Sen. Glenn Wakai

Exempts career and technical education goods and services purchases by the Department of Education from the State Procurement Code. Requires the Department of Education to acquire three written quotes for career and technical education purchases that exceed $100,000. Requires awards of over $2,500 for career and technical education purchases to comply with certain statutory provisions regarding offerors. Requires awards of over $500,000 for career and technical education purchases to be approved by the Superintendent of Education. Repeals 7/1/2027. (CD1)

Repeals the provision that made references to the base amount in the Internal Revenue Code inapplicable to the research activities tax credit and allowed credits for all qualified research expenses to be taken without regard to previous years' expenses. Narrows the qualifying criteria for research activities tax credits to applicants who are small businesses registered in the State. Extends the sunset date of the research activities tax credit to 12/31/2029. (CD1)

Establishes a Business Revitalization Task Force within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to identify methods to improve Hawaiʻi's general economic competitiveness and business climate, including the mitigation of regulatory and tax burdens. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Establishes a Silver Alert Program within the Department of Law Enforcement to help locate and safeguard missing persons who are sixty-five years of age or older, cognitively impaired, or developmentally disabled. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Requires the Department of Health to include in its annual report regarding Kalaupapa Settlement details and updated information, as available, regarding the permanent transfer to other governmental or qualified non-governmental entities of the powers and duties of the Department over Kalaupapa Settlement. Requires the Department of Health to report on its community engagement efforts with community stakeholders and the Molokai community. Sunsets on the first 6/30 after the Revisor of Statutes receives a written gubernatorial proclamation that the referenced transfer is complete. (CD1)

Establishes the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program, to be implemented by the State in only those locations where a photo red light imaging detector system has been implemented. Creates a new offense of noncompliance with maximum speed limit under an automated speed enforcement system. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Adopts, establishes, and designates the shaka as the official gesture of the State. Authorizes the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to develop a public work of art related to the shaka and its history to be displayed in a prominent location in the State. (CD1)

Requires the Information Technology Steering Committee to assist the Chief Information Officer to develop a plan to enhance the mobile application developed to enable the public to access the State's website. Requires the Chief Information Officer's annual report of the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to include updates on the mobile application. (CD1)

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue special license plates specifically for veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The primary mechanism involves creating a distinct plate design to honor these service members, allowing them to display their military service on their vehicles. If passed, the law would enable the Department of Motor Vehicles to produce and distribute these commemorative plates to eligible veterans. The measure does not alter existing vehicle registration fees or create new benefits beyond the symbolic recognition provided by the plates.

Clarifies that the Chief Energy Officer is responsible for supporting the renewable portfolio standards and reporting on certain energy matters. (CD1)