Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto

Establishes and appropriates funds for a Regional Nutrient Cycling Pilot Program on Maui. Requires DOA to report on the efficacy of the pilot program. (HB2102 HD2)

Ensures certain benefits under the federal Affordable Care Act are preserved under Hawaii law, by prohibiting health insurance entities from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion and prohibiting health insurance entities from using an individual's gender to determine premiums or contributions. (HB2126 HD1)

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Hilo for programs, studies, and activities related to the prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease. (HB2104 HD1)

Requires the counties to establish a medical cannabis collectives registration system for regulating and taxing the distribution of medical cannabis. Allows primary caregivers and qualifying patients to assert the medical use of cannabis as a defense rather than an affirmative defense under the medical use of cannabis law. Allows qualifying patients to transfer medical cannabis between themselves. Appropriates funds to the counties to establish and administer medical cannabis collectives. (HB2664 HD1)

Amends the offense of abuse of family or household members to provide for felony, misdemeanor, and petty misdemeanor penalties. Expands the family court's jurisdiction over certain enumerated offenses committed against family or household members. Repeals the prohibition on deferred acceptance of guilty or no contest pleas in cases involving abuse of family or household members. Requires that no-contact and stay-away orders issued during the pendency of a criminal case or as a condition of probation be enforced regardless of whether the defendant signed a written acknowledgment of the order, provided that the defendant was informed on the record of the terms and conditions of the order in open court. Requires that no-contact and stay-away orders issued during the pendency of trial cases involving abuse of family or household members or certain enumerated offenses be automatically converted after the defendant's conviction to a new protective order that shall remain in effect for a fixed reasonable period as the court deems appropriate, unless the victim or witness requests otherwise.

Requires certain persons to immediately report a potential tort claim to the family court when that person has reason to believe that a child in foster custody has suffered an injury that may arise to a tort claim. Establishes procedures for the family court to allow a child in foster custody who has suffered an injury to seek outside legal representation for a claim of damages as a result of a tort. (HB1885 HD1)

Establishes an income tax deduction for political contributions.

Appropriates moneys to the office of elections for "I voted" stickers to be distributed at polling places. (HB532 HD1)

Prohibits government contracts to develop or house inmates in out-of-state private correctional facilities. Clarifies that the State may contract with federal, state, and municipal governments to house inmates and develop correctional facilities.