Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds and appropriates funds to finance capital improvement projects for irrigation systems in the State. Converts the means of financing from the Irrigation System Revolving Fund to the general fund for certain positions in the Department of Agriculture. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Codifies and makes permanent the Hawaii Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Part I: Requires the Public Utilities Commission to impose certain conditions of approval on any order approving, in whole or in part, an application for the proposed acquisition, merger, or consolidation of an electric utility company by an acquiring entity. Establishes a process to ensure that when an electric utility is subject to an application for a proposed acquisition, merger, or consolidation by a potential acquiring entity that is an investor-owned utility and seeks approval of the application from the Public Utilities Commission, it must demonstrate that it solicited bids from potential acquiring entities that operate under a non-investor-owned utility ownership model. Requires the electric utility to submit those acceptable bids concurrently with an application by a potential acquiring entity that is an investor-owned utility. Part II: Authorizes the issuance of reimbursable GO bonds for acquiring Hawaiian Electric Industries and converting it to a publicly owned utility. Authorizes the establishment of a non-bypassable electric utility conversion charge, to be deposited into the new Electric Utility Conversion Special Fund. Appropriates Funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation and the reproduction of free-roaming cats. Establishes various revenue and fundraising sources for the special fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Maddy summaryHB 1404 appropriates state funds to create a pilot program offering subsidies for homeowners to connect to public sewer systems and close outdated cesspools. It directly affects residential property owners in areas where cesspools pose environmental or public health risks. The bill establishes a temporary, funded initiative (effective July 1, 3000) to cover costs for eligible homeowners, rather than mandating closures statewide. This focuses on providing financial assistance through a limited pilot, not on enforcing new regulations.
Establishes a lithium-ion battery recycling working group within the Department of Health to assess recycling methods for small and medium format lithium-ion batteries. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summaryHB 365 prohibits certain types of octopus farming, directly affecting businesses engaged in commercial octopus aquaculture. The bill would ban this activity starting July 1, 3000, though this effective date appears to be a placeholder error. Key provisions include a complete prohibition on the practice without specifying exemptions or implementation details. The bill has advanced to committee with a recommendation for passage.
Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Crimes Council. Expands the duties of the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with and support the Council. Establishes the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Specifies that adjustments required to compensate for certain unavoidable increases in financing costs, if proven by a producer of nonfossil fuel generated electricity by clear and convincing evidence, are mechanisms for reasonable and appropriate incremental adjustments that the Public Utilities Commission may include in the rate payable to the producer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Extends the sunset date of Act 107, SLH 2023, which allows for the reimbursement of services provided through telehealth via an interactive telecommunications system, until 12/31/2026. (HD2)
