Rep. Cedric Gates

Requires the department of human services to establish a neighbor islands blind and visually impaired service pilot program that supplements existing statewide services by providing training and other services to neighbor island residents who are blind or visually impaired. Requires the department of human services to establish a working group to develop a pilot program implementation plan and submit the plan to the legislature before the regular session of 2024. Requires a report to the legislature on the pilot program before the regular session of 2029. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (CD2)

Designates limu kala (Sargassum echinocarpum) as the official Hawaii state limu. (SD1)

Requires DLNR to develop and publish a website and mobile application that includes the application processes, including a means of collecting any fees, for a permit, license, or reservation needed to conduct recreational and commercial activities in the State. Requires DLNR to make available existing application processes in a digital format to be used on the website and mobile application. Appropriates funds for the establishment of the website and mobile application. (CD1)

Clarifies that any provision in a private agreement contained in a conveyance of land recorded on or before 7/8/2003 that have since expired but have not been renewed and recorded in the bureau of conveyances are prohibited from restricting bona fide agricultural uses and activities on agricultural land. (SD1)

Allows the department of agriculture to extend the agricultural park lease of any lessee who holds a lease with a remaining term of fifteen years or less, if the land covered by the lease is twenty-five acres or less and located in a county with a population of less than five hundred thousand. (CD1)

Allows the use of battery-charged security fences used for non-agricultural purposes, under certain circumstances. (CD1)

Increases the maximum administrative and criminal penalties for violators of the Hawaii pesticides law. (CD1)

Requires the Board of Education to work with the Department of Education to conduct an analysis on the necessary timeline and appropriate process for making computer science a graduation requirement by no later than the 2030-2031 school year. Requires the Board of Education to determine whether making computer science a graduation requirement would be in the best interests of public school students and the public. Requires the Board of Education to make a determination on how students could be allowed to complete computer science courses as a substitute for core academic courses to satisfy graduation credit requirements, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Makes intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a sports official a class C felony. Authorizes a court to enjoin the offender from attending any sports event of the type at which the sports official was engaged in the lawful discharge of the sports official's duties. (SD1)

Authorizes psychiatrists or advanced practice registered nurses, after examination of a person for assisted community treatment indication, to request assistance from the attorney general to file an assisted community treatment petition. Authorizes the family court to use online hearings for assisted community treatment petitions. Clarifies provision of notice for assisted community treatment petitions. Authorizes any interested party to request assistance from the attorney general to file a petition for an extension of assisted community treatment. Extends the time period that a family court may order continued assisted community treatment. Reduces the time period that a family court needs to determine whether assisted community treatment should continue. (CD1)