HB 2153 establishes the Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program, which provides financial incentives to help retain law enforcement officers. The bill allocates state funds specifically for these retention bonuses, directly affecting eligible law enforcement officers in Hawaii. The key mechanism is the state appropriating dedicated funding to cover the bonus payments. This policy change creates a formal, funded program to support officer retention efforts.
Establishes and appropriates funds for the Neighborhood Security Watch Grant Program to help fund certain activities and rental payments of established neighborhood security watch groups and neighborhood citizen patrol groups that rent government-owned facilities for a fee to carry out their duties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies and requires the revenue to be deposited into the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Establishes the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Appropriates funds for a position in the Department of Taxation. Appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
HB 2600 allocates state funds to hire one full-time Deputy Public Defender III position within the Office of the Public Defender. This bill directly affects the Office of the Public Defender by providing budgetary resources to support its staffing needs. The legislation is purely procedural, focusing solely on funding a specific staff position without altering legal standards or procedures.
Appropriates funds for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands projects eligible for general fund revenues that are generated by increases in transient accommodations tax collections and intended to be expended equally across projects related to natural resources, climate resilience, and destination management. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
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.
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 Judiciary to contract for legal services for residential tenants in actions or proceedings for possession under certain circumstances. Authorizes attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide legal services to residential tenants. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the Victim Witness Assistance Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
HB 610 creates a new Cold Case Investigation Unit within the Department of the Attorney General and appropriates funding for its operations. The unit will focus on reviewing unresolved criminal cases, directly affecting the Attorney General's Department by providing dedicated resources for these investigations. Key provisions include establishing the unit's structure and allocating state funds for its staffing and activities. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 3000.
