Sen. Clarence K. Nishihara

Prohibits a public member of any board or commission under DCCA's purview from being engaged in the occupation that the board or commission regulates; being associated with a member of the occupation that the board or commission regulates that results in a material conflict of interest, an appearance of impropriety, or a reasonable suspicion that the public member does not represent the public interest; or having a financial interest in the regulated occupation. Effective 7/1/2112. (HD1)

Establishes a parolee higher education pilot program that allows parolees to take classes up to twelve semester credits at no charge to the parolee; provided that the classes are taken within five years after release from a correctional institution and provided further that the parolee does not break or violate the terms of parole and other laws. Sunsets June 1, 2025.

Requires the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission to prioritize nature-based solutions in its climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts and assess risk transfer market mechanisms that promote investments in nature to reduce the risks of climate change. Defines "nature-based solutions". Appropriates moneys.

Prohibits blood banks operating in the State from rejecting or deferring blood donors on the basis of sexual orientation, actual gender identity, or perceived gender identity.

Requires the Hawaii state energy office to develop a strategic plan that identifies strategies to achieve a resilient, clean energy, decarbonized economy as quickly as practicable and to submit the strategic plan to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023. Requires the Hawaii natural energy institute to conduct a feasibility study of the strategic plan and to submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2023, 2028, 2033, 2043, and 2048. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Requires landlords, lessors, or plaintiffs in a summary possession action based on nonpayment of monetary rent to submit a general excise tax license in good standing as a condition to the issuance of a writ of possession. Effective 5/6/2137. (HD1)

Clarifies that "traditional and customary subsistence farming", which is customary and traditional subsistence farming conducted by a native Hawaiian cultural practitioner for direct personal or family consumption. Provides that one of the State's policies under the Hawaii State Planning Act's socio-cultural advancement objectives is to assure the right of native Hawaiian cultural practitioners to engage in customary and traditional subsistence farming. Effective 7/1/2060. (SD1)

Creates an exception to the exclusive right to compensation under workers' compensation law where COVID-19 is contracted by an employee whose employer failed to maintain adequate workplace protections against exposure to the novel coronavirus. Creates a presumption that COVID-19 has been proximately caused by an employer's failure to maintain adequate workplace protections against exposure to the novel coronavirus.

Requires the department of education's existing Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) working group to create a state plan to make completion of the FAFSA or an opt-out waiver a statewide graduation requirement by the 2023-2024 school year. Requires a report to the 2022 legislature. Effective 7/1/2051. (HD1)

Requires the Insurance Commissioner to set the maximum wholesale prices of common prescription drugs based upon Canadian price regulations. Prohibits drug makers and distributors from removing prescription drugs from Hawaii markets. Prohibits various health plans and pharmacies from purchasing prescription drugs in excess of the maximum wholesale price.