Rep. Scot Matayoshi

Requires the legislative reference bureau to conduct a feasibility study to determine the feasibility of establishing a Hawaii retirement savings program. Subject to a positive finding in the feasibility study, establishes the Hawaii retirement savings board to establish, implement, and maintain the Hawaii retirement savings program to cover private sector employees who are not provided a retirement savings plan by their employers. Appropriates funds to the legislative reference bureau to conduct a market analysis. Prohibits employers that offer retirement savings plans or programs to employees from canceling these plans or programs for an unspecified number of years after July 1, 2019.

Allows a transient accommodations broker to register as a tax collection agent for its operators and plan managers. Requires operators and plan managers to provide a statement to the transient accommodations broker confirming compliance with all applicable land use and tax laws. Requires the operator or plan manager to provide verification of compliance with state and county land use laws. Requires an operator or plan manager to remove a transient accommodation advertisement upon notice that the property is not in compliance with state law or county ordinance. Establishes a 1-time amnesty program for certain delinquent transient accommodations and general excise tax obligations. Authorizes counties to require the disgorgement of profits obtained through unlawful actions. Authorizes counties to adopt ordinances to amortize or phase out transient accommodations. Allocates up to $1,000,000 of TAT revenues to each county, contingent upon the county establishing a process to provide verification of compliance by an operator or plan manager with county land use laws. Makes it unlawful for transient accommodations brokers to engage in business with operators or plan managers or property managers or activity providers that are not in compliance with all state laws and county ordinances. Makes it unlawful for a hosting platform to provide, and collect a fee for, booking services regarding transient accommodations that are not lawfully certified, registered, or permitted under applicable county ordinance.

Adds the impounding of a vehicle as a punishment for any vehicle used in the commission of illegal disposal of solid waste.

Establishes a three-year pilot program which authorizes nonprofit organizations in a county with a population of 500,000 or more to provide shelter to homeless persons, including by hosting temporary encampments on property owned by the organization. Prohibits the host county from enacting ordinances designed to deter the provision of shelter. Limits county liability.

Appropriates funds for the planning and design of a memorial to honor service members of the recent conflicts in the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the various theaters of the Global War on Terrorism, to be located at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe, on the island of Oahu, and replicas of the memorial to be located at state veterans' cemeteries statewide. Appropriates funds. (HB796 HD1)

Establishes a task force within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to research and make recommendations on how to mitigate flooding in Manoa Valley. Requires a report to the Legislature and the Honolulu City Council.

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish magnet schools or convert existing public schools to magnet schools. (HB33 HD1)

Establishes the Teacher Home Assistance Program to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide housing vouchers to certain teachers who are employed by the Department of Education and commit to teach at hard-to-fill schools and charter schools for no less than five years.

Proposes an amendment to the Hawaii State Constitution to allow a recount of votes cast at an election to be conducted in a manner as provided by the Legislature. Effective 01/28/2081. (SD1)

Beginning July 1, 2022, requires persons who use the Na Ala Hele trail system for commercial purposes and applicants for new and renewal commercial use permits in state parks, small boat harbors, and ocean recreation management areas; instructor/operator permits; and common carrier certificates and contract carrier permits covering the transportation of passengers to hold and annually maintain a sustainable tourism certificate from the Hawaii Ecotourism Association, achieve and maintain green business recognition by the Hawaii Green Business Program, and ensure that at least one-third of staff members employed by the applicant who have direct contact with visitors are certified as professional tour guides. Requires the University of Hawaii to update the certification for professional tour guides curriculum and examination, subject to approval by the aha moku advisory committee, by June 30, 2020, and every ten years thereafter. Requires recertification and renewal of certification for professional tour guides every two years.