Sen. Clarence K. Nishihara

Codifies exemptions to permitting requirements established by Act 151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011, within the Hawaii Revised Statutes and expands those exemptions to include broadband over wire line and wireless or mobile platforms, including wire line facilities and small wireless facilities. Establishes a definition of wireless communications antennas that include small wireless facilities. Establishes a definition of wire line. Repeals those sections of Act 151, Session Laws of Hawaii 2011, that have been codified within the Hawaii Revised Statutes. (SD1)

Clarifies the allowable and prohibited practices and training requirements for dental assistants.

Requires condominium boards to post board meeting agendas and make board meeting materials available to association members at least seven days prior to each meeting. Requires association members to be provided an opportunity to submit materials and present testimony about any item on the board meeting agenda. Requires board meeting minutes to include the recorded vote of each board member on all motions without exception. Requires boards to make approved minutes available to association members within seven calendar days. Reduces the number of days after the meeting by which the board must make available unapproved final drafts of the minutes of a meeting.

Requires prompt repair of any damages to the common areas or common elements in a planned community association or condominium. Specifies that if a management company or managing agent is responsible for repairs on an association's behalf and fails to complete the repairs within six months, then the management company or managing agent shall be liable for double the amount of damages. Specifies that when a management company or managing agent fails to pay for damages, the association may deduct that amount from any fees the association owes to the management company or managing agent.

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 for a permanent full-time associate professor and permanent full-time associate specialist position within the University of Hawaii center on aging. Effective 5/12/2059. (SD1)

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds for construction and infrastructure development projects to provide affordable housing units for middle class and low income residents. Allows moneys from the conveyance tax and the county surcharge on state tax to be used to repay the bonds.

Requires the interest earned on the balance of the Hawaii hurricane reserve trust fund to be retained in the trust fund. Requires the board of directors of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief fund to conduct a study of the acquisition of a catastrophic hurricane loss financing arrangement with all or a portion of the interest earned in the trust fund. Appropriates hurricane reserve trust fund moneys for the study. (SD1)

Makes an appropriation to the judiciary to purchase civil legal services for low- and moderate-income persons. Takes effect on 1/7/2059. (SD1)

Allocates money from the tourism special fund to help fund the intercollegiate athletic programs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and University of Hawaii at Hilo to offset the higher costs that the University of Hawaii must pay for athletics compared to peer institutions. Repeals 6/30/2019. (SD1)