Sen. Bennette E. Misalucha

Establishes a sustainable Hawaii workforce program, a sustainable Hawaii workforce advisory committee, and a sustainable Hawaii workforce special fund to meet the goals of the Aloha+ Challenge. Imposes a new 1.5 per cent sustainable tourism tax beginning on 7/1/2022, to fund the sustainable Hawaii workforce program. Special fund is effective on 7/1/2022. Program and advisory committee take effect on 1/1/2023.

Requires the abolishment of any public service position that remains vacant for longer than 2 years.

Authorizes and establishes procedures and criteria for prescriptive authority for clinical psychologists who meet specific education, training, and registration requirements. Requires the Board of Psychology to accept applications for prescriptive authority privilege beginning 7/1/2023. Requires the Board of Psychology to report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2022. Sunsets on 8/31/2026.

Establishes a broadband infrastructure grant program to be administered by the department of business, economic development, and tourism. Makes an appropriation.

Clarifies the list of acceptable institutions or organizations that can approve the continuing education courses needed by naturopathic physicians for license renewal.

Establishes the offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products. Includes e-liquid and electronic smoking devices within the definition of "tobacco products", as used in the cigarette tax and tobacco tax law. Increases the license fee for persons engaged as a wholesaler or dealer of cigarettes and tobacco products. Increases the retail tobacco permit fee for retailers engaged in the retail sale of cigarettes and tobacco products. Allocates a portion of funds collected from excise taxes on tobacco products to health education and prevention programs concerning the risks and dangers of the use of electronic smoking devices for youth. Repeals certain provisions of the Hawaii Revised Statutes relating to electronic smoking devices. Effective January 1, 2022.

Allows public employers to establish and implement a telework program. Requires public employers with a telework program to establish a telework policy and post it on the employer's internet website; provide the teleworking employees with equipment that is reasonably necessary to perform their job functions at the teleworking site; and reimburse teleworking employees with communication costs incurred by teleworking.

Allows the works of art special fund to be used to recognize and support local artists, including student artists and arts education programs in K-12 schools; and as administrative support for programs that support works of art and artists, including when state funds are required to obtain federal funding.

Transitions from lump sum deferred deposit transactions to installment-based small dollar loan transactions. Specifies various consumer protection requirements for small dollar loans. Beginning 1/1/2023, requires licensure for small dollar lenders that offer small dollar loans to consumers. Specifies licensing requirements for small dollar lenders. Authorizes the division of financial institutions to appoint 2.0 FTE examiner positions, funded via the compliance resolution fund, to carry out the purposes of the small dollar installment loan program. Requires check cashers to be registered with DCCA and to offer a voluntary payment plan to customers under certain circumstances. Establishes the terms of voluntary payment plans. Clarifies that a customer may only have one outstanding deferred deposit transaction from any source. Amends notices to customers required of check cashers. Removes the exemption for persons engaged in the bona fide retail sale of goods or services. Requires the division of financial institutions of the DCCA to conduct an analysis of the regulation of payday lenders and deferred deposit agreements in the State. Effective 7/1/2022.

Encourages Hawaii corporations to make a commitment to social responsibility. Establishes a social responsibility corporate awards program within the department of business, economic development, and tourism to recognize corporations that have performed sustainable corporate practices. Requires the legislative reference bureau to conduct a study regarding socially responsible corporations in the State.