Sen. Kurt Fevella

Increases the size of a deposit glass beverage container from sixty-eight to one hundred twenty-eight fluid ounces. Adds building materials as a purpose under the glass recovery program. Adds wine, spirits, and milk and other dairy-derived products to the definition of "deposit beverage". Increases the size of a deposit beverage container from sixty-eight to one hundred twenty-eight fluid ounces. Takes effect 1/1/2027.

Expands the general excise tax exemption established by Act 47, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, to include amounts received by optometrists, audiologists, and chiropractors, for healthcare-related goods or services purchased under the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs.

Establishes the Warehouse Worker Protection Act. Requires certain warehouse employers to provide written descriptions of quotas to employees and maintain records of quotas and employee work speed data. Protects employees from quotas that would prevent compliance with meal or rest periods or the use of bathroom facilities. Allows employees to request a written description of their quota and employee work speed data. Requires the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the Act.

Establishes an independent complaint and investigation process by requiring that all complaints brought by employees, officers, and trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs be referred directly to an appropriate independent state agency, including the department of the attorney general, the state ethics commission, or the Hawaii civil rights commission. Establishes penalties.

Prohibits certain entities from purchasing single-family residences in the State of Hawaii. Requires reports and certifications to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes penalties and enforcement authority.

Directs the Department of Human Services to convene a working group to develop a statewide Kamaʻaina credit program to assist asset limited, income constrained, employed households to pay for essential living costs. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Establishes uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U and T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas. Requires each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U and T visa certifications, consistent with those statewide requirements. Appropriate funds for the Department of the Attorney General to provide training to state and county certifying entities so that the policies and processes comply with all federal requirements. Appropriates funds to the Department of the Attorney General for the training.

Requires the office of the legislative analyst to produce fiscal notes on all fiscal bills. Prohibits a committee from making a decision on a fiscal bill without a fiscal note. Mandates that fiscal notes be made available to the public. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 2821 requires election officials to maintain a minimum number of voter service centers open on general election day. This policy directly affects voters by ensuring more accessible polling locations on election day. The bill mandates this minimum number through specific administrative requirements for election administration.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds.