Sen. Kurt Fevella

Repeals several exemptions from the prohibition on operating a pickup truck with a passenger seated in the bed or load-carrying area, including the exemption that allows passengers over twelve years of age to ride in the bed or load-carrying area. Reduces the fine for violating the prohibition. (SD1)

Requires licensed health care providers to make written findings whether a patient or client has a disability and whether the need for an assistance animal or service animal is related to the disability so long as certain circumstances are present. Requires the civil rights commission in consultation with the department of the attorney general to adopt rules and prescribe forms.

Appropriates funding to develop the Charles Atherton House and property into a University of Hawaii kupuna center and support the activities of the University of Hawaii UHealthy Hawaii initiative. (SD1)

Allows any cemetery authority to be exempted from licensing, bonding, and fee requirements when selling or offering use of its property or portion thereof for the inurnment of cremated remains of its members, adherents, and their families.

Ensures the community health system remains financially viable in the face of healthcare value transformation; ensures access to quality and affordable prescription drugs by vulnerable populations served by community health centers, special needs clinics and other nonprofit healthcare entities covered by the federal 340B pharmacy program.

Increases the maximum fine that may be assessed per fireworks-related violation from $2,000 to $5,000, provided that the fireworks violation does not otherwise have a specific penalty enumerated in chapter 132D, HRS.

Requires that majority of the member of the Hawaiian homes commission be beneficiaries. Authorizes the Governor to establish an inter-agency council. Allows the Hawaiian Homes Commission to retain separate counsel from the Attorney General to provide service to the Commission and beneficiaries. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on the implications of creating a position for the Director of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands that is separate from the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission. (SD1)

Establishes a habitat conservation program manager position. Requires the habitat conservation program manager to draft rules that implement and clarify the intent of chapter 195D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, work with applicants for incidental take licenses, as part of a habitat conservation plan, to develop their projects to minimize and mitigate incidental take of threatened and endangered species to the maximum extent practicable, effectively track and monitor funds and expenditures related to habitat conservation plans, conduct follow-up monitoring for development projects, and implement and manage mitigation and other projects that benefit the recovery of threatened and endangered species. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Prohibits commercial shark tour operations from operating without a permit. Requires the department of land and natural resources to adopt rules to regulate commercial shark tours, including adherence to a code of conduct. (SD1)