Prohibits the Department of Health from issuing permits for commercial burning of green waste products in residential areas or within one thousand feet of a residential property.
Sen. Glenn Wakai
Sponsored bills
Restricts civil asset forfeiture to cases involving the commission of a felony offense where the property owner has been convicted of an underlying felony offense. Directs forfeiture proceeds to the general fund. Amends the allowable expenses for moneys in the Criminal Forfeiture Fund. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Amends the deadline for the Attorney General to report to the Legislature on the use of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Limits the transfer of certain forfeiture property to federal agencies. Establishes records requirements.
Amends the types of occurrences for which the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors may request the Governor to declare a tourism emergency. Reduces the minimum balance to be maintained in the Tourism Emergency Special Fund through an allocation of transient accommodations tax revenues. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Requires claims of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by first responders to be compensable under workers' compensation under certain conditions if the post-traumatic stress disorder resulted from the first responder acting within the course and scope of the first responder's employment. Defines "first responder." Exempts injuries caused by post-traumatic stress disorder from certain time limitations applicable to workers' compensation claims.
Maddy summarySB 584 clarifies that the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) must include supporting aquaculture as part of its official duties. This bill directly affects NELHA, a Hawaii-based research and development entity, by explicitly expanding its mandate to include aquaculture support within its existing responsibilities. The measure does not create new funding or regulations but formally defines NELHA's role in advancing aquaculture initiatives. The bill is currently pending in the 2025 legislative session.
Maddy summarySB 975 allocates state funds for physical capital improvement projects in the 15th Senatorial District, directly benefiting residents and communities within that district. The bill provides financial resources for specific infrastructure upgrades, such as parks, roads, or public facilities, without altering existing laws or creating new regulations. Key provisions involve the state budgeting process to distribute these funds for tangible local projects. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 Regular Session after being introduced in early 2025.
Increases the mandatory minimum jail sentence for a first conviction of knowingly or intentionally violating a temporary restraining order from forty-eight to seventy-two hours. Requires mandatory mental health counseling for a first conviction of knowingly or intentionally violating a temporary restraining order.
Prohibits the planting of large trees along evacuation routes. Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to identify large trees along evacuation routes and trim, spray, or remove large trees having the potential to obstruct an evacuation route. Defines evacuation route. Appropriates moneys.
Prohibits the Department of Human Services from using any social security income payments, including supplemental income payments it receives on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department to cover the cost of foster care services. Requires the Department of Human Services to deposit all social security income payments received on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department into a savings account that shall be made accessible to the child when the child leaves foster care custody.
Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist qualifying households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide certain assistants to recipients of the program. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.