HB 2061 appropriates state funds to establish a gun buyback program, requiring at least two buyback events in every county each year. The bill directly affects residents who may participate in these events to exchange firearms for cash. Key provisions include dedicated funding allocation for program operations and mandatory event scheduling across all counties. This policy change creates a structured, statewide initiative for firearm buybacks without altering gun ownership laws.
Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a Hawaii Rx kids program to improve the economic stability of households with very young children who reside in the State through a one-time payment and several monthly payments.
Authorizes the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, to establish the Shade and Fruit Tree Program to support educational activities and encourage propagation of native shade trees and fruit trees for planting in Department of Education schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes a framework that provides counties or their subdivisions priority and the right of first refusal to obtain intergovernmental agreements related to the disposition of water resources for public purposes. Establishes criteria to be applied when determining that the issuance of a state water license is in the best interest of the State.
Beginning 1/1/2027, requires contracts for services awarded to community-based organizations by the Judiciary in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State to include certain protections against inflation. Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to increase the contract price in existing contracts for services provided by community-based organizations in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide a certificate of rehabilitation to offenders who have satisfied all sentencing and post-release requirements. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with government and private stakeholders to conduct public education regarding the certificates. Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with state agencies to increase offenders' eligibility for security clearance in post-release employment with the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires the Department of Education to implement financial literacy instruction into existing courses in public high schools that have sufficient overlap with financial literacy program standards beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Requires the Board of Education to provide professional development to teachers. Allows the Board of Education to adopt rules. Appropriates funds.
Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours, except for instructional purposes, to begin in the 2027-2028 school year.
Establishes within the Department of Transportation a fare-free youth transit program, to be coordinated with the counties. Establishes a fare-free youth transit program special fund. Requires biannual evaluations of the new program and special fund. Allocates moneys from the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to the fare-free youth transit program special fund. Appropriates moneys into and out of the fare-free youth transit program special fund. Requires reports to the Legislature.
Clarifies and expands the types of proposed projects for privately-owned residential properties that are subject to historic review. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes specific deadlines within the facilitated application process to obtain a permit and requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish certain resources and processes to help streamline permit applications. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to select projects to participate in the facilitated application process. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
