Rep. Matthew S. LoPresti

Establishes provisions relating to civil remedies for discriminatory reporting to a law enforcement officer. Provides that a person who summons or reports to a law enforcement officer, without reason to suspect a crime, offense, or imminent danger has occurred or is occurring, because of that person's belief or perception involving a member of a protected class shall be civilly liable.

Establishes a list of substances allowed for use as pesticides and fertilizers on state property. Provides that the use of substances not specifically allowed as pesticides and fertilizers on state property is prohibited, unless certain exceptions, a waiver, or exemption apply. Requires a state department or agency seeking a waiver to apply to the department of agriculture. Effective July 1, 2023.

Establishes a pilot program in the department of public safety to hire five social workers to accompany officers on incidents involving persons that may suffer from substance addiction, mental illness, homelessness, or other catastrophic afflictions. Appropriates funds.

Establishes within the Department of Human Services a 4-year pilot program to provide housing and child care vouchers to qualified applicants who will soon complete, or have recently completed, a term of imprisonment as a sentenced offender, and who have or will have sole or primary custody of 1 or more children under the age of 18. Requires a voucher recipient to be employed at least 20 hours per week or be employed and attend an educational program for a combined total of at least 20 hours per week. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys.

Establishes a shortage differential salary incentive program within the department of education to provide shortage differential pay for teachers working in special education, hard-to-staff locations, and Hawaiian immersion positions. Provides automatic step increases in teacher salaries for each year of satisfactory service completed by public school teachers. Increases the amount of time available to teachers for planning, preparation, and collaboration.

Requires the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation to establish the kauhale program to provide individual or shared micro housing units and services to homeless individuals and families who meet the definition of chronically homeless or are currently homeless. Requires reports to the legislature. Appropriates funds.

Legalizes, regulates, and taxes cannabis and manufactured cannabis products for responsible, adult use. Exempts sales of cannabis and manufactured cannabis products for medical use from the general excise tax. Clarifies that qualifying out-of-state patients have the same rights and privileges under the medical cannabis law. Allows qualifying out-of-state patients to cultivate medical cannabis.

Establishes Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts for all working taxpayers. Defines qualifying individuals and eligible expenses. Outlines the requirements and limitations of the accounts. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2022

Requires the department of agriculture to submit an annual report to the legislature on pesticide inspections and compliance investigations, including location, type, and enforcement action taken, conducted in the preceding year. For the first violation of the pesticide law by commercial and private pesticide applicators, eliminates the written warning penalty prior to imposition of stricter penalties. Increases monetary fines for pesticide violations.

Establishes duration, environmental, and other restrictions on public lands leased to the military.