Requires the Department of Agriculture to designate certain species as pests, and periodically update taxa designated as pests, for control or eradication and develop and implement a control or eradication program for each designated pest but, if the Department fails to do so, authorizes the applicable county to develop or implement the program. Establishes a plant nursery licensing program to regulate the sale of nursery stock. Prohibits the import of any material infested or infected with a pest or that is a pest unless imported under an appropriate permit or compliance agreement and amends the Department of Agriculture's authority to impose other limits on imports and transportation. Amends the method by which the Board of Agriculture makes and updates noxious weed designations and clarifies responsibilities for the control or eradication of noxious weeds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Sponsored bills
Establishes the Hawaiʻi Cannabis and Hemp Authority and Cannabis and Hemp Control Board within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate all aspects of the cannabis plant. Beginning 1/1/2026, legalizes the personal adult use of cannabis. Establishes taxes on the retail sale of adult-use cannabis and the sale of medical cannabis. Adds new traffic offenses and clarifies existing traffic offenses relating to the consumption or possession of marijuana or marijuana concentrate. Makes conforming amendments related to the legalization of personal adult use of cannabis. Establishes the Cannabis and Hemp Control Implementation Advisory Committee. Transfers the personnel and assets of the Department of Health and assets of the Department of Agriculture relating to cannabis to the Hawaiʻi Cannabis and Hemp Authority. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Establishes the Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Appropriates funds to establish a position within the Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation to assist the Corporation's aerospace coordinator. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Amends the Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council law to be consistent with the General Appropriations Act of 2021. Renames "Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council" to "Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Board". Requires the Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Board and local workforce development boards to develop written conflict of interest policies. Amends provisions related to the selection of the Chairperson, duties, and powers of the Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Board. Repeals the requirement for the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to submit an annual report to the Legislature on the activities of the K-12 Agriculture Workforce Development Pipeline Initiative. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Allows the counties to establish, by ordinance, an opt-in program that allows an annual payment in lieu of real property taxes on the land or improvements thereon that are actively used to produce or store renewable energy that is sold to an electric utility. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Directs the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Agribusiness Development Corporation and the counties, to conduct an agricultural water infrastructure study for the State of Hawaiʻi. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires the Department of Transportation to require that the securing of mooring lines from vessels to commercial docks, wharves, piers, quays, and landings be performed by labor subject to collective bargaining. Sunsets 7/1/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Proposes an amendment to the Hawaiʻi State Constitution to prohibit the Judicial Selection Commission from presenting a list of judicial nominees to the Governor or Chief Justice between August 1 and November 30. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Allows minors under the age of sixteen to work in theatrical employment provided that the employer procures a valid certificate of employment and the minor is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or a certain responsible adult. Requires a nurse certified in basic life support to accompany, supervise, and advocate on behalf of a minor who is under the age of one. Requires a set teacher to be on set to teach a minor who has attained the age of five years and is required to but has been excused from attending school. Defines "nurse" and "set teacher". Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Authorizes a majority of the members of the Board of Education to elect a chairperson from among the members of the Board. Allows the members to annually elect a chairperson upon the start of the next confirmed term for members. Removes the requirement that the chairperson be an at-large member. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)