Rep. David Tarnas

Provides that after making an arrest, a police officer may issue to the arrestee an appearance ticket that states the date and time of the initial court appearance, and thereafter release the arrestee from custody. Broadens the range of offenses for which a police officer may issue a citation in lieu of making an arrest, provided that certain conditions are met. Effective 1/1/2024.

Specifies that a subsequent attempt to prosecute a felony using an alternative charging method, after the first attempt has failed, shall not be permitted unless certain conditions are met.

Requires each regulated electric and gas utility to use the estimated social cost of greenhouse gas emissions established by the United States Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases in that utility's respective integrated resource planning process. Requires the State to consider the estimated social cost of greenhouse gas emissions in planning new infrastructure and capital improvement projects and when designing and constructing new buildings. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to oversee the development or expansion of new or existing correctional facilities. Prohibits moneys for construction or other capital expenditures from being requested in the executive budget process or expended unless the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission has approved the project. Appropriates moneys to and authorizes staff positions for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to perform expanded oversight duties. Appropriates moneys to the Department of Public Safety to begin planning new or redeveloped correctional facilities in each county.

Includes electronic smoking devices within the definition of "tobacco products", as used in the cigarette tax and tobacco tax law. Establishes a tax of ten per cent for the wholesale price for electronic smoking devices. Allocates a portion of funds collected on excise taxes on electronic smoking devices to the trauma system special fund, community health centers special fund, emergency medical services special fund, and tobacco enforcement special fund. Permits funds in the tobacco enforcement special fund to be used to enforce provisions prohibiting the sale and distribution of electronic smoking devices to, and possession or use of electronic smoking devices by, persons under the age of twenty-one.

Requires the board of education to adopt and the department of education to administer a kindergarten entry assessment in ‘Olelo Hawai‘i for Kaiapuni schools. Delays the administration of the kindergarten entry assessment in ‘Olelo Hawai‘i for Kaiapuni schools to the 2026-2027 school year.

Exempts Hawaiian language immersion program students from kindergarten assessment requirements.

Establishes a visitor green fee program that requires that visitors purchase a license which is valid for one year for the use of a state park, beach, state-owned forest, hiking trail on state-owned land, or other state-owned natural area, to be administered by the department of land and natural resources. Establishes a visitor green fee special fund, into which shall be deposited fees, penalties, appropriations, and gifts and donations for the program. Establishes an environmental legacy commission, which shall be responsible for allocating disbursements and awarding grants from the visitor green fee special fund for the protection, restoration, enhancement, care, and increased resilience of Hawaii's natural and outdoor recreational resources. Appropriates fund for the establishment of the environmental legacy commission and a strategic plan. Requires annual reports to the legislature on the progress of the program.

Establishes the criminal offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products. Amends the definition of "tobacco products" under the Cigarette Tax and Tobacco Tax Law to include electronic smoking devices and e-liquids. Increases the license fee for persons engaged as wholesalers or dealers of cigarettes and tobacco products and the retail tobacco permit fee for retailers engaged in the retail sale of cigarettes and tobacco products. Repeals state laws that establish and govern the Electronic Smoking Device Retailer Registration Unit within the Department of the Attorney General; provisions of the Cigarette Tax and Tobacco Tax Law that govern delivery sales; and state law governing smoking that preempts and voids local ordinances and regulations conflicting with state law. Effective January 1, 2024.

Establishes the 2023 illegal fireworks task force within the department of the attorney general to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to stop the importation of illegal fireworks and explosives into the State, promote compliance with the fireworks control law; and ensure the safety and security of airports, harbors, and other facilities and institutions in the State against the discharge of illegal fireworks and explosives. Requires a report to the legislature.