Rep. Cedric Gates

Includes electronic smoking devices within the definition of "tobacco products", as used in the cigarette tax and tobacco tax law. Establishes a tax of ten per cent for the wholesale price for electronic smoking devices. Allocates a portion of funds collected on excise taxes on electronic smoking devices to the trauma system special fund, community health centers special fund, emergency medical services special fund, and tobacco enforcement special fund. Permits funds in the tobacco enforcement special fund to be used to enforce provisions prohibiting the sale and distribution of electronic smoking devices to, and possession or use of electronic smoking devices by, persons under the age of twenty-one.

Appropriates funds to DHS to restore basic adult dental benefits to medicaid enrollees. Requires DHS to obtain the maximum federal matching funds available for this expenditure.

Requires the office of the lieutenant governor to convene a working group to examine the feasibility of establishing and implementing a kauhale pilot program based on specified criteria to provide shelter and other services to homeless individuals in the State and to submit a report of the working group's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature prior to the regular session of 2024.

Establishes licensure for school psychologists consistent with National Association of School Psychologists standards. Clarifies that the exemptions from licensure as a psychologist apply to those persons employed as school psychologists by an educational institution and practicing only within a school setting. Prohibits private practice by school psychologists. Renames the Hawaii teacher standards board the Hawaii teacher standards and school psychologists board; amends the composition of the board to include two school psychologists and requires the board to submit a report to the legislature. Sunsets 7/1/2026.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts received from the sale of hearing aids.

Requires the Department of Health to post on its website separate reports for various visits, violations, plans, and confirmations the Department performs or issues of certain care facilities. Establishes deadlines for each report type. Requires the Department of Health to log all reports in a database designed for easy public posting. Requires all facilities inspected by the Department of Health to maintain certain records and notify the Executive Office on Aging, Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and appropriate county offices on aging of initial inspection visit dates.

Establishes a task force to review and recommend specific actions to ensure that Hawaii's food imports are sourced, transported, stored, and distributed in compliance with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, and develop specific recommendations to ensure that all foods and brands imported into Hawaii do not mislead or confuse the public.

Establishes the mitigation of the climate effects of commercial air transportation task force to identify, analyze, and make recommendations to mitigate the carbon load of, contributions to global warming made by, and effects on the climate caused by commercial air travel to the State.