Sen. Breene Harimoto

Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the initial staff necessary to develop and manage the He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve and its programs. Eff. 3/14/2092. (SD1)

Requires principal brokers in a brokerage firm to ensure that: associated real estate licensees and other staff who assist in providing management services for common interest communities are responsive to requests from owners regarding association-related finances, documents, records, and information; and any request from the real estate commission to distribute commission-generated information, materials, or documents to an association, a board of directors, or a unit owner in a common interest community is completed within ten days after receiving the request. Clarifies that any violation of a mandatory provision of the State's condominium law by a board or its officers and members is a per se violation of the board's fiduciary duty. Provides safe harbor for a board member who votes for compliance during a board meeting. (SD1)

Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued after 12/31/18 to provide coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum of $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. Takes effect on 6/1/2050. (SD2)

Establishes that for a second offense that occurs within five years, rather than one year, of the first conviction of the offense of abuse of a family or household member is a misdemeanor and the person shall be termed a "repeat offender". Establishes that a third or subsequent offense that occurs within five, rather than two, years of a second or subsequent conviction of the offense is a class C felony and allows the prosecution to use prior convictions of the offense of abuse of a family or household member as evidence in the instant offense committed by a repeat offender. Requires the court to immediately order the defendant incarcerated to serve the mandatory sentence imposed for failure to complete the domestic violence intervention program or violation of any other condition of a sentence imposed pursuant to a deferred acceptance of guilty plea or nolo contendere plea. Requires the judiciary, in cooperation with the prosecutor of each county and police department of each county, to annually compile and report on statistics regarding arrests, charges, convictions, and other dispositions based on the offense of abuse of a family or household member. Repeals and reenacts the offense of abuse of a family or household member on 6/30/2020. Takes effect on 1/7/2059. (SD1)

Expands methods for the delivery of funding to projects under the Hawaii community-based economic development technical and financial assistance program by providing loans to capitalize a qualified community development entity. Removes the cap on loan amounts and terms under the program. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Permits licensed dental hygienists in the State to operate under general, rather than direct, supervision of a licensed dentist.