Rep. Cedric Gates

Beginning 1/1/2024, prohibits the issuance of building permits for new single-family dwellings that are part of a development of ten or more dwellings and do not include a rooftop photovoltaic energy generating system, under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Hawaiʻi state energy office to use moneys from the energy security special fund to administer variances. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Requires the department of transportation to perform routine inspections of highways in the state highway system that are at risk of rockslides every five years and after major rainfall events. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Beginning 07/01/2024, establishes the office of administrative hearings to conduct contested case hearings in the department of budget and finance, department of land and natural resources, and department of taxation. Appropriates funds to establish the office of administrative hearings. Repeals 07/01/2026.

Authorizes the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds to finance capital improvements to various irrigation systems. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Specifies that a government agency does not assume ownership or jurisdiction over a disputed road solely through maintenance or repair activities. Authorizes the State to transfer ownership of roads in favor of counties by quitclaim if requested by the county. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaiʻi for the college of tropical agriculture and human resources to establish an agriculture education coordinator position. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Establishes and appropriates funds for a solar energy storage system loan program to provide asset limited, income constrained, employed households with low-interest loans to purchase and install solar energy storage systems. Establishes and appropriates funds for a renewable energy system installation loan program to provide asset limited, income constrained, employed households with low-interest loans to purchase and install residential photovoltaic and energy storage systems, including battery storage systems. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)

Requires the Department of Education to assess its facilities and provide the legislature with a list of priority facilities in each county at which the installation of renewable energy systems on school facilities would provide the most benefit, provide a list of priority play areas on school campuses in each county that are most in need of covered play areas to protect children from over-exposure to heat and ultraviolet rays, and assess and report on the feasibility of including renewable energy systems on play area covers on school campuses. Requires a report to the legislature. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Requires the chief election officer to develop and distribute a voter information guide for all candidates running for state office, including candidates running for any trustee position of the office of Hawaiian affairs. Requires the office of elections to submit options for different voter information guides and their respective cost estimates to the legislature before the Regular Session of 2024.

Makes explicit the counties' authority to regulate hosting platforms providing booking services for short-term rentals. Includes swapping, bartering, or exchange of a residential dwelling, or portion thereof, in the definition of "short-term rental". Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)