Rep. Nicole Lowen

Establishes that the offense of abuse of a family or household member is a petty misdemeanor with a jail sentence of no less than forty-eight hours and no more than thirty days. Establishes that for a second offense that occurs within five years of the first conviction of the offense of abuse of a family or household member is a misdemeanor and the person shall be termed a "repeat offender". Establishes that a third or subsequent offense that occurs within five, rather than two, years of a second or subsequent conviction of the offense is a class C felony. Allows the prosecution to use prior convictions of the offense of abuse of a family or household member as evidence in the instant offense committed by a repeat offender. Requires that court ordered domestic violence intervention programs include anger management training. Requires the judiciary, in cooperation with the prosecutor of each county and police department of each county, to annually compile and report on statistics regarding arrests, charges, and convictions based on the offense of abuse of a family or household member. Repeals and reenacts the offense of abuse of a family or household member on 06/30/20.

Appropriates moneys for research to combat rapid ohia death. (HB1472 HD1)

Establishes the Remote Testimony Task Force to develop procedures to make available remote testimony technology throughout the State that enables the public to testify remotely via the Internet during legislative proceedings. Requires the Legislature to adopt rules to establish remote testimony capability. Makes an appropriation. (HB1547 HD1)

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a tiered energy savings rate structure for customers of electric utilities. Allows the Commission to establish discounted rates for low-income customers of electric utilities. Reforms the public benefits fee. Allows the fee to be used to benefit energy efficiency advancement for low- and middle-income ratepayers and for emergency energy workforce retraining and transition programs. Authorizes the department of taxation to disclose tax return information to the public utilities commission in accordance with the purposes of this Act and applies penalties for intentional disclosure of the tax return information. (HB1574 HD1)

Makes pilot schools that are approved and certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration subject to the oversight of the Hawaii Post-secondary Education Authorization Program.

Repeals provisions that established the start and end dates of a limited time period for claiming the tax credit. Includes costs of land preparation and soil restoration on former plantation lands that have been unused for more than five years as qualified costs to claim the tax credit. (HB572 HD1)

Prohibits enforced wage secrecy and retaliation or discrimination against employees who disclose, discuss, or inquire about their own or co-workers' wages.

Appropriates funds from the Natural Area Reserve Fund to the DLNR for a public awareness campaign to educate the public about hiker safety and preparedness. (HB479 HD1)

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure access to clean drinking water, meaningful health care, and a quality education are among the inherent and inalienable rights of individuals. (HB1582 HD1)

Amends the offense of cruelty to animals in the first degree to include indigenous birds. (HB390 HD1)