Establishes a geothermal resources development permit system. Prohibits hydraulic fracturing. Appropriates funds to the county of Hawaii as a grant-in-aid to administer the permit system.
Establishes a green fee surcharge on transient accommodations for the purposes of funding workforce and services that promote certain environmental goals. Repeals on June 30, 2031.
Specifies that employees' retirement system payment of refunds and benefits may be paid into individual, joint, and trust accounts of financial institutions.
Requires the university of Hawaii environmental center to conduct ongoing studies of the environmental impacts of sewage spills on affected coral reefs and submit an annual report to the legislature prior to the convening of each regular session. Appropriates moneys.
Requires the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with agricultural growers and researchers to develop and implement a program to safely distribute disease- and insect-free tropical plant materials to Hawaii farmers. Appropriates funds.
Increases the homestead exemption for all persons up to $2,000,000 and requires that the real property be the principal residence.
Amends the environmental response, energy, and food security tax (barrel tax) to tax various fossil fuels at a rate equivalent to $40 per metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions in 2022. Incrementally increases the barrel tax rate to be equivalent to a carbon price of $80 per metric ton of carbon emissions in 2030. Amends the distribution of barrel tax revenues. Renames the barrel tax as the environmental response, energy, carbon emissions, and food security tax. Effective 1/1/2022.
Prohibits BLNR from approving dispositions that authorize or have the effect of authorizing the diversion of water from streams except under specified criteria. Deposits moneys collected via land dispositions that authorize or have the effect of authorizing the diversion of water from streams into the forest stewardship fund.
Beginning 1/1/2031, prohibits underground injection unless authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit obtained from the director of health.
Requires the department of education to ensure that the department's annual budget request to the legislature includes adequate funding for Hawaiian education. Requires the university of Hawaii board of regents to make support of Hawaiian education partnerships a benchmark when developing the university's annual budget request.
