Rep. Gene Ward

Increases the bonus for teachers who achieve and maintain a current national board certification from $5,000 to $10,000. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Office of Entrepreneurship. Authorizes the use of the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund to fund a program in partnership with the Office that creates opportunities in film, media, electronic sports, and creative industries for new businesses. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Exempts food and groceries from certain healthcare-related goods or services that were not the general excise tax. Expands general excise tax exemptions to include purchased under the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes additional regulations for the registration and use of electric bicycles. Amends the definition of electric bicycles subject to various state laws and classifies electric bicycles by top assisted speed. Defines "electric micro mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro mobility devices. Prohibits anyone under fifteen from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Increasing the age for those required to wear a helmet when operating a bicycle. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

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)

Maddy summaryHB 146 appropriates funds to the Hawai'i Judiciary to support its 'Ōlelo Hawai'i Initiatives, which promote the use of the Hawaiian language in court settings. The bill provides specific funding for these programs, directly affecting the Judiciary's operations and language accessibility services. It does not change existing laws but allocates resources to advance the Judiciary's existing language preservation efforts, effective July 1, 2030. (Note: The abstract's "7/1/3000" appears to be a typo; the intended effective date is 2030.)

Excludes from the definition of "development" for purposes of coastal zone management restrictions, the reconstruction, under certain circumstances, of structures destroyed in the August 8, 2023, wildfires in Lahaina, Maui.

Amends the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended, to authorize the transfer of a living beneficiary's place on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' waitlist for any residential, agricultural, or pastoral tract to a qualified application successor who is at least one-fourth Hawaiian, if the beneficiary dies. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Recognizes prior teaching experience at an equal salary rating for teachers entering or reentering into the service of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to utilize student education partnerships to increase the amount of mental health care providers in correctional facilities across the State. Appropriates funds.