Sen. Michelle Kidani

Maddy summarySB 617 requires that for every draft environmental impact statement (a review of potential environmental effects), a public hearing must be held in the community directly impacted by the proposed project. This affects communities near developments like construction, energy projects, or infrastructure changes. The key provision mandates these hearings before the final environmental review is completed, ensuring local residents can provide input early in the process. The bill aims to increase community involvement in environmental decision-making.

Establishes an inter-division program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources consisting of certain agencies to address the location, movement, and restoration of Hawaiian burial sites or ‘iwi, exposed or likely to be exposed by coastal erosion. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires state agencies that monitor environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels (EALs) to ensure the preservation of a safe environment. Prohibits modifications to EALs unless certain procedural requirements are met. Establishes a process to allow any resident to petition for modifications to an established EAL.

Amends the Hawaii State Constitution to prohibit the State from denying or interfering with an individual's reproductive freedom, including the right to choose to obtain an abortion and to obtain or use contraceptives.

Establishes a Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group within the Department of Health to assess the feasibility of allowing business owners in the State to utilize filtered water collected by water catchment systems for business activities. Requires the Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2027 and dissolve on 6/30/2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Adds the Chairperson of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, or the Chairperson's designee, to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board of Directors. Amends quorum requirements for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board of Directors.

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Crimes Council. Expands the duties of the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with and support the Council. Requires all moneys, revenues, and fines received and processed by the Council to be deposited into the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund. Allows moneys in the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund to be expended to cover the costs of the Council. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes as a class B felony the unlicensed performance of contractor work, during or within 5 years following a national emergency, state of emergency, or disaster proclamation, in an affected political subdivision. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Establishes Braille literacy as a policy of the State. Requires literacy assessments for eligible low vision and blind students to include Braille instruction and the use of Braille. Authorizes the Department of Education to adopt administrative rules. Establishes the Braille Literacy Resource Center. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Creates a framework for the licensure of rural emergency hospitals by the Department of Health. Provides for the continuation of Medicaid policy protections for hospitals transitioning to a rural emergency hospital designation.