Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a two-year-pilot program within the Department of Human Services to provide temporary financial stabilization assistance to families with students identified as experiencing homelessness. Funds the program through the Department of Human Services using allowable Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds. Requires Department of Education Complex Area Community Homeless Concerns Liaison to make approved purchases. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Increases the number of enterprise zones that may be nominated by each county. Authorizes enterprise zone designation for census tracts that contain the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Allow businesses not established in an enterprise zone to qualify for enterprise zone benefits; provided that they have entered into a binding collaboration or contract with a business that is established in the census tract that contains the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine or the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Defines and provides requirements for the use of a portable solar generation device. Provides that electric utility companies are not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device. Requires each portable solar generation device to be registered with the Public Utilities Commission. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices, at no cost to the customer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHB 1602 allocates funds to create one full-time staff position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The bill establishes a grant specialist role focused on administering grant programs. This funding directly affects the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity staff, enabling them to manage grant-related work. The bill is procedural, specifically authorizing budget resources for a new position, with no broader policy changes.

Establishes a Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program to incentivize public charter school teachers who achieve national board certification under the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Requires that incentives paid to public charter school teachers under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program established for public charter school teachers and other teacher differentials be paid from funds appropriated to the State Public Charter School Commission, instead of the per-pupil allocation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to make certain contact information for newly registered entities available online. Requires the Director to transmit the contact information to the Business Development and Support Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Changes the name of entities organized under chapter 421C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from consumer cooperative associations to cooperative associations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Clarifies that negligent homicide in the first degree shall include situations where a person causes the death of another person while operating a vehicle without a valid license. Establishes that a violation of this provision shall be a class B felony, with escalation to a class A felony when the person has two or more prior convictions for driving without a valid license within five years. Clarifies what constitutes a prior conviction for driving without a valid license. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies and requires the revenue to be deposited into the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Establishes the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Appropriates funds for a position in the Department of Taxation. Appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)