This bill directs the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to create multilingual accessibility standards for electronic information used by state agencies. The standards aim to ensure that residents with limited English proficiency can access vital government information and services, addressing language barriers highlighted by the Maui wildfires. The Office of Enterprise Technology Services, working with the Office of Language Access, will develop guidelines for cost-effective implementation and review these standards every three years.
This bill formalizes the creation of destination management action plans for each of Hawaii's four main islands to guide tourism development. It requires the state authority to work with county agencies and advisory groups to execute these plans, which aim to attract specific visitor markets while protecting natural and cultural resources. The legislation also establishes new definitions for "destination management," "Hawaii brand," and "regenerative tourism" to ensure that tourism strategies provide net benefits to local communities and the environment. By adding these requirements to existing state statutes, the law creates a structured framework for managing visitor experiences and infrastructure across the state.
This bill authorizes the Governor of Hawaii to join the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, an interstate group dedicated to managing ocean fishery resources. By adding a new chapter to state law, the legislation enables Hawaii to appoint representatives to the commission and cooperate with other states on sustainable fishing practices. The compact aims to prevent waste of marine, shell, and anadromous fish while explicitly prohibiting member states from fixing prices or creating monopolies. Once ratified by Congress and signed by at least one other state, the agreement will allow Hawaii to participate in joint conservation programs for Pacific Ocean fisheries.
This bill, known as Act 221, updates Hawaii's veterinary medicine laws to clarify who is legally allowed to treat animals and what specific actions require a state license. It directly affects pet owners, veterinarians, and anyone offering veterinary services by reinforcing that only licensed professionals can perform procedures like surgeries, declawing, or ear cropping. The legislation maintains existing exceptions for emergencies, animal owners caring for their own pets, students working under supervision, and out-of-state veterinarians providing temporary consultation. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum fine for practicing veterinary medicine without a license from $500 to $1,000.
This message from the Governor of Hawaii informs the Legislature that Act 219 was signed into law on July 8, 2024. The bill amends existing statutes to provide rent credits for costs associated with demolishing structures and building infrastructure on public land leases. It does not create new programs or change how rent is calculated but rather adjusts the legal framework to allow these specific expenses to be credited against rent payments. The law takes effect immediately upon approval and repeals a previous section of the statute.
This bill, signed into law on July 8, 2024, authorizes the Governor to transfer federal capitalization grant funds between Hawaii's drinking water treatment revolving loan fund and the water pollution control revolving fund. The primary goal is to allow state officials to move up to 33% of a fiscal year's grant amount from one fund to the other to better prioritize infrastructure repairs and address urgent needs like wildfire recovery. By enabling this flexibility, the law aims to ensure federal money is used efficiently for health-protective water and wastewater projects across the state. The legislation also requires the Attorney General to certify the transfer and mandates updates to operating agreements to detail the transfer process.
This bill is a procedural message from the Governor to the Legislature confirming that Act 214 was signed into law on July 8, 2024. The act requires commercial vessel and water sports operators in Hawaii to collect an ocean stewardship fee from each passenger or customer. These collected fees must be deposited into a special fund until January 1, 2031, at which point the fund will be abolished and any remaining balance will transfer to the general fund.
This bill re-establishes the position of state fire marshal in Hawaii, a role that was previously abolished in 1979. The new office will be created within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and will be headed by a full-time state fire marshal appointed by the existing state fire council for a five-year term. The marshal will coordinate fire protection efforts across local agencies, work with law enforcement on fire code enforcement, and assess statewide fire risks following the Lahaina wildfire. This change aims to provide dedicated leadership for fire safety and prevention as the state addresses increasing wildfire risks due to rising global temperatures.
This bill is a procedural message from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature, formally notifying them that he signed House Bill 1902 into law on July 5, 2024. The signed legislation, known as Act 206, amends state statutes to update and clarify the powers and duties of the state's emergency management agency. Key provisions require the agency to create a comprehensive emergency plan integrated with federal efforts, set standards for county emergency plans, and launch statewide public education campaigns on disaster preparedness. Additionally, the law mandates training programs for emergency personnel and authorizes the agency to make recommendations on land use and building codes to help prevent or reduce the impact of future disasters.
This message from the Governor informs the Hawaii Legislature that Act 226 was signed into law on July 8, 2024. The bill directly addresses the erosion and deterioration of the north shore of Oahu, a popular beach area facing risks from waves, sea-level rise, and heavy public use. It establishes the need for a comprehensive beach management plan to protect the shoreline and its natural resources. The legislation also highlights the public trust obligation of the state and city to maintain this coastal area for residents and visitors.
This bill, known as Act 212, amends Hawaii's motor vehicle laws to impose stricter penalties on individuals who commit repeat offenses involving unauthorized driving or vehicle operation. Specifically, it classifies a third or subsequent violation within a five-year period as a class C felony, which carries significantly heavier criminal consequences than previous offenses. Additionally, the law authorizes courts to order the forfeiture of the vehicle used during the commission of these repeat crimes as part of the sentencing process. The changes apply only to offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2024, and do not affect penalties for crimes committed before that date.
This bill establishes a new crime called habitual violent crime to address repeat offenders who commit multiple violent acts within a five-year period. It directly affects individuals who have already been convicted of three or more specific violent offenses, such as assault, sexual assault, or abuse of a family member, and then commit another qualifying violent crime. Under this law, these repeat offenders would face a class C felony charge with a mandatory minimum prison sentence of one year, though probation is available only for first-time convictions of this new offense. The legislation also requires the attorney general to submit an annual report to the legislature regarding the implementation and impact of these new provisions.
