Sen. Glenn Wakai

Renames the teacher national board certification incentive program the national certification incentive program. Expands program eligibility to include school psychologists. Clarifies requirements and incentives of the program. Clarifies that teacher incentives, bonuses, and compensation beyond regular wages are excluded from the per-pupil request and included as separate line items in the budget for public charter schools. Appropriates funds. (SB983 HD1)

Makes an appropriation to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources for research and prevention of the spread of ornamental ginger pathogens. (SB752 HD1)

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to engage a consulting firm to conduct a study to evaluate policies and organizational changes needed within DBEDT that will enable the State to successfully execute a technology-based economic development strategy. Appropriates funds for DBEDT to engage the consulting firm to conduct the study. (SB990 HD1)

Requires HTDC to adopt rules to require businesses to return a technology research and development grant award if the recipient business relocates its principal place of business within 5 years of receiving the grant. Appropriates funding through the Research and Development Special Fund for the Research and Development Program of HTDC. Appropriates funds to HTDC for the Small Business Innovation Research Program and Manufacturing Assistance Program. Disallows HTDC grants to businesses that were awarded a competitive contract from the Department of Defense to research hydrodynamics and demand response. Appropriates funding through the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund to provide grants. Repeals Act 67, SLH 2018, relating to alternative energy research and development and grants by HTDC. Repeals Act 141, SLH 2018, relating to the Research and Development Program in HTDC. Transfers the rights, powers, functions, and duties of HTDC and HSDC to UH. Appropriates funds to UH to implement the transfer. (SB995 HD1)

Prohibits written nondisclosure agreements involving sexual assault and sexual harassment as part of an employee's conditions of employment. Prohibits employers from retaliating against an employee for disclosing or discussing sexual harassment or sexual assault. (SB1041 HD2)

Requires the Chief Information Officer, in conjunction with the Information Technology Steering Committee, to review, refresh, and submit the State Information Technology Strategic Plan to the Governor and Legislature on 2021 and every four years thereafter. (SB219 HD1)

Appropriates funds to improve health care services related to cardiac care at Hilo Medical Center. (SB911 HD1)

Establishes a Statewide Sustainability Division within the Office of Planning to ensure long-term planning, coordination, and implementation of Hawaii's sustainability goals and policies. Appropriates funds. (SB908 HD1)

Requires the Auditor to perform an operational audit of the academic and financial plans of the Department of Education. Requires the Department of Education to contract with a third-party consultant that specializes in school finance to study the adequacy of education funding in Hawaii. Appropriates funds. (SB856 HD3)