Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz

Requires the department of land natural resources and department of agriculture to meet and identify the non-agricultural park lands that should be rezoned as those in the conservation district. Requires that agricultural lands under the jurisdiction of the department of land and natural resources be transferred to the department of agriculture not later than 12/31/2023. Requires the department of land and natural resources and department of agriculture to meet every five years to discuss transferring remaining lands. Requires the department of agriculture to inquire about any easements needed by the department of land and natural resources before offering a lease. (SD1)

Expands the membership eligibility for the University of Hawaii's optional retirement system to athletic coaches and assistant coaches who are employed by the University on or after July 1, 2021, and are included in bargaining unit (8). Allows the Board of Regents to utilize existing alternative surrogate retirement plans already offered by State or the University as an alternative. Allows the Board of Regents to adopt rules pertaining to eligibility in the optional retirement system. Prohibits members and former members of the ERS from opting into the optional retirement system. Allows the retirement benefits of the UH optional retirement system to be subject to collective bargaining negotiations for the bargaining units (7) and (8). Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Transfers the Hawaii green infrastructure authority from the department of business, economic development, and tourism to the Hawaii state energy office. Clarifies the purpose, duties, and responsibilities of the Hawaii state energy office and the chief energy officer.

Facilitates the timely interconnection and transmission lines for renewable energy projects. (SD1)

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist HK Management, LLC, in planning, designing, constructing, reconstructing, renovating, acquiring, equipping, and improving surf industry center facilities.

Requires that the department of accounting and general services be responsible for ensuring that the facilities under their responsibility are maintained in accordance with proper repair, maintenance, and cleanliness standards to promote the health and safety of occupants and visitors. (SD1)

Provides for timely review by the public utilities commission in its decision-making process regarding proposed renewable energy projects. Requires timely completion of the interconnection process by electric public utilities. Allows electric public utilities and developers to agree to extend the timely completion of the interconnection process. (SD1)

Provides a tax credit to taxpayers and makes deposits to the emergency and budget reserve fund and other post-employment benefits trust fund pursuant to article VII, section 6, of the Hawaii Constitution. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Requires that twenty-five per cent of a University of Hawaii research faculty's salary be paid out of the extramural funds and research and training revolving fund generated by the unit at which the faculty works or holds tenure. Requires grants, contracts, and agreements applied for or entered into beginning on July 1, 2021, that provide for extramural funds for use by a research faculty to include express provision allowing such funds to be used to pay for the research faculty's salary. Defines research faculty.

Limits the award of academic tenure to positions whose primary duties are instructional.