Requires the employees' retirement system to divest its investment portfolio of coal, oil, and gas companies within an unspecified number of years and to report certain information to the legislature.
Establishes the Hawaii Hydrogen Energy Industry Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Hawaii Hydrogen Energy Industry Program to design, implement, and administer activities to further the State's energy independence with a focus on utility-scale renewable energy projects and the harvesting, storage, and use of hydrogen as a renewable energy source. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to accomplish the objectives of the Hydrogen Energy Industry Program by offering tax credits, land, availability, and infrastructure support to accomplish the goals of the program.
Establishes a Dam and Reservoir Working Group to ensure and enhance the continued availability and operation of dams and reservoirs in the State.
Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to create a standard lease application and programmatic environmental impact statement to streamline the process for leasing government-owned Hawaiian fishponds. Appropriates funds.
Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a feasibility study on the State's ability to achieve its renewable energy goals by 2045 and to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to develop a strategic plan that outlines benchmarks to achieve a one hundred per cent renewable energy portfolio standard and to submit the strategic plan to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024.
Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources a water security working group to study and recommend priority capital improvement projects for legislative consideration and approval that leverage public-private investment to increase Hawaii's water security. Makes an appropriation.
Removes biomass from the renewable portfolio standard definition of renewable energy.
Exempts artisan-scale composting operations from department of Health regulations to divert organic materials from Hawaii's landfills.
Establishes the Parental Rights Protection Act, which makes the liberty of a parent to direct the upbringing, education, care, and welfare of a parent's child a fundamental right. Prohibits the State, counties, or any political subdivision thereof from infringing on the fundamental right without demonstrating a compelling governmental interest by the least restrictive means.
Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation for the Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research Program. Beginning with fiscal year 2025-2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish the Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research Program as a separate line item within the Department's budget.
