Sen. Michelle Kidani

Restricts the use of general obligation or revenue bond proceeds to pay for the unfunded pension or other post-employment benefit liabilities accrued for state employees or retirees, by requiring a two-thirds majority vote of each house of the legislature to enact legislation that authorizes the use of bond proceeds for such purposes. Effective August 30, 2050. (SD1)

Increases the rates for certain conveyance tax categories. Increases the percentage of conveyance tax to be paid into the rental housing revolving fund for the financing of affordable rental housing development. Repeals the statutory cap on the disposition of conveyance taxes dedicated for deposit into the rental housing revolving fund. (SD1)

Establishes transit oriented development community development districts. Authorizes the Hawaii community development authority to plan and develop infrastructure capacity at each of the transit stations established as transit oriented development community districts. Requires the authority to plan and develop infrastructure for state owned land surrounding one of the following rail stations: Aloha stadium, Kalihi, Iwilei, or leeward community college. Allows the authority to enter into public private partnerships.

Requires that any person who is eligible to vote but is not already registered to vote and applies for a new or renewed motor vehicle driver's license, provisional license, or instruction permit, or a new, renewed, or duplicate civil identification card be automatically registered to vote unless the applicant affirmatively declines to be registered to vote. Authorizes access to and electronic transmission of databases maintained or operated by the counties or the department of transportation containing driver's license or civil identification card information to election officials and the statewide voter registration system. Takes effect on 1/7/2059. (SD1)

Amends the cesspool upgrade, conversion, or connection income tax credit for taxable years beginning after 12/31/17 to: make the tax credit refundable; disallow the tax credit for taxpayers whose federal adjusted gross income exceeds certain amounts; expand the criteria for cesspools that qualify for the tax credit; and extend the sunset date to 12/31/2022. Requires that all cesspools in the State be upgraded or converted to septic or aerobic treatment unit systems or connected to sewer systems by 01/01/2050. Establishes a grant program to assist with cesspool upgrade or conversion costs. Appropriates funds for the grant program. Requires the department of health to develop guidelines for the mandatory disclosure of cesspools on real property. (SD1)

Provides that, notwithstanding provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to the contrary, the amount of the state tax credit for research activities shall be calculated based on all qualified research expenses for the taxable year. Appropriates funds for a compliance specialist position within DOTAX to assist with administration of the tax credit.

Allows, in cases where the Department of Education directly expends its own funds for disaster relief to be directly credited with any federal disaster relief reimbursement. Clarifies that the Department of Education may carry over funds received as disaster relief appropriation or reimbursement. (SD1)

Establishes and appropriates funds for an alternative energy research and development pilot program that authorizes the high technology development corporation to provide matching grants of up to fifty per cent to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the Office of Naval Research.

Requires, on or before 1/1/2020, the public utilities commission to establish performance incentive and penalty mechanisms that directly tie electric utility revenues to the utility's achievement on performance metrics.

Increases the fine for failure to use a seat belt.