Sen. Mike Gabbard

Requires the Department of Education to identify an absence due to the mental health of a student as an excused absence. Defines the term "excused absence". Exempts an absence due to the mental health of a student from the enforcement of penalties relating to compulsory attendance at school. Limits the number of excused absences that may be taken by a student due to mental health reasons.

Authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to establish traffic cameras and issue a citation by mail for certain violations of traffic-related laws. Establishes that intentional destruction or damage to a traffic camera is a class C felony.

Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to establish and operate a Child Care Center Pilot Program on Oahu for eligible children of state employees, one in or near the state capitol and one in Kapolei. Appropriates funds. Repeals on 6/30/2030.

Decreases the time period for the legislative body of a county to approve, approve with modification, or disapprove housing developments exempt from certain requirements pursuant to section 201H-38, HRS, from forty-five days to thirty days.

Maddy summarySB 33 renames the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to the Department of Housing, Economic Development, and Tourism. This procedural bill affects the state department itself and its administrative operations. The change is purely a name adjustment with no new policies, funding, or program changes. It does not alter the department's existing responsibilities or impact the public directly. The bill is currently pending introduction in the legislature.

Beginning with the - school year, requires public elementary, middle, and high school classes to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Requires the Department of Education to adjust state-provided bus and school meal schedules accordingly.

Expands the time period by which a civil action for childhood sexual abuse committed on or after July 1, 2024, may be initiated. Authorizes a court to require personnel of legal entities to undergo training on trauma-informed response. (CD1)

Requires the Department of Agriculture to work with each county to implement feral chicken control programs and feeding of feral animals education campaign. Requires each county to match the funds expended by the Department of Agriculture for the implementation of the feral chicken control program and feeding of feral animals education campaign in that county. (CD1)

Requires the Board of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature on the percentage of agricultural lands that are suitable for farming and actively farmed and certain dollar amounts relating to lease transfers between lessees. (CD1)

Makes it unlawful for any person to operate a weed whacker in or within one hundred feet of a residential zone, subject to certain exceptions. Extends the time for the use of leaf blowers and weed whackers within or near residential zones. Provides exceptions for government entities and agents acting on behalf of government entities during emergencies. Defines weed whacker. (CD1)