Prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of any waste or disposal facility on land that is near or above a significant aquifer as determined by the Department of Health. Reduces the required buffer zone around waste or disposal facilities.
Rep. Terez Amato
Sponsored bills
Effective 7/1/2027, establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources, through which the Department will collect a fee from visitors for a license to visit a state park, forest, hiking trail, or other state natural area. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Special Fund effective 7/1/2025. Allocates a certain amount of transient accommodations tax revenues to the special fund. Requires report to the Legislature on strategic plan and timetable for objectives and implementation of the environmental stewardship fee program. Appropriates funds for the environmental stewardship fee strategic plan and positions for the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program.
Requires electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers to submit certifications with the Department of Taxation annually, stating that the manufacturer's products comply with federal regulations. Requires the Department of Taxation to maintain a directory of manufacturers of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids whose certifications the Department approved. Imposes penalties.
Maddy summaryHB 1273 removes a tax deduction for real estate investment trusts (REITs) by disallowing their "dividends-paid deduction" for tax purposes. This change directly affects REITs operating in the state, requiring them to pay tax on income they previously could offset with this deduction. The policy takes effect for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 legislative session.
Transfers the Hawaii Child Nutrition Programs Agency from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture and codifies its establishment. Establishes a grant program to be administered by the Agency to support the funding of certain initiatives for the State's public schools. Appropriates funds for grants. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish additional permanent mental health practitioner positions within the Division of Student Success' Counseling and Student Development Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include any individual or household whose monthly income is equal to or less than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level. Appropriates funds.
Amends the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to address carbon emissions. Incrementally increases the tax rate over time. Establishes a refundable tax credit to mitigate the effect of a carbon emissions tax on taxpayers. Reenacts the agricultural development and food security special fund. Requires reports to the Legislature.
Establishes the Hawaii Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council. Requires an action plan and reports to the Governor and Legislature by certain dates. Establishes positions. Authorizes the hiring of consultants to assist the advisory council. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)