This governor's message serves as a formal notification that the legislature has enacted Act 067, which amends the Small Business Regulatory Review Board. The law requires the board to evaluate proposed state rules to determine if they will significantly impact a large number of small businesses. If a rule is found to have such an impact, the board can suggest changes to reduce that effect or recommend withdrawing the rule entirely. Additionally, the board must submit an annual report to the legislature summarizing its reviews and any recommendations it has made.
This bill, signed into law on June 21, 2024, establishes special license plates for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars in Hawaii. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of honorable discharge and specific documentation related to their service, such as Purple Heart awards, prisoner of war status, or service near Pearl Harbor. The plates will feature distinct designs and text, including "COMBAT WOUNDED" for Purple Heart recipients and "IRAQ VETERAN" or "AFGHANISTAN VETERAN" for those who served in those conflicts. This law directly affects eligible military veterans and their families by offering a way to recognize their service through customized vehicle registration.
This bill, signed into law by the Governor on June 21, 2024, updates the design and purchasing rules for vehicle number plates in Hawaii. It mandates that plates issued before January 1, 2025, display "Hawaii," while those issued on or after that date must display "Hawai'i," with both versions allowing for uppercase, lowercase, or mixed letter casing. The legislation also establishes a centralized purchasing system where the Honolulu County Finance Director contracts for all plates on behalf of the state, with costs shared proportionally among the counties. Additionally, it authorizes the issuance of special number plates for registered electric vehicle owners to promote environmental conservation.
This message from the Governor of Hawaii informs the Legislature that HB159 was signed into law on June 21, 2024. The bill amends state statutes regarding liquor licenses to specify the exact information required when applying for, renewing, or transferring such licenses. It mandates that applications must include detailed personal details for all owners and officers, along with a precise description of the premises where the license will be used. Additionally, the law establishes that knowingly making false statements in these applications is a misdemeanor offense.
This message from the Governor of Hawaii informs the Legislature that HB2488 was signed into law on June 21, 2024. The bill amends the composition of the Taxation Board of Review to consist of three salaried members appointed by the Governor for six-year terms. It specifies that the board's chairperson must be an attorney or a certified public accountant with experience in Hawaii state taxes and establishes rules for filling vacancies and appointing a vice chairperson. The changes take effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill, signed into law on June 21, 2024, updates Hawaii state income and estate tax laws to align with the federal Internal Revenue Code as it stood as of December 31, 2023. The primary mechanism involves amending specific state statutes to ensure that definitions of taxable income and estate values match current federal standards, while explicitly excluding certain federal recovery rebates and grants from state gross income calculations. Additionally, the legislation incorporates specific federal provisions related to pandemic relief, such as loan forgiveness and disaster tax relief, into the state tax code for applicable years. This conformity ensures that Hawaii's tax system remains consistent with federal rules for determining what constitutes taxable income and estate assets for residents and decedents.
This message from the Governor of Hawaii informs the Legislature that HB2369, known as Act 068, was signed into law on June 21, 2024. The bill amends state statutes to establish specific terms for loans provided through the Hawaii Community-Based Economic Development Technical and Financial Assistance Program. Under the new rules, loans can be issued for up to $250,000 with a maximum repayment period of ten years and an interest rate between 3% and 10%. Additionally, the director of business, economic development, and tourism has the authority to defer loan repayment for up to two years.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green, directs Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission to explicitly evaluate how the state's reliance on fossil fuels impacts greenhouse gas emissions when reviewing utility costs and projects. It requires the commission to consider specific factors such as price volatility, the cost of importing fuel, supply reliability, and the full lifecycle emissions of energy projects, which include extraction, manufacturing, and disposal stages. Additionally, the law gives the commission the authority to approve higher short-term costs for renewable energy if they help reduce long-term fossil fuel dependence, while allowing a waiver for emissions assessments on projects that do not involve combustion.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 055 into law on June 20, 2024. The act clarifies the responsibilities of the Chief Energy Officer within the State Energy Office regarding renewable energy reporting and program development. Specifically, it mandates that the Chief Energy Officer submit detailed annual reports to the legislature on clean energy initiatives and fund expenditures before each regular session begins. Additionally, the law requires the officer to create a program for state agencies to use renewable energy and to work with federal partners to secure funding for Hawaii's renewable energy goals. These changes update existing statutes to ensure clearer accountability and reporting on the state's energy security and conservation efforts.
This message from the Governor of Hawaii informs the state legislature that he plans to veto 17 specific bills due to objections regarding their contents. The document lists the bill numbers and their general topics, which include budget allocations, contractor regulations, collective bargaining, housing, and emergency management. By issuing these proclamations, the Governor is formally notifying lawmakers that he intends to reject these measures before the legislative session concludes. This action requires the legislature to decide whether to override the vetoes or allow the bills to fail.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB2020 into law on June 20, 2024. The law amends state statutes to broaden the definition of "renewable energy producer" for the purpose of leasing public lands. Under the new rules, the definition now includes a wider variety of energy sources, such as hydrogen fuels and district heating or cooling services, while allowing up to 25 percent of the generated power to come from fossil fuels. The changes apply to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, which will use this expanded definition when deciding which public lands to lease for energy projects. The new provisions take effect on July 1, 2024.
This bill is a procedural message from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature confirming that he signed Act 056 into law on June 20, 2024. The act itself directs the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to collaborate with the University of Hawaii on workforce development programs related to the state's proposed Hawaii Pacific hydrogen hub. It also appropriates $5.5 million for fiscal year 2023-2024 and $10 million for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support the development of this clean energy project.
