Rep. Elle Cochran

Repeals the existing conditions under which government entities may seek reimbursement for search or rescue expenses and instead requires a government entity of the State to impose and collect a fee for search or rescue expenses for persons who require rescue after leaving a hiking trail to enter an area closed to the public or hiking on a trail closed to the public, with a sign giving notice of the closure. Requires a report or documentation of the search and rescue to be submitted to the Department of the Attorney General. Takes effect 7/1/2042. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health for long-term monitoring of air quality for certain communities impacted by the August 2023 Maui wildfire, as well as support for research efforts to better understand the environmental concerns linked to urban fires, including funding for the establishment of permanent environmental health specialist IV positions. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Takes effect 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Establishes a state income tax credit for qualified expenses incurred by certain individuals employed by the Department of Education, a public charter school, the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, or as part of a head start program in a school. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Establishes a working group within the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office to make recommendations for the reuse and recycling of electric vehicle batteries and report to the Legislature. Takes effect 1/1/2060. (SD1)

Appropriates funds for four deputy public defender positions within the Office of the Public Defender and requires that one of the positions be assigned to the family court section. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Takes effect 4/14/2112. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to increase the base budget of the Department of Human Services' Homeless Programs Office. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to increase the funding of certain Medicaid home and community-based services, including adult day programs and residential services offered in community care foster family homes and expanded adult residential care homes. Requires the Department of Human Services to obtain matching funds. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. (SD1)

Extends, under certain conditions, the family leave period under state law, for up to eight additional weeks for employees who are unable to perform their employment duties due to the birth of a child who is required to stay in a neonatal intensive care unit. Amends the definition of "because of sex" in section 3781, HRS, that governs discriminatory employment practices, to include neonatal care. Requires the Civil Rights Commission to amend its administrative rules to ensure that neonatal care is included as a "related medical condition" wherever the phrase "pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition" or any similar phrase is used. (SD1)

Amends income tax brackets. Temporarily amends the applicable percentage of the employment-related expenses for which the child and dependent care income tax credit may be claimed and permanently provides for a disallowance period when there is a final administrative or judicial decision finding that the claim was due to fraud or disallowing the credit. Amends state conformity with certain federal deductions. Takes effect 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Requires the Department of Education and public charter schools to take certain steps to report incidents of harassment and implement procedures for handling harassment of educational workers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)