Establishes a regenerative tourism framework under the Hawaii state planning act for the State's visitor industry that advances environmental sustainability, ecological sensitivity, Hawaiian cultural preservation, and the economic security of Hawaii's people.
Establishes an environmental surcharge on visitor accommodations. Establishes the green tourism special fund, to be funded largely by the environmental surcharge, to invest in the State's transition to a clean energy economy, conservation of natural resources, and sustainability and resiliency.
Establishes the hike safe card program and search and rescue special fund to be administered by the department of land and natural resources. Requires government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search and rescue expenses for persons who require rescue after leaving a hiking trail to enter a prohibited area or hiking on a trail closed to the public and persons who acted recklessly. Exempts persons who possess a hike safe card from search and rescue cost reimbursement, unless a search and rescue response is required due to a reckless act or omission. Repeals on 6/30/2025.
Requires the department of agriculture to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides used. Effective 1/1/2023, establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools and state and county public parks.
Permits counties to adopt ordinances permitting developers to make a cash payment of fifteen per cent of the gross revenue of the development in lieu of providing the required reserved housing under the county's affordable housing program. Specifies the HCDA may permit cash payments of fifteen per cent of the gross revenue of the development project in lieu of providing reserved housing.
Establishes a conveyance tax vacancy surcharge on the conveyance tax for prolonged vacant property.
Defines broadband equity. Clarifies the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office's duties to promote and support digital equity and broadband deployment.
Establishes a temporary fetal alcohol spectrum disorders task force within the Department of Health for administrative purposes. Requires a report to the Legislature. Establishes the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders special fund, to be administered by the Department of Human Services, and which shall consist of federal funds and interest earned on those funds.
Increases certain penalties for the crimes of assault, burglary, criminal property damage, and theft by one grade.
Establishes limits on the government's use of facial recognition systems, with certain specified exceptions.
