Sen. Bennette E. Misalucha

Establishes a cover crop reimbursement pilot program to provide up to 75 per cent cost reimbursement to farming operations in the State for the acquisition of cover crop seeds, green manure, or compost. Requires the convening of a review panel to screen and rate applicants on the quality of their cover crop, green manure, and composting practices. Establishes a cover crop reimbursement pilot program manager position within the department of agriculture to administer the program. Requires reports to the legislature. Appropriates moneys. (CD1)

Increases the penalty for employers who fail to pay the wages of their employees in accordance with the State's wage and hour law and payment of wages and other compensation law, to a class C felony. Adds a minimum penalty of $500 per violation. (CD1)

Directs the conveyance to the Department of Education of certain lands used for public schools and held by the counties of Kauai and Maui, the State, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Requires legislative approval prior to the sale, gift, or alienation of the fee simple title to lands held by the Department of Education. (CD1)

Establishes the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program, administered by the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Department of Budget and Finance, to provide a state-facilitated payroll-deduction individual retirement savings plan to private sector employees who do not have access to employer-sponsored retirement savings plans beginning on an implementation date to be determined by the board. Authorizes an implementation and evaluation study, followed by an implementation strategy and timetable, prior to implementation of the program. Provides a state match of up to $500 to the accounts of the first 50,000 covered employees who participate in the program for twelve consecutive months after initial enrollment. (CD1)

Expands the renewable energy technologies income tax credit to include firm renewable energy systems and long-duration renewable energy storage systems. Caps the amount of credit that may be claimed by a tax payer and the total amount of tax credits for certain firm renewable energy systems and long-duration renewable energy storage systems that may be claimed in a taxable year . Specifies that the income tax credit is available for eligible systems that are placed in service before 1/1/2046. (CD1)

Establishes the Hawaii Genetic Information Privacy Act. Requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies to adhere to certain requirements pertaining to the collection, use, and disclosure of genetic data. Establishes fines for violations. Allows the Office of Consumer Protection to bring civil action against violators. (CD1)

Establishes and appropriates funds for a compost reimbursement program within the Department of Agriculture and for one full-time permanent compost reimbursement program manager position. Requires an annual progress report to the Legislature prior to each regular session. (CD1)

Authorizes the Department of Human Services to require the staff of licensed and registered early childhood programs to annually provide specific information to the Department's Early Childhood Workforce Registry. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Amends the minimum qualifications for Board of Education members. (CD1)

Requires the Department of Transportation to plan for sea level rise in all future or amended transportation projects. Requires all Department of Transportation highway, harbor, and airport projects to conform to certain carbon concrete standards except in certain circumstances. Takes effect 7/1/2022. (CD1)