Sen. Rachele Lamosao

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii I Hoa Na Moolelo program, including for the hiring of a graduate assistant, hiring of undergraduate writers, and acquiring a new website domain. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Amends the break in service requirement for retirants to six months before they can be rehired as teachers or administrators in teacher shortage areas or in hard-to-fill positions. Prohibits rehired retirants from receiving additional employment benefits. Directs the Department of Education to adopt rules to identify teacher shortage areas and hard-to-fill positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Exempts disabled veterans from the State's vehicle weight tax and repeals the exemption for disabled veterans from the State's annual vehicle registration fee. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Clarifies the definition of "covered employer" under the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act. Requires covered employers to automatically enroll covered employees into the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program unless the employee chooses to opt out. Repeals the limit on the total fees and expenses that can be spent for the Program each year. Appropriates funds to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for the development and operation of the Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Authorizes a tax credit for businesses that pay the public transportation costs of employees. Requires reports to the Legislature. Applies for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025 but not beginning after 12/31/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Appropriates funds to the Department of Accounting and General Services to hire a consultant to evaluate potential locations and designs for the Hawaii First Responders Memorial. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Expands workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma of the respiratory system; cancer of the buccal cavity, colon, pharynx, and thyroid; and malignant melanoma. Specifies that an employer may prove that the cancer or disease was not associated with the firefighting duties to deny medical benefits under workers' compensation law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires contested cases, environmental assessment cases, or environmental impact statement cases involving renewable energy projects over twenty megawatts in size, except cases that involve any form of incineration, to be appealed from an agency's decision directly to the Hawaii Supreme Court for final decision. Requires the cases to be prioritized and decided expeditiously. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Increases the minimum age for moped operators from fifteen to sixteen years. Increases the minimum age requirement for individuals prohibited from operating a moped unless they wear a safety helmet from eighteen to twenty-one years. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)