Sen. Donna Kim

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)

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. Takes effect on 1/7/2059. (SD1)

Requires that a defendant be denied bail when the charge is for a violent crime or the defendant has been previously convicted of a violent crime. Distinguishes between a serious crime for which the judge has the discretion to grant bail and a violent crime for which bail must be denied.

Proposes an amendment to article V, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution to provide that the attorney general be elected as a nonpartisan elected official rather than appointed by the governor.

Repeals the confidentiality protection afforded under the Uniform Information Practices Act for certain information regarding misconduct of police officers that results in discharge. Requires that names of discharged or suspended police officers be disclosed in the annual report submitted by each county's police chief to the legislature.

Requires annual reporting to the legislature by the AG of statistical data pertaining to the testing of sexual assault evidence collection kits. Provides certain rights to sexual assault survivors. Institutes mandatory testing requirements in accordance with AG guidelines. Requires AG to report to the legislature on the progress of implementing AG guidelines. (SD1)

Appropriates funds for the Aging and Disability Resource Center. (SB533 HD1)

Prohibits the courts from deferring the acceptance of guilty or no contest pleas that could result in the expungement of the offense from the criminal record of state or county law enforcement officers for felonies, misdemeanors, or petty misdemeanors that the officers are alleged to have committed while in the performance of the duties of an officer.