This House Resolution (HR 15) requests collaboration between Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Education, and State Public Charter School Commission to create a student-led coral stewardship program. The program would educate students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding harmful chemicals like oxybenzone) and promote coral reef protection at state beaches. It requires the departments to develop the program and submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027, including student input and recommendations for future action. The initiative directly affects public charter schools and students, focusing on voluntary education rather than enforcement.
HR 19 is a House Resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Health to form a Hospice Working Group. The group will study national and Hawaii-specific hospice industry trends, regulations, and quality concerns - including fraud risks and outcomes data - to prepare for the state's aging population (projected 1 in 4 residents over 60 by 2035). The resolution specifies the group’s composition (including health agency leaders and existing hospice providers from all major counties) and requires a 2027 report with recommendations for regulatory improvements. It does not create new laws but aims to inform future policy decisions affecting hospice care access and quality.
Establishes a Uniform Towing Practices for Public Parking Facilities Working Group within the Department of Transportation to examine existing state and county laws, ordinances, rules, and administrative practices relating to towing from public parking facilities and develop recommendations for uniform standards applicable to towing from state and county parking facilities. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
HB 2333 authorizes the Hawaii Department of Transportation to create designated "airport special district zones" within airports across the state. These zones would allow the DOT to manage specific areas for development, operations, or services under its jurisdiction. The bill takes effect on July 1, 3000, and does not directly impact residents or businesses outside airport properties. It establishes a procedural framework for airport management rather than changing tax rates, fees, or public services.
This House Resolution (HR 7) urges Hawaii counties to approve or deny building permit applications for home safety modifications within 45 days of receiving a complete application. It specifically targets modifications prescribed by healthcare providers for older adults (62+) or people with disabilities, such as ramps or grab bars, when deemed essential for safety or health. The resolution does not create new law but recommends a 45-day timeline to reduce delays causing fall risks and hospitalizations. It applies directly to county permitting departments and affected residents seeking urgent home modifications. (Note: As a non-binding resolution, it relies on voluntary county action, not enforcement.)
This bill (GM 671) is a routine gubernatorial nomination for William Frisbee to serve on the Board of Directors of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISEC). It requests the Hawaii Senate to confirm Frisbee's appointment for a term ending June 30, 2029. The bill does not create new policy or affect any specific group; it solely seeks Senate approval for a board position. As a procedural nomination, no substantive provisions or mechanisms are involved.
This bill serves as a formal notification from the Governor to the Senate regarding the withdrawal of a specific gubernatorial appointment. It directly affects the Senate's consideration process for Natashya Nihipali, who was nominated to serve on the Hawai'i Teacher Standards Board. The key provision is the official removal of Nihipali from the list of candidates under review, citing Article V, Section 6 of the state constitution as the legal basis for this action. Consequently, the Senate will no longer proceed with confirming or rejecting this particular nominee for the board position.
This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Transportation to fix and update its administrative rules for the Driver Education Program based on recommendations from an auditor's report. The bill directly affects driver education instructors, schools, and students by addressing issues like outdated curriculum certification and inconsistent oversight that have existed for over twenty years. The Department must establish task forces to certify required curricula, develop clear policies and procedures, and submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027. This action aims to bring the program into compliance with existing laws and ensure consistent standards across the state.
This Senate Resolution urges government agencies to redevelop the Pali Lanes property in Kailua, Oahu, to preserve its historic mid-century architecture and maintain it as a community space for recreation and cultural activities. The bill directly affects residents of Kailua and Windward Oahu by advocating for affordable public use of the site, which closed in 2021 after serving as a community hub for over sixty years. Key provisions request that if the property is not renovated for public benefit, the Department of Land and Natural Resources evaluate acquiring the land to ensure it remains available for community use. The resolution also asks that copies be sent to relevant officials and the property owner, Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to work with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to create rules banning commercial octopus farming. The bill aims to prevent potential environmental harm from intensive coastal development, water pollution, and the use of wild-caught fish for feed, while also addressing concerns about animal welfare and the cultural importance of native octopus populations. It would prohibit commercial aquaculture operations but allow special permits for non-commercial research and educational activities involving octopus.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources to consider whether private dam owners have or are actively seeking liability insurance during safety assessments. The bill aims to make insurance coverage a recognized mitigation measure that could help owners meet safety standards and potentially qualify for state grant programs. It asks the department to relax certain restrictions on dams once insurance is verified and to avoid automatically classifying dams as high hazard based solely on engineering risk assessments. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but instead urges the department to adopt more flexible assessment practices for private dam owners facing financial and technical challenges.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges government authorities to redevelop the Pali Lanes property in Kailua, Oahu, to preserve its historic mid-century architecture and provide recreational, cultural, and community-serving uses for local residents. The bill highlights that the facility served the community for sixty years before closing in 2021 and notes concerns about for-profit redevelopment proposals that could limit public access. It requests that if public benefit redevelopment does not occur, the Department of Land and Natural Resources evaluate acquiring the property to maintain it for public use. The resolution also directs copies to relevant state officials and community leaders involved in the property's future.
