Rep. Cedric Gates

Requires the board of education to hold no less than six community forums annually, with at least one forum in each county. Requires the board to include an open forum for public comments on non-agenda items. Requires a report to the legislature on implementing open forums. Eliminates the superintendent of education as a voting member constituting the public employer for the purpose of negotiating a collective bargaining agreement with personnel of the department of education. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Adds Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol as another name for Delta 6 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, on schedule I of the list of controlled substances.

Exempts any person from the post-arrival mandatory selfquarantine if the person receives a negative test result prior to arrival. Allows the governor to establish statewide conditions for exemption. Requires certain COVID-19 tests for travelers who do not have a test result upon arrival to avoid mandatory self-quarantine. Requires any person who does not obtain a negative test result for COVID-19 pre-arrival to be responsible for all costs associated with that person's mandatory self-quarantine. Prohibits the suspension of this Act except by legislative approval via a concurrent resolution. Repeals on 12/31/2021. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Lowers conveyance tax rates for properties with a value under $2,000,000. Increases conveyance tax rates for investment properties. Requires a percentage of conveyance taxes collected to be deposited into the housing finance revolving fund. Effective 1/1/2022.

Allows the court and the prosecution to ensure a prompt trial for certain proceedings involving minors. Allows a court to prohibit residency from certain areas for persons convicted of a crime against minors or sexual offense. Amends Hawaii Rules of Evidence to allow a child to testify before the court using teleconferencing or videoconferencing if an in-person testimony will cause harm to the child.

Reduces from 500 feet to 100 feet the buffer zones for commercial hemp production and processing. Authorizes hemp to be grown at a residential property under the control of a person licensed under federal law to produce hemp. Repeals authorization from the state department of agriculture as a prerequisite to transport hemp. Authorizes commercial hemp producers to sell whole, unprocessed hemp leaves to consumers, subject to certain requirements. Requires labels that disclose that leaves and hemp products were from hemp grown in the State. Replaces the referenced testing standard authority on labels for hemp products.

Establishes the commission on fiscal responsibility within the department of taxation to review and make recommendations on expenditures, revenue enhancements, and tax policy. Requires a report to the legislature.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a five-year food hub pilot program to increase access to local food. Provides for the award of grant funding to qualified applicants wishing to establish or expand a food hub. Requires reports to the Legislature. Makes an appropriation.

Designates the fourth day in January of each year as United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka Day. Effective 7/1/2065. (HD1)

Requires the department of land and natural resources, in conjunction with the counties, to develop an invasive species flood control plan to prevent, contain, and mitigate hazardous tree growth impacting streams and waterways. Requires submittal of the plan to the legislature prior to the 2022 regular session.