Sen. Clarence K. Nishihara

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.

Allows disclosure of government records in cases where a police officer has been suspended or discharged in a disciplinary action.

Requires that any person appointed as State Sheriff by the Director of Public Safety shall have a minimum of five years of combined prior law enforcement experience.

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.

Authorizes a county with a population greater than 500,000 to extend the county surcharge on state tax beyond December 31, 2027. After full completion of the mass transit project, permits counties to use the surcharge on state tax for operation and maintenance of the mass transit project, existing public transportation, or public road and highway repairs. Deducts one-third of the amount from the gross proceeds of a county's surcharge on state tax to reimburse the State for costs associated with handling the assessment, collection, and disposition of the county surcharge on state tax and fund various State transportation projects. Repeals the sunset date of the county surcharge on state tax levied by the city and county of Honolulu. Takes effect January 1, 2018.

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

Clarifies that county ordinances shall not conflict or interfere with DLNR rules related to the issuance of permits in support of geothermal resources development and geothermal resources exploration. Requires the lessee of a mining lease to comply with all water and air pollution control laws. Requires the rules of the board of land and natural resources regarding mining operations, geothermal resource development, and geothermal resource exploration, including drilling conditions and restrictions, to be uniform throughout the State.

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 in a timely fashion, a unit owner may repair damages and seek reimbursement from the management company or managing agent.

Appropriates $1,000,000 to the department of public safety for rehabilitation of incarcerated persons. Allows the department to contract with private service providers for rehabilitation services. Requires the department to report to the legislature 20 days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2018.

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.