Sen. Laura Acasio

Allows the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to retain independent legal counsel as needed. Authorizes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to use the services of the Attorney General as needed and when the interests of the State and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands are aligned. Provides that funds owed to independent legal counsel shall be paid by the State. Takes effect 7/30/2075. (SD1)

Requires the first responder to record in the incident report for each water rescue event the type of snorkel and mask, if any, that were worn by the person who was rescued or recovered.

Includes the use of traditional native Hawaiian burial practices in the treatment and disposal of human remains, including the use of water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis. Requires alkaline hydrolysis facilities to be certified by the Department of Health. Requires alkaline hydrolysis facility operators to undergo alkaline hydrolysis operator training and comply with certain Department of Health Administrative Rules. Requires sterile wastewater to be discharged into the sewer system as approved by the appropriate county. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD2)

Establishes a 3-year cover crop reimbursement pilot program to provide reimbursements to farming operations in the State for costs related to cover cropping. Establishes a cover crop reimbursement pilot program manager position within the Department of Agriculture to administer the program. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Adds a representative of a LGBTQ+ focused organization to be included as a member on the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness. (SD1)

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to finance the construction of and improvements to health care facilities of The Queen's Health Systems and its nonprofit affiliates. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires farm owners or operators to confine egg-laying hens in accordance with the standards established in this measure. Effective 6/30/27, prohibits a business owner or operator from selling shell eggs or egg products that are produced by egg-laying hens that were confined in a manner that violates best practices for humanely housing egg-laying hens to eliminate disease, increase sanitation, and to protect from predators and weather, with exceptions. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD2)

Incorporates a regenerative framework into the State Planning Act by expanding objectives and policies for the visitor industry. Requires an update to the State Tourism Functional Plan to be submitted to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Requires that members of the State Council on Mental Health receive annual training that includes topics such as cultural awareness and loss of ethnic identity, as well as other topics that address Native Hawaiian healing and health practices. (SD2)

Requires a retail establishment with an employee toilet facility to allow a customer suffering from an eligible medical condition to use that restroom during normal business hours, under certain conditions. Exempts a retail establishment and employees from civil liability in allowing an eligible customer to use an employee toilet facility. Establishes fines. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD2)