Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority and School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to collaborate to actively plan for the design, construction, and operations and management of a state hotel. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
Appropriates funds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to install one hundred monitoring wells to collect data and map the migration of the Red Hill contamination plume.
Maddy summarySB 837 authorizes school districts and transportation providers to use motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for student transportation, provided specific safety conditions are met. This bill directly affects school districts, bus operators, and students by expanding the types of vehicles permitted for school trips. Key provisions require that any vehicle used must comply with established safety standards, though the abstract does not detail the specific conditions. The bill aims to increase flexibility in student transportation options while maintaining safety requirements.
Maddy summarySB 594 removes the requirement that perpetrators of certain crimes must know or reasonably should know their victim is 60 years or older. This means prosecutors no longer need to prove the offender was aware of the victim's age in cases involving seniors. The bill directly affects how crimes against seniors are prosecuted and adjudicated in court. It changes the legal standard for accountability, focusing on the victim's age rather than the perpetrator's knowledge.
Extends the State's energy-efficiency portfolio standards from 2030 to 2045 and updates the standards. Authorizes the public utilities commission to adjust the 2045 and interim standards.
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.
Amends the definition of "historic property" under the State's historic preservation program to include only property that predates Statehood Day and, with respect to buildings and structures, is registered on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places.
Establishes a definition of "low alcohol by volume spirits beverage". Beginning 7/1/2025, establishes a tax on low alcohol by volume spirits beverages at a rate of $1.10 per wine gallon. Takes effect 6/30/2025.
Establishes an online fantasy sports contests registration and monitoring program under the Department of the Attorney General. Imposes an online fantasy sports contests tax on the gross revenues of registrants. Establishes the Online Fantasy Sports Contests Special Fund and allocates proceeds of the fund to the Lahaina community recovery efforts. Exempts registered online fantasy sports contests from state gambling laws. Appropriates funds.
Maddy summarySB 567 establishes an income tax credit for individuals who pay for medically-related travel expenses not covered by insurance. The bill directly affects residents who incur out-of-pocket costs for transportation related to medical care, such as trips to specialists or treatment facilities. Key provisions allow these individuals to reduce their state income tax liability by claiming the credit for eligible travel costs. This policy change provides a concrete financial benefit for people facing uncovered medical transportation expenses.
