Establishes the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
Requires governmental bodies to obtain written approval from the Administrator of the State Procurement Office to cancel invitations for bids, requests for proposals, or other solicitations, or reject bids or proposals. Prohibits post-award remedial actions to be taken unless approved in writing by the Administrator of the State Procurement Office.
Requires the Department of Agriculture to assess the steps necessary for the State to supplement federal authority to perform meat inspections within the State. Requires the Department of Agriculture to assess the steps necessary to transfer full authority over meat inspections from federal authority to the State. Appropriates funds for three full-time equivalent inspector positions within the Department of Agriculture to perform meat inspections.
Allows the Department of Education to create temporary positions under certain conditions. Amends the requirement that the Department of Education report the creation of temporary positions to the Department of Budget and Finance by requiring that the report also be sent to the Legislature.
Requires the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to review and recommend amendments to the Department of Public Safety's operating budget request and any capital improvement project appropriation requests prior to each legislative session. Requires the Commission to inform the Legislature if its recommendations were not accepted. Requires the Commission to advise the Governor as to whether the Department of Public Safety's expenditure plan serves to fulfil the goal of the correctional system's transition to a rehabilitative and therapeutic model. Takes effect 1/1/2050. (SD1)
Requires that appropriations allocated to Department of Education programs that provide instructional services directly to students shall remain within the budget of the program to which they were originally allocated and that the retention of an appropriation shall not be used by the department as a basis for reducing a program's future budget requirements.
Specifies that the practice of election fraud intimidation includes, among other actions (1) The carrying of any firearm or weapon and (2) The act of photographing the face of any voter without permission from both the voter and an appropriate election official when such actions occur at or near a voter service center, place of deposit, or polling place.
Gradually reduces the general excise tax rate imposed on the retail sale of groceries and nonprescription medication over a period of four years until eliminated in calendar year 2027. Preserves the county surcharge on tax and the general excise tax on wholesales of groceries and nonprescription medication. Effective 1/1/2024.
Beginning 7/1/2025, requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources State Historic Preservation Division to contract its review of proposed state projects, and projects affecting historic properties to third party consultants if the projects involve the development of affordable housing and the division, after an initial evaluation, determines it will not be able to complete its review within sixty days. Establishes requirements for qualified third parties providing review services. Requires the project proponent to pay for the reasonable fee requirements of the third party consultant. Allows the project proponent to contract or sponsor with any county, housing authority, non-profit organization, or person, to meet the third party fee requirement. Requires the Department to publish a draft of its proposed rules within one year and within one year thereafter, present its proposed final rules to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. (SD1)
Exempts certain medical services, food, and rent from the general excise tax.
