Amends the county exemptions from building permit and building code requirements to ensure that Hawaii's communities are not suspended from participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. (SD1)
Authorizes electronic monitoring and surveillance of offenders in programs that offer alternatives to incarceration. (HB1246 CD1)
Permits duly incorporated humane societies and duly incorporated societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals to petition for full custody of an impounded pet animal or equine animal prior to the filing of certain criminal charges against the owner or custodian of the pet animal or equine animal. Allows a pet animal or equine animal to be destroyed by the petitioner prior to final disposition of certain criminal charges if the pet animal or equine animal is a danger to itself or others. Clarifies that an acquittal or dismissal in a criminal proceeding does not preclude civil proceedings under animal cruelty offenses. (HB1516 CD1)
Appropriates moneys for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to develop a communication and outreach plan for emergency management and disaster preparedness, update and publish the Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards, and conduct education and outreach throughout the State. (HB571 CD1)
Expands the types of rental housing projects that can be exempt from general excise taxes. Allows the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to exempt certain affordable rental housing projects from general excise tax and use tax costs. Allows the terms of the section 201H-36(a)(5) prevailing wages to be deemed the prevailing wages serving as the basis of compliance with chapter 104, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the construction of certain rental housing projects. (HB1179 CD1)
Makes certain sections of the Code of Ethics inapplicable to technology transfer activities sponsored by University of Hawaii if the activities comply with the regulatory framework and research compliance program approved by the Board of Regents. Requires the Board of Regents to submit written status reports to the Legislature every year. Repeals on June 30, 2022. (HB425 CD1)
Allows the John A. Burns School of Medicine to continue to receive a portion of the physician workforce assessment fee for ongoing physician workforce assessment and planning to support the recruitment and retention of physicians in the State, particularly those in rural and medically underserved areas. (HB428 CD1)
Establishes the Innovation and Commercialization Initiative Program to expressly give the University of Hawaii the legal authority to create, promote, and participate in new economic enterprises and expand workforce opportunities based on inventions and discoveries generated by or at the University. Repeals on June 30, 2021. (HB847 CD1)
Assists small business in the state procurement process by establishing a temporary small business assistance initiative, small business advisory group, small business office, and small business procurement coordinator position within the State Procurement Office. Appropriates funds. (HB1382 CD1)
Establishes the Carbon Farming Task Force within the Office of Planning to identify agricultural and aquacultural practices to improve soil health and promote carbon sequestration in the State's agricultural and aquacultural sectors. Appropriates funds. (HB1578 CD1)
