Rep. Dee Morikawa

Establishes and appropriates funds for a solar energy storage system loan program to provide asset limited, income constrained, employed households with low-interest loans to purchase and install solar energy storage systems. Establishes and appropriates funds for a renewable energy system installation loan program to provide asset limited, income constrained, employed households with low-interest loans to purchase and install residential photovoltaic and energy storage systems, including battery storage systems. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)

Requires the Department of Education to waive school bus fees for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. Appropriates moneys.

Establishes a state income tax credit for qualified expenses incurred by certain individuals employed by the Department of Education, Hawaiʻi state public library system, or as part of a head start program in a school. Effective 6/30/3000. (SD1)

Clarifies labeling requirements for macadamia nuts. Requires country of origin to be included on the principal display panel of a consumer package of raw or processed macadamia nuts. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)

Requires check cashers to report suspected financial exploitation of elders and vulnerable adults in relation to check cashing. Authorizes a check casher to refuse to cash a check in situations of suspected financial exploitation. Provides immunity for check cashers acting in good faith. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)

Expands the time period by which a civil action for childhood sexual abuse may be initiated, including an otherwise timebarred action. Authorizes a court to require personnel of legal entities to undergo training on traumainformed response. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a two-year nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses paid to retrofit a residence with wind resistive devices. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2023. Sunsets 12/31/2025. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Excludes from the definition of "drug paraphernalia", testing products utilized in determining whether a controlled substance contains chemicals, toxic substances, or hazardous compounds in quantities that can cause physical harm or death, including but not limited to fentanyl test strips. Defines "fentanyl test strip". (SD1)

Requires the commission on water resource management and division of aquatic resources of the department of land and natural resources, in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi and department of health, to conduct research on limu to understand the impacts of groundwater use on groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Requires a joint report to legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Board of Education to hold not less than six community forums annually, with at least one community forum in each county. Requires the Board to include an open forum for public comments on non-agenda items. Requires a report to the Legislature on implementing open forums.