Beginning 7/1/2024, increases the cigarette tax rate and amends the disposition of the cigarette tax revenues by increasing the amount allocated to the Hawaiʻi Cancer Research Special Fund.
For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024, provides an aquaculture investment tax credit for investments into a qualified aquaculture business.
Requires Department of Education school bus contracts to include provisions that require contractors to prioritize the use of motor vehicles that do not require those drivers to hold a commercial driver's license.
Clarifies the purpose of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi and that its undertakings shall be limited to acts that are reasonably necessary to carry out its purpose. Repeals the requirement that the University of Hawaiʻi contract with the Research Corporation when the University determines that other various agencies cannot more effectively or efficiently accomplish certain research and training activities. Grandfathers existing Research Corporation contracts and requires new contracts be subject to new limitations. Limits the scope of the special account the Research Corporation is authorized to establish. Requires revolving accounts to follow University of Hawaiʻi Administrative Procedure 12.204. Limits internal service orders and revolving accounts of the Research Corporation that use University intramural and extramural funds to certain projects and requires biannual reports to the Legislature.
Establishes a teacher loan program to encourage individuals to become teachers in hard-to-fill positions of Department of Education schools. Allows a loan to be forgiven for teachers who become a licensed teacher in Hawaiʻi or for teachers who will commit to teach for seven years at a Hawaiʻi public school or public charter school.
Amends the Hawaiʻi State Constitution to prohibit the State from denying or interfering with an individual's reproductive freedom, including the right to choose or obtain an abortion or to choose to obtain or use contraceptives.
Requires defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of drugs or alcohol to make restitution in the form of financial support to each surviving child of the victim.
Requires that if parking is to be included in any new state building construction, the design provide that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
Allows for the use of fine meshed nets for the protection of plants against invasive species.
Establishes the Hawaiʻi Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist qualifying households in paying their energy bills. Establishes the Hawaiʻi Home Energy Assistance Special Fund. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Makes an appropriation.
