Sen. Clarence K. Nishihara

Requires board members of condominium associations to disclose significant financial interests prior to taking action that affects both the association and a third-party provider. Prohibits board members from receiving gifts from those types of third party providers. Expands the powers of the real estate commission to enforce violations by board members of disclosure requirements and gift prohibitions.

Removes redundant investigating and reporting requirements of the Department of Human Services and the family courts in cases where temporary restraining orders are sought for alleged domestic abuse involving a family or household member who is a minor or incapacitated person.

Prohibits tethers and certain other types of restraints that are known to endanger dogs or prevent dogs from receiving necessary sustenance. Specifies penalties.

Allows the department of Hawaiian home lands to retain independent legal counsel as needed. Authorizes the department of Hawaiian home lands to use the services of the attorney general as needed and when the interests of the State and the department of Hawaiian home lands are aligned. Provides that funds owed to independent legal counsel shall be paid by the attorney general.

Beginning with the primary election in 2018, requires the office of elections to implement election by mail in a county with a population of fewer than 100,000 and beginning with the 2020 primary election, implement election by mail in each of the other counties for all elections. Establishes an election by mail system, including requirements for ballots, replacement ballots, deficient return of ballots, electronic transmission of replacement ballots under certain circumstances, ballot counting, voter service centers, places of deposit, and election expenses and responsibilities. Establishes procedures for postponed elections. Makes conforming amendments to provide for an election by mail system. Allows voters in an election by mail system to request that their ballots be temporarily forwarded to another address in or outside of the State for a single election or a primary or special primary election and the election immediately following it. Appropriates funds for the implementation and administration of the elections by mail program. Requires the office of elections to submit annual reports to the legislature from 2018 to 2024 regarding implementing the elections by mail program. Takes effect on 1/7/2059. (SD1)

Appropriates funds to DOE to support the Turnaround Arts program in Hawaii in partnership with Hawaii Arts Alliance.

Allows for several factors to be weighted for the weighted student formula including but not limited to student characteristics, enrollment trends, and optimal student-teacher ratios. Requires the committee on weights to incorporate into the weighted student formula weights that account for special education teachers and support staff, enrollment increases, and the optimal student-teacher ratio at each grade level.

Requires employers to provide a minimum amount of paid sick leave to employees to be used to care for themselves or a family member who is ill or needs medical care. (SB425 HD1)

Imposes a civil fine when a person leaves a dog unattended in a motor vehicle without at least one window open at least two inches to allow for air flow.

Appropriates funds for the hiring of a coordinator and for interisland travel and operating expenses of the P-20 Agriculture Education Working Group within the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. Outlines the duties of the working group and opens participation in the working group to additional persons and entities.