Sen. Kurt Fevella

Creates an exception to the exclusive right to compensation under workers' compensation law where COVID-19 is contracted by an employee whose employer failed to maintain adequate workplace protections against exposure to the novel coronavirus. Creates a presumption that COVID-19 has been proximately caused by an employer's failure to maintain adequate workplace protections against exposure to the novel coronavirus.

Requires the department of education's existing Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) working group to create a state plan to make completion of the FAFSA or an opt-out waiver a statewide graduation requirement by the 2023-2024 school year. Requires a report to the 2022 legislature. Effective 7/1/2051. (HD1)

Proposes a constitutional amendment that guarantees individuals the right to a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air, and healthy ecosystems, and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, scenic, and healthful qualities of the environment. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Requires certain public buildings near mass transit projects and on Hawaiian home lands to display portraits of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. (SD1)

Requires that mandatory seller disclosures in real estate transactions include identification of residential real properties lying within the sea level rise exposure area, as designated by the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission or its successor.

PART I - Establishes the University of Hawaii (UH) Cancer Research Center in statute as the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii. Requires the Director of the Cancer Research Center to be appointed in accordance with the Board of Regents policy. Requires the Cancer Research Center to be administratively affiliated with the John A. Burns School of Medicine to achieve greater efficiency. PART II - Requires UH to develop a plan for the School of Medicine and Cancer Research Center to achieve greater operational efficiencies. Requires the UH President to submit a progress report to the Legislature before the 2023 regular session. PART III - Extends the sunset of Act 38, SLH 2017, exempting UH's technology transfer activities from certain provisions of the state ethics code to 6/30/2024. Prohibits technology transfer activities in which UH employees have a conflict of interest. Requires Board of Regents to report employee conflicts to the Legislature. PART IV - Temporarily reenacts provisions of Act 39, SLH 2017, reestablishing UH's innovation and commercialization initiative program to 6/30/2024. Prohibits program activities in which UH employees have a conflict of interest. Requires UH to report employee conflicts to the Legislature. PART V - Temporarily repeals changes made by Act 42, SLH 2018, allowing the UH president to act as UH's Chief Procurement Officer for procurement contracts under chapter 103D, HRS, until 6/30/2024. (AD1)

Requires dog and cat owners to microchip their pets. Takes effect 1/1/2022. (CD1)

Requires the department of education to publish a weekly report on schools that have reported positive COVID-19 cases. (CD1)

Adds a permanent commercial driver's license disqualification for a commercial driver's license or commercial learner's permit holder who is convicted of a felony involving severe forms of trafficking in persons, without the possibility of reinstatement. (CD1)

Clarifies removal processes for unauthorized vessels. Clarifies the criteria for determining whether a vessel is abandoned. Reduces the allowable time frame to claim an unauthorized vessel that is impounded by the department of land and natural resources from thirty days to ten working days. Reduces the allowable time frame to claim an abandoned vessel that is impounded by a state or county agency from twenty days to ten working days. Makes abandonment of a vessel in the waters of the State or public property a petty misdemeanor. Clarifies auction requirements regarding abandoned vessels. Allows the department of land and natural resources to charge an impound storage fee. (CD1)