SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO 2024 HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE
Ka‘ena - Makahā - Waiʻanae - Nānākuli - Mā‘ili - Ko Olina
JANUARY 2024
BREAKING NEWS
LATEST COMMUNITY UPDATES 2024 CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (CIP) PRIORITIES • Nānākuli High &
Intermediate School Performing Arts Center • Wai’anae Intermediate
School Covered Playcourt • Emergency Fire Fighting
Dipping Wells in Wai’anae Coast Valleys • Parallel Access Route
on Pa’akea Road • Turn Lanes at Lualualei
Naval Rd. Nanaikeola St.
DHS Expands Preschool “Open Doors Program” The Department of Human Services (DHS) is expanding the Preschool Open Doors Program to eligible 3-year-olds and helping families better afford preschool for the 2024-2025 school year with increased gross income eligibility limits. Families that may have been over income in previous years may now qualify if they have eligible 3- or 4-year-old children and need help with preschool tuition.
APPLICATION PERIOD from Jan 16th to Mar 28th, 2024 Application also involves Child Care Subsidy Programs https://childcaresubsidyapplication.dhs.hawaii.gov/ <APPLY RIGHT NOW>
CURRENT LEGISLATION FOR INTRODUCTION THIS 2024 SESSION
HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS / EDUCATION RELATING TO OIA SCHOOL SURF COMPETITION (SB2328) EDU, WAM Establishes and provides funding for school athletic surfing competition within the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) RELATING TO AQUACULTURE (WHS) (SB2329) AEN/WTL, WAM Establishes, funds, and supports a fish loko i‘a program at WHS INCENTIVIZE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE (RESOLUTION) Incentivize the hiring of fluent speakers of ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i in public and private positions and in educational settings RELATING TO ACCESS TO EDUCATION (SB2970) Allow additional funding for the Wai‘anae Moku Access to Education (ATE) Program at Leeward Community College on O’ahu
RELATING TO HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMMISSION (SB2640) HWN, WAM/JDC Allows DHHL to provide a cash award amount to beneficiaries on their waitlist, for the purpose of purchasing residential lots located outside of DHHL's trust lands after which, the beneficiary would be removed from the waitlist. RELATING TO DHHL (SB2435) HWN, JDC/WAM Allows for waitlisted beneficiaries who are ill, elderly, and/or disabled to receive a paper lease RELATING TO DHHL (SB2594) HWN, JDC/WAM Allows successors of deceased waitlist beneficiaries to assume place on waiting list RELATING TO UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS (SB2327) EDU, WAM Provides universal free breakfast and lunch for all public-school students RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION (SB2330) EDU, WAM Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to strengthen student transportation services for Hawaii's public school system. RELATING TO TEACHERS (SB2326 ) EDU, WAM Increases the bonus for teachers who achieve and maintain a current national board certification from $5,000 to $15,000. RELATING TO MENSTRUAL EQUITY (at UH) (SB2433) HRE/HHS, WAM RELATING TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS (in all DAGS buildings) (SB3000)
CURRENT LEGISLATION FOR INTRODUCTION THIS 2024 SESSION (continued)
JUDICIARY / ADMIN / SEX CRIMES JUDICIAL RETIREMENT AGE INCREASE (SB2319) JDC, WAM Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from 70 to 75 years.
RELATING TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS (SB2641) TCA/CPN, WAM/JDC Amends the law so that only moving violations resulting in convictions appear on traffic abstracts. $100,000 funding
RELATING TO WINDSHIELD TINTING (SB2320) TCA/JDC Lowers the level of light transmittance allowed on sun screening glazing on motor vehicle windows from 35% to 25%.
RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING (SB3277)
Prohibits a determination of ineligibility for tenant applicants for any program under the Hawaii Public Housing Authority law due to an eviction unless a writ of possession was issued and served,
RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE $ (SB2644) GVO, WAM/JDC Taxes capital gains income at the same rate as ordinary income.
RELATING TO CAPITAL GAINS TAX (SB2325) WAM
Taxes capital gains income at the same rate as ordinary income.
RELATING TO YOUTH FEES AND FINES (SB2323) HHS, JDC Prohibits the assessment of any fines, fees, or court costs against a person who was adjudicated as a minor, or against the person's parent or guardian, and discharges all rdebt.
RELATING TO LIMITATION OF ACTION (SB2439) JDC
Revives and/or extends the statute of limitations for civil actions brought by victims of sexual assault against an alleged offender.
RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING (SB2757) JDC
Aligns state sex trafficking laws with federal law by making the commercial sexual exploitation of a minor a form of sex trafficking.
RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING (SB2758) JDC
Authorizes civil claims to be made against a business, owner, or operator of a transient accommodation, or other commercial entity that profits.
RELATING TO CHILD PROTECTION* (SB2643) HHS/PSM, JDC Amends definition of “imminent harm” in the Child Protective Act. Requires due process in child removals without a court order.
RELATING TO INDECENT EXPOSURE (SB2971) Raises the criminal penalty for the offense of indecent exposure from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor if the victim is less than sixteen years of age.
CURRENT LEGISLATION FOR INTRODUCTION THIS 2024 SESSION (continued)
STATE BURIAL COUNCILS RELATING TO BURIAL SITES (SB2438) WTL/HWN, JDC Requires violators of HRS Chapter 6E to appear before the BLNR and imposes fines RELATING TO BURIAL SITES (SB2589) HWN/WTL, JDC Increases the penalty for the desecration of Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian burial sites from a misdemeanor to a felony. RELATING TO BURIAL SITES (SB2590) HWN/WTL, JDC Requires the DLNR to amend the definitions of "inadvertent discovery" and "previously identified" in the HAR, to better protect burial sites. RELATING TO BURIAL SITES (SB2442) WTL/HWN, JDC Clarifies the definition of “burial site”. RELATING TO BURIAL SITES (SB2592) HWN/WTL, JDC Requires the DLNR to amend the definition of "cultural descendant", in HAR, to more accurately capture relationships between individuals and families. RELATING TO BURIAL SITES (SB2441) WTL/HWN, JDC Requires the DLNR to amend the definition of "lineal descent", in HAR, to allow applicants to better claim lineal descent status to remains found at burial sites. RELATING TO BURIAL SITES (SB2591) HWN/WTL, JDC Allows individuals and ‘ohana members to access burial sites on privately owned lands for specific monitoring & cultural reasons. RELATING TO BURIAL SITES (SB2587 / SB2440) WTL, WAM Requires the State Historic Preservation Division of the DLNR to compile a list of approved archaeologists to ensure the quality and integrity of archaeological services contracted by developers.
PUBLIC LANDS RELATING TO FEDERAL LANDS (SB2593) WTL/PSM, WAM Establishes within the DLNR a Makua Valley task force to prepare for the transition of the management of the Makua military reservation from the United States Army upon the expiration of the Army's lease for the land. Requires a report to the Legislature. RELATING TO LAND LEASES (SB2759) WTL, JDC Prohibits the State from leasing any public lands, or extending the lease of any public lands, to any individual, corporation, or federal agency that is in arrears in the payment of certain moneys to the State, noncompliant with a consent decree or memoranda of agreement with the State that requires environmental maintenance or remediation with regard to the subject public lands, or convicted of a crime.
CURRENT LEGISLATION FOR INTRODUCTION THIS 2024 SESSION (continued)
HEALTH RELATING TO WATER QUALITY (SB2322) HHS/AEN, WAM Requires the Department of Health to require continued water testing during brown water advisories under certain circumstances. RELATING TO ACCESS FOR REPRODUCTIVE CARE (SB2969) Clarifies the State's midwifery law to permit care by extended family, cultural supporters, or others with whom a woman chooses to give birth. State shall not prohibit or restrict healing practices by traditional healers of any ethnic culture or religious faith or their students, nor a person's right to choose where and with whom one gives birth. RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE (SB2321) LBT, WAM Establishes the Public Employee Health Benefits Working Group to investigate the feasibility of offering a fully self-insured health benefits plan with no deductible or monthly premium cost to state and county public employees. Report to Legislature. RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS (SB3278) Amends State laws governing medical use of cannabis and the medical cannabis dispensary system.
RELATING TO CLEAN AND SOBER HOMES (SB2642) HHS/PSM, JDC/WAM Requires mandatory registration for all clean and sober homes. Requires the Department of Health to ensure there is equitable distribution of clean and sober homes throughout a county. Requires an applicant to obtain written approval from the appropriate county showing compliance with all land use and zoning ordinances and rules. Prohibits the Department of Health from issuing a certificate of registration: unless, a public informational meeting is held. RELATING TO LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS. (SB471) HHS, JDC/WAM Prohibits camping in public areas that are not designated as camping locations by the State or a county. Allows the court to order participation in homeless services in lieu of prosecution or sentencing. Requires the Governor to establish safe zones for homeless persons. Makes appropriations.
EMERGENCY SERVICES RELATING TO FIRST RESPONDERS (SB2324) Requires the State to share in the cost of county first responder personnel fulfilling state-imposed new mandates or increases in the level of service under existing programs. RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION $ (SB2434) LBT/PSM, WAM Creates a State Fire Marshal who is authorized to hire seven enforcement officers.
CURRENT LEGISLATION FOR INTRODUCTION THIS 2024 SESSION (continued)
HISTORIC PRESERVATION RELATING HISTORIC PRESERVATION (SB2331) PSM/WTL, JDC Clarifies that the Governor may waive historic preservation requirements in an emergency proclamation only when there is an imminent or presently occurring emergency which threatens health and safety. RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION (SB2588) GVO/WTL, WAM Add four in-house archeologist positions and one historic preservation position
ENVIRONMENT RELATING TO DEBRIS RECYCLING (SB2436) GVO/AEN, CPN/WAM Requires recycling of construction and demolition materials and use of recycled materials to factor into priority offeror selections for competitive procurement of construction or demolition services by the State or any county. RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION CODE (SB2437) PSM/AEN, WAM Requires the state building code to incorporate the international green construction code. Sets specified targets for recycling, reuse, donation, and resale of non hazardous construction waste.
GLIMPSES OF OPENING DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE 2024