Rep. Nicole Lowen

Requires all playgrounds located in state and county parks and on public school grounds include special needs recreational playground equipment as part of the recreational apparatuses by 6/30/2025 including at a minimum a wheelchair accessible swing set. Establishes the special needs recreational playground equipment special fund. Appropriates funds.

Establishes a collective bargaining unit for graduate assistants employed by the University of Hawaiʻi and community college system. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)

Requires the University of Hawaiʻi sea grant college program to contract with an independent consultant for the development of a statewide strategic five-year plan for aquaculture. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Reduces, then later exempts, the tax collected on the sale of groceries that are eligible under the supplemental nutrition assistance program or special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, regardless of the means of purchase and the program eligibility of the purchaser. Reduces, then later exempts, the tax collected for the sale of nonprescription drugs.

Requires the department of health to establish a two-year pilot project to test Tier 1 beaches for Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus not less than monthly. Requires a report to the legislature before the regular sessions of 2024, 2025, and 2026. Appropriates funds.

Clarifies that in calculating whether a product labeled "Made in Hawaiʻi" has met the requirement that at least fifty-one per cent of the wholesale value of the product is added by manufacture, processing, or production within the State, operating and overhead expenses incurred and spent within the State shall be included. Appropriates funds to promote and develop the "Made in Hawaiʻi" brand.

Establishes the Hawaiʻi Environmental Protection Agency. Transfers jurisdiction of certain functions and employees of the Department of Agriculture and Department of Health to the Hawaiʻi Environmental Protection Agency.

Establishes a department of environmental protection on July 1, 2027. Creates a department of environmental protection working group to address the logistics required for the State to establish a department of environmental protection. Requires the working group to submit a report to the legislature prior to the 2026 regular session.

Establishes a private right of action for any person aggrieved by a violation of the Federal Aviation Act and existing federal laws to bring a civil action against the owner or operator of the helicopter in violation and collect damages and litigation costs. Effective 6/30/2050. (SD1)

Authorizes psychiatrists and advanced practice registered nurses to file a petition to initiate the administrative authorization process in cases where the patient objects to treatment and is not in the custody of the director or involuntarily committed to a psychiatric facility.