violations. Effective 7/1/2027. (CD2)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the University of Hawaii to create a specific pathway for studying the Niihau dialect of the Hawaiian language. The bill recognizes that the Niihau community has preserved a distinct version of Hawaiian that differs from the dialects used in mainstream immersion schools and other educational settings. It aims to formally acknowledge the unique linguistic heritage of Niihau speakers and ensure their specific language needs are addressed within higher education. The resolution directs a copy of this request to the President of the University of Hawaii System for consideration.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation to create a task force to study whether the state should adopt a demerit point system for traffic violations. The proposed task force would include transportation officials from the state and all five counties, along with police chiefs from each county. The group is tasked with evaluating the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a system and reporting their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2028. If the task force recommends moving forward, it would propose new legislation to implement the system. This resolution does not change any laws immediately but initiates a formal review process to determine if Hawaii should follow the model used by other states.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges all state and county agencies in Hawaii that handle construction projects to create public websites showing payment details for contractors and subcontractors. The bill asks these agencies to display information about job progress, payments made, and retainage amounts within one year, following a model already used by the Public Works Division. Agencies unable to implement this system must explain their barriers to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session. The resolution also thanks the Public Works Division for its work and sends copies to relevant government officials and industry associations.