Rep. Cory Chun

Makes permanent the amendments made by Act 163, SLH 2023, to the state earned income tax credit and refundable food/excise tax credit. Amends the income thresholds and credit amounts for the low-income household renters tax credit and refundable food/excise tax credit. Amends the state earned income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Maddy summaryHB 444 modifies criminal law by removing the requirement that perpetrators must know or reasonably believe a victim is 60 years or older. This change applies to certain crimes against seniors, making it easier to prosecute offenders even if they did not know the victim's age. The bill directly affects criminal cases where seniors (60+) are victims, streamlining prosecution by focusing on the victim's age rather than the perpetrator's knowledge. The policy change aims to strengthen legal protections without altering the core crime definitions.

Extends the State's energy-efficiency portfolio standards from 2030 to 2045 and updates the standards. Authorizes the public utilities commission to adjust the 2045 and interim standards.

Requires the Judicial Council to conduct a comprehensive review of the Hawaiʻi Penal Code and to recommend proposed changes. Requires the Judicial Council to appoint an advisory committee to assist in the review, and allows the Judicial Council to also appoint a reporter and other staff as necessary. Requires the advisory committee to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Requires the University of Hawaiʻi Water Resources Research Center and the Sea Grant College Program to develop an overlay with the Hawaiʻi Cesspool Prioritization Tool to identify specific priority areas in which the county sewer system or other centralized treatment system may most feasibly be expanded or constructed to reduce or eliminate cesspools before 1/1/2050. Makes an appropriation. (CD1)

Establishes a pre-litigation mediation procedure for tenancies that are subject to the eviction moratorium issued under the Governor's emergency proclamations relating to wildfires once the eviction moratorium expires. Restricts when landlord remedies are available depending on the amount of rent due. Appropriates funds to the Judiciary for mediation services. Effective 7/1/2024, except the new pre-litigation procedures are effective on the expiration of the final eviction moratorium. Repeals certain provisions on 12/31/2026, or on the one-year anniversary of the expiration of the Governor's final eviction moratorium emergency supplementary proclamation relating to wildfires, whichever occurs sooner. (CD1)

Authorizes law enforcement and fire officers to enter and inspect any licensee's or permittee's premises, under certain conditions, to verify compliance with the State's Fireworks Control Law. Establishes procedures for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct administrative inspections of controlled premises. Requires certain licensees and permittees to keep records and maintain inventories. Requires licensees and permittees to report any stolen fireworks or articles pyrotechnic. Authorizes a law enforcement agency or county fire department to safely dispose of confiscated fireworks and articles pyrotechnic. Requires violators to be held liable for storage and disposal costs. Specifies that each type of prohibited firework constitutes a separate violation. Authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement, in addition to the counties, to enforce the Fireworks Control Law. (CD1)

Appropriates funds to establish a Limited English Proficiency Language Access Coordinator position and for programming support for LEP community projects within the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency. (CD1)

Increases the maximum fine for violations of the fire protection laws. Specifies that each day a violation exists or continues to exist shall constitute a distinct and separate offense. Raises the criminal penalty for the offense of arson in the fourth degree to a class C felony if the offense was committed during the time period and within the geographic area in which a red flag warning was in effect. Provides that the state of mind requirement with respect to the attendant circumstance that the red flag warning was in effect is negligence. (SD1)

Clarifies that the Governor's and mayors' emergency management powers shall be consistent with the state constitution. Clarifies the scope of the comprehensive emergency management plan. Clarifies the powers of the Governor and mayors to extend or terminate a state of emergency and local state of emergency, respectively. Shortens the duration of price control periods from ninety-six hours to seventy-two hours. (CD1)