Rep. Patrick Pihana Branco

Reduces from 500 feet to 100 feet the buffer zones for commercial hemp production and processing. Authorizes hemp to be grown at a residential property under the control of a person licensed under federal law to produce hemp. Repeals authorization from the state department of agriculture as a prerequisite to transport hemp. Authorizes commercial hemp producers to sell whole, unprocessed hemp leaves to consumers, subject to certain requirements. Requires labels that disclose that leaves and hemp products were from hemp grown in the State. Replaces the referenced testing standard authority on labels for hemp products.

Makes unlawful the sale of flavored products for electronic smoking devices, mislabeling of e-liquid products containing nicotine, and sale of tobacco products other than through retail sales via in-person exchange. Establishes penalties. Includes e-liquid and electronic smoking devices in the definition of "tobacco products" for purposes of the cigarette tax and tobacco tax law. Increases the license fee for wholesalers and dealers of tobacco products and retail tobacco permit fee. Requires retailers to pay an additional excise tax on the retail price of electronic smoking devices on and after 7/1/2021. Directs a certain percentage of moneys received from the cigarette tax and tobacco tax to the Hawaii tobacco prevention and control trust fund to establish and fund a comprehensive youth tobacco cessation program. Requires a person under twenty-one years of age who unlawfully purchases or possesses tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices, to complete a tobacco education or use cessation program or perform community service for a first offense. Repeals the electronic smoking device retailer registration unit. Repeals provisions relating to delivery of sales under the cigarette tax and tobacco tax law.

Requires that a majority of the members of the Hawaiian Homes Commission be beneficiaries and on the waitlist. Requires quarterly reporting to the legislature and beneficiaries on land dispositions made during the quarter. Authorizes the governor to establish an inter-agency council. Requires a full accounting of Act 14, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 1995, expenditures within one year. Allows the Hawaiian Homes Commission to retain separate counsel from the attorney general to provide service to the Commission and beneficiaries. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on the implications of creating a position for the director of the department of Hawaiian home lands that is separate from the chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

Requires that the Hawaiian version of a law be held binding if the law in question was originally drafted in Hawaiian and then translated into English.

Requires any advertisement for a transient accommodation or resort time share vacation interest, plan, or unit to include the general excise license number and short-term rental permit number of the operator or plan manager.

Requires persons applying for a commercial marine license to appear in person before DLNR. Prohibits DLNR from issuing or renewing a commercial marine license to an alien crew member who has not been granted permission to land temporarily by federal law. Requires a DLNR permit for black coral taken within the jurisdiction of the State for commercial purposes.

Establishes a process for landowners whose real property is at risk of reasonably foreseeable flooding or whose real property has experienced a flood due to man-made alterations or natural conditions on state lands to petition the department of land and natural resources for a flood mitigation action plan. Authorizes landowners to undertake improvements to the state lands if substantial progress is not made within a certain amount of time.

Allows a qualified applicant to change their sex designation on their own birth certificate.

Transitions from lump sum deferred deposit transactions to installment-based short-term loans. Specifies various consumer protection requirements for short-term loans, including interest and fee caps, allowable outstanding loans, a cooling-off period, and the right to rescind. Beginning 1/1/2022, requires persons operating as short-term loan companies to be licensed. Specifies licensing requirements for short-term loan companies.

Requires all moped and motor scooter rental companies to ensure the rider wears a safety helmet supplied either by the rental company or by the renter prior to operating the moped or motor scooter. Exempts riders with a motorcycle license from this requirement. Prohibits the rental of any moped or motor scooter with aftermarket modifications. Amends the definition of motor scooter.