Rep. Andrew Garrett

By 1/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2028, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study to identify potential sites in the State for an aquaculture park that promotes commercial aquaculture expansion. Requires a report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2025. Makes an appropriation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a sobriety checkpoint special fund to provide funding to county law enforcement agencies for staffing for sobriety checks and processing of persons arrested at sobriety checkpoints. Increases the state vehicle registration fee and establishes the amount to be deposited into the sobriety checkpoint special fund. Appropriates funds into the sobriety checkpoint special fund and out of the special fund as grants-in-aid for the counties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Agriculture's Aquaculture Development Program to conduct a feasibility study to identify potential sites in the State for restorative aquaculture activities. Makes an appropriation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds to support the Hawaiʻi ant lab in mitigating the effects of little fire ants in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Beginning 7/1/2026, amends existing law regarding preemption of local ordinances and regulations regulating the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices as a matter of statewide concern to clarify that the State's preemption power extends solely to the taxation of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices and allows counties to adopt ordinances and regulations that regulate smoking or the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices that do not conflict with and are more stringent than the state law that governs smoking. Prohibits the counties from enacting an ordinance or a regulation that imposes a fee or tax on the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, or electronic smoking devices. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Replaces the position of Deputy to the Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management with the position of Executive Officer, who shall be appointed and managed by the Commission. Authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel. Makes the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources an ex officio member of the Commission on Water Resource Management and provides that the Commission shall elect a chairperson from among its non ex officio members. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management and Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish procedures and safeguards to avoid conflicts of interest. Effective 6/29/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a working group within the University of Hawaiʻi to evaluate possibilities for making community college free for Hawaiʻi residents. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Clarifies that with controverted claims, an injured employee's private health care plan must by default pay for or provide medical care, services, and supplies pending acceptance of the claim or determination of compensability and may seek reimbursement from the employer if accepted or compensable. Establishes a penalty. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)