Requires the Public Utilities Commission to consider whether approving a proposed merger or acquisition would or would not further the State's renewable energy goals. Prohibits the acquiring entity of an electric utility company from terminating or attempting to renegotiate any existing and valid power purchase agreements and requires the acquiring entity to assume and be bound by existing collective bargaining agreements and retain all covered employees. Establishes a process to ensure that when an electric utility is subject to an application for a proposed acquisition, merger, or consolidation by a potential acquiring entity that is an investor-owned utility and seeks approval of the application from the Public Utilities Commission, the electric utility shall demonstrate that it solicited bids from potential acquiring entities that operate under a non-investor-owned utility ownership model. Requires the electric utility to submit acceptable bids from a potential acquiring entity operating under a non-investor-owned utility ownership model concurrently with an application by a potential acquiring entity that is an investor-owned utility and the Public Utilities Commission to review those applications concurrently. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Sponsored bills
Exempts from the state general excise tax any grants received from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund by an eligible business pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Requires the Department of Taxation to notify all taxpayers eligible for refunds of any state general excise tax paid for grants received from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund of their eligibility and requires taxpayers to file refund claims no later than six months following notification. Requires any state general excise taxes paid by eligible businesses for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants to be refunded to the taxpayer. Effective 7/1/3000. Applies retroactively to 3/11/2021. (HD1)
Establishes a Plant Nursery Registry Program to regulate the sale of nursery stock. Requires certain plant nurseries to register with the Department of Agriculture. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Expands the circumstances where the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations may waive the requirements for individuals to register to work and report to an employment office to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Authorize the Department to allow individuals to report to a location other than an employment office or other location approved pursuant to its rules. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires notices of determinations and documentation relating to appeals to be sent electronically, unless the election for mail is made. Allows an individual to change an elected withholding status more than once during a benefit year. Amends the statutory definition of "registered for work" or "registration for work". Repeals the requirement for individuals to post their work availability online to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Repeals the statutory provision for joint experience rating. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Prohibits a landlord from rejecting a rental application solely due to an applicant's inability to provide a recent paycheck. Authorizes the landlord to require the applicant to provide evidence dated within ninety days of the application demonstrating the applicant has sufficient unearned income or liquid assets to cover the rental costs. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)
Maddy summarySCR 83 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the State Auditor to conduct a financial audit of Hawaii's institutional networks (used by government, schools, etc.) on each island. The audit aims to determine the actual maintenance costs for these networks, which cable operators were originally contractually required to build at no cost to the state or subscribers. The resolution requires the Auditor to report findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026, including any proposed legislative changes. This is a procedural request for transparency, not a new law.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 66) requests the State Auditor to conduct a financial audit of Hawaii's institutional networks on each island to determine their actual maintenance costs. It directly affects the State Auditor, who must report findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. The resolution aims to increase transparency about costs for these networks, which serve public institutions like schools and government buildings, and addresses concerns that franchise fees (meant for maintenance) may not align with actual expenses. It does not create new law but seeks factual data to inform future decisions.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 207) requests the Hawaii Attorney General to establish a task force to coordinate efforts against illegal gambling and drug activities. The task force would include state, county, and federal agency representatives (like police chiefs, transportation directors, and federal law enforcement) to develop a unified action plan. It specifically asks the task force to examine creating "community safe zones" with zoning requirements - such as requiring gambling-related properties to be at least 10,000 feet from schools, churches, or residential areas - and to submit recommendations to the legislature by early 2026. The resolution does not create new law but directs an agency to form a collaborative group for policy analysis.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 182) requests the Attorney General to create an intergovernmental task force to address illegal gambling and drug activities in Hawaii. The task force would include state agencies (like law enforcement and transportation), county police chiefs, and federal partners (DEA, FBI, Homeland Security) to develop a coordinated plan. Key provisions require the task force to propose a statewide program to eliminate illegal gambling/drug operations and establish "community safe zones" with a minimum 10,000-foot buffer from schools, churches, and residential areas. It does not create new law but asks the task force to recommend legislative actions and submit a final report to the legislature by 2026. The resolution is procedural, focusing on coordination rather than direct policy changes.
Requires an owner or operator of an underground storage tank or tank system with a confirmed release to meet certain standards for the restoration of the environment. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that any detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)