Sen. Kurt Fevella

Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from approving any land disposition to the United States military that allows for or facilitates any military training activities on the subject lands. Requires that any lease or lease extension between the State and the US Department of Defense or branches of the US military include certain provisions, including an acknowledgement that the State retains authority over all environmental matters within its jurisdiction. Provides that violation of state or federal environmental law, or any law, rule, or order on a matter affecting the health and safety of the State's residents, shall be grounds for terminating the lease.

Requires the Department of Transportation to install and use at each state airport and commercial harbor electronic equipment capable of scanning for illegal fireworks.

Establishes enhanced public notice requirements for changes in land use by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Land and Natural Resources, or University of Hawaii and boundary changes by the Land Use Commission. Requires approval of the project by the community through a referendum of nearby adult residents except for projects within the Mauna Kea science reserve, which require a referendum by all adult residents of the country in which the Mauna Kea science reserve is located. Appropriates moneys.

Establishes the Hawaii State Fellows Program within the Department of Human Resources Development to match talented applicants with full-time, paid fellowship roles in various state agencies for a period of ten to eleven months. Establishes minimum qualifications and procedures for eligible applicants to apply to the program. Gives preference to eligible program applicants who have pre-existing ties to the State or a demonstrated commitment to long-term leadership in the State. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, to coordinate with state agencies to implement and promote the program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Requires the Department of Human Services to assess the feasibility of offering a 20% discount on certain goods and services for the State's low- to moderate-income elders.

Provides that complex area superintendents have the authority to implement the farm to school and farm to school meals programs. Requires certain school cafeteria supervisors to report directly to complex area superintendents. Establishes school cafeteria supervisor positions. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a compensation review of school cafeteria supervisor positions. Appropriates funds.

Allows the raising of the building height limit for 2 of the 5 parcels owned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in the Kakaako Makai area to 400 feet. Lifts the current restriction against residential development on the 5 OHA-owned parcels in Kakaako Makai to allow residential development by OHA or by third parties to which OHA conveys the parcels. Requires OHA and any developer to provide written notice to any tenant or resident of potential aircraft related nuisances before entering into a lease, and to assess and propose mitigation efforts to address aircraft related nuisances in development plans and proposals.

Establishes a special intergovernmental task force to eradicate illegal gambling and drug activities and to establish community safe zones across the State. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Maddy summarySB 247 would add a surcharge to the existing transfer tax when agricultural land is sold. It directly affects individuals or entities selling agricultural land who realize a net capital gain from the sale. The bill imposes this surcharge on the conveyance tax amount calculated for such transactions. The key provision is that the surcharge applies specifically to the net capital gain portion of the land transfer, not the full sale price. This is a tax policy change affecting agricultural land sales, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Requires the county police departments to purchase and deploy explosion detection technology equipment to assist in the location of and response to explosions caused by the illegal use of firearms and fireworks. Appropriates moneys to the counties as a grant in aid.