Sen. Les Ihara

Increases the cigarette excise tax imposed on each cigarette sold in the State and allocates the increase in tax revenues to a cigarette litter abatement special fund. Provides that the cigarette litter abatement special fund shall be used to cover the costs of collecting and removing cigarette litter and providing outreach and education to curb improper cigarette litter disposal. Appropriates funds.

Requires the department of education to establish and implement a sexual abuse prevention education program to educate public and charter school students on sexual abuse prevention, provide relevant training to teachers and staff, and inform parents and guardians about important child sexual abuse topics. Requires the board of education to adopt policies to effectuate the program. Requires reports to the legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD2)

Allows public employers to establish and implement a telework program. Requires public employers with a telework program to establish a telework policy and post it on the employer's internet website; provide the teleworking employees with equipment that is reasonably necessary to perform their job functions at the teleworking site; and reimburse teleworking employees with communication costs incurred by teleworking.

Legalizes the personal use, possession, and sale of cannabis in a specified quantity. Requires licensing to operate cannabis establishments. Subjects cannabis establishments to excise taxes and income taxes. Effective 5/6/2137. (SD2)

Requires the department of business, economic development, and tourism to develop a plan to ensure that all communities in the State having schools receiving federal Title I education funds have high-speed broadband internet access.

Requires the elections commission to, in consultation with the clerk of each county, perform an assessment of whether the election watcher and election observer programs are adequate and, if not, what adjustments are necessary to improve the programs. Requires a report of the assessment to the legislature. (SD1)

Establishes an ecosystem restoration commission to identify federally owned or controlled lands within Hawaii for environmental remediation and the return of ownership and control of those lands to the State.

Requires operators of adult residential care homes, assisted living facilities, long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and community care facilities to establish and implement infectious disease control and prevention training and other related protocols. Requires the Department of Health to ensure compliance with infectious disease control and prevention training programs prior to the issuance or renewal of a license. Authorizes the Department of Health to conduct random audits to determine compliance with infectious disease control and prevention training program or course requirements. Requires the Department of Health to establish a hotline to field calls and complaints regarding violations. Authorizes the Department of Health to adopt rules, including emergency rules, and assess fines. Requires the Department of Health to conduct an annual announced and scheduled visit and inspection for all state-licensed or state-certified care facilities, in addition to its required annual inspections without notice. Requires applicants for nursing home administrator licenses to demonstrate at least five years of experience and the ability to document all training, experience, and certifications.

Requires the department of education conduct a comprehensive cost analysis of the department's food services and student meals programs to, in part, increase the use of locally grown agricultural products. Requires a report to the legislature.

Establishes minimum number of district precincts per district. Prohibits campaigning or electioneering within two hundred feet of the last person in line to vote or deposit a ballot at a voter service center or place of deposit. Makes housekeeping amendments to Hawaii's elections laws to clarify and improve the administration of elections by mail.