Establishes a two-year program at the University of Hawaiʻi to develop a wildfire forecast system for the State using artificial intelligence. Makes an appropriation. (CD1)
Maddy summaryThis bill allows the State of Hawaiʻi to send and receive the Plant and Animal Declaration Form electronically instead of requiring paper copies. It directly affects travelers entering the state who must declare any plants or animals they are bringing with them. By digitizing this process, the law modernizes how the state collects information to prevent the introduction of invasive species. The change simplifies the entry procedure for visitors while maintaining the same regulatory requirements for declaring biological items.
Makes it unlawful for any person to operate a weed whacker in or within one hundred feet of a residential zone, subject to certain exceptions. Extends the time for the use of leaf blowers and weed whackers within or near residential zones. Provides exceptions for government entities and agents acting on behalf of government entities during emergencies. Defines weed whacker. (CD1)
Establishes a commercial drivers workforce working group within the Department of Transportation to address the workforce shortage of commercial drivers in the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)
Requires vehicles traveling ten miles per hour or more below the posted speed limit on a two-lane highway, behind which five vehicles are formed in a line, to pull over where possible to let the trailing vehicles pass or overtake. (CD1)
Makes it unlawful for an employer to discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize or threaten any adverse employment action against an employee because the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting that communicates the opinion of the employer about political matters, or declines to receive or listen to a communication from the employer that communicates the opinion of the employer about political matters. Defines "employee" and "political matters". (CD1)
Requires the Technology Services Consolidation Working Group to assist the Office of Enterprise Technology Services in working with certain state agencies to inventory and categorize the business criticality of each major state information technology system or data set and determine the appropriate data center or hosting facility requirements. Requires a report to the Legislature. Extends the working group's dissolution date to 6/30/2026. (CD1)
Requires all public charter schools that exclusively offer prekindergarten programs to adhere to the public charter school law, with certain exceptions. (CD1)
Establishes a harm to students registry, for all early learning programs or schools and K-12 educational institutions within the State, that contains information on school employees, contractors, or volunteers for whom, as result of an investigation, a final finding has been issued that the individual has inflicted harm on a student. (CD1)
Removes the salary cap of the Superintendent of Education. Makes permanent the annual performance evaluation requirements for the Superintendent of Education. Takes effect 6/29/2024. (CD1)
