Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to have electric utilities separately issue requests for proposals for firm renewable energy generation and requests for proposals for intermittent renewable energy generation. Prohibits the Public Utilities Commission from approving any new or renewed utilityowned generation project by a public utility or any new or renewed power purchase agreement for electricity generation with affiliated interests with a public utility. Appropriates moneys to the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a study. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Establishes the Rural Health Task Force within the Department of Health to make recommendations on registered nurse recruitment and retention in rural areas of east Maui, Molokai, and Lanai. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Implements a schedule and standards for the inspection and repair of underground storage tanks. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Allows the Department of Transportation to: (1) Install and lease telecommunication facilities; (2) Contract for the installation, lease, and management of telecommunication facilities; and (3) Grant longitudinal access to the right-of-way of a highway for the installation, operation, and maintenance of a telecommunication facility under certain conditions. Requires the Director of Transportation to adopt certain administrative rules. Authorizes the Director of Transportation to offer a broadband service provider use of and access to its spare conduits and related telecommunication facilities under certain conditions. Grants a property owner the right of just compensation from the Department of Transportation or the broadband provider for any decrease in land value due to the expanded use of an existing easement to install or operate a telecommunication facility. Creates the Smart Highway Corridor Special Fund. Exempts the Department of Transportation from rulemaking requirements for one year for the purposes of this Act. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Provides for the term expiration of a holdover member of a board or commission at the end of the first regular legislative session following the expiration of the member's term. Requires the Governor to appoint an individual to fill all board and commission vacancies within one hundred eighty days. Authorizes the President of the Senate to nominate a successor member for a board or commission in certain circumstances. Limits holdover appointments in certain respects. Requires department heads to inform the Governor of any vacancy in any board or commission. Makes conforming amendments. (SD1)

Requires the Department of Transportation Harbors Division to conduct a comprehensive study examining increased commercial activity at Kalaeloa Harbor to support the offloading of additional cargo containers and livestock transportation. Makes an appropriation. (SD1)

Exempts any person who has reached the age of sixty-five from the requirement of having a debilitating medical condition to be eligible for the use of medical cannabis. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Expands the purpose and rationale for which counties may create special improvement districts to include environmental research, restoration, and maintenance; natural resource management; and natural hazard mitigation to improve environmental conditions and provide community benefits. Allows the counties to create special improvement districts for climate change and hazard mitigation. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Specifies under the Hawaii Rules of Evidence that a court may order that the testimony of witnesses be taken through a live two-way video connection in certain circumstances.

Requires the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to establish a working group to conduct a study to identify state office buildings that can provide equitable telecommunication access to allow residents of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui, and rural areas of the City and County of Honolulu, including residents with disabilities, to participate remotely in legislative hearings. Requires a report to the Legislature. Dissolves the working group on 6/30/2023. (SD1)