Sen. Les Ihara

Creates a temporary law enforcement working group to make recommendations to the legislature on establishing professional recruitment, hiring, and training standards for all state law enforcement officers who carry firearms and badges and who have the arrest authority. Prohibits a law enforcement officer who has been terminated for misconduct by a state or county department, agency, or office in the capacity of law enforcement from being hired by another state or county law enforcement department, agency, or office.

Allows the electronic mailing and posting of meeting notices; requires the posting of the meeting notice and minutes on the state or appropriate county websites; and increases public access to information before a public hearing by a board. Effective January 1, 2018.

Prohibits a person listed in the federal Terrorist Screening Database from owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition. Allows for removal of the disqualification. Requires surrender or disposal of firearms and ammunition.

Expands the required qualifications that applicants may fulfill as part of the requirements for dental licensure to include passage of any other nationally recognized clinical dental examination recommended by the American Dental Association and dental licensure in another state; provided that the applicant meets specific qualifications. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes pesticide buffer zones for sensitive areas beginning on July 1, 2018. Establishes penalties for violations. Requires the Department of Agriculture, based on input from the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, to adopt rules that determine amounts, distances, and wind speeds relating to pesticide buffer zones, within 18 months of the effective date. (SD1)

Requires lobbyists and their clients to make monthly disclosures during any month the legislature is in session, and a report for June 1 through December 31. Adds required disclosures regarding lobbying events, contractual relationships with legislators, and campaign contributions. Requires the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to file their financial disclosures by January 31 after the beginning of the regular legislative session. Requires certain state employees to disclose contractual relationships with lobbyists and their clients. Amends the definition of "administrative action" to include granting or denying an application for a business- or development-related permit, license, or approval and the procurement of goods and services through contracts covered by the procurement code. Requires the state ethics commission to accept electronically filed documents.

Beginning with the primary election in 2018, requires the office of elections to implement election by mail in a county with a population of fewer than 100,000 and beginning with the 2020 primary election, implement election by mail in each of the other counties for all elections. Establishes an election by mail system, including requirements for ballots, replacement ballots, deficient return of ballots, electronic transmission of replacement ballots under certain circumstances, ballot counting, voter service centers, places of deposit, and election expenses and responsibilities. Establishes procedures for postponed elections. Makes conforming amendments to provide for an election by mail system. Allows voters in an election by mail system to request that their ballots be temporarily forwarded to another address in or outside of the State for a single election or a primary or special primary election and the election immediately following it. Appropriates funds for the implementation and administration of the elections by mail program. Requires the office of elections to submit annual reports to the legislature from 2018 to 2024 regarding implementing the elections by mail program.

Removes redundant investigating and reporting requirements of the Department of Human Services and the family courts in cases where temporary restraining orders are sought for alleged domestic abuse involving a family or household member who is a minor or incapacitated person.

Appropriates funds to support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program on Oahu by establishing one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) permanent program specialist IV position for the City and County of Honolulu and for contracted services through the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman in the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui. (SB530 HD1)

Establishes a Kapolei jobs initiative pilot program that offers incentives to increase the number of businesses willing to establish themselves or open a new location in the Kapolei region. Establishes a tax credit, until 12/31/2024, as part of the Kapolei jobs initiative pilot program.