Sen. Maile Shimabukuro

Establishes the research and technology grant program within the high technology development corporation to provide grants to qualified research and technology companies in Hawaii for eligible projects. Establishes program guidelines and eligibility criteria for research and technology companies. Requires eligible projects to foster science, technology, engineering, or mathematics education at the K-12 or university levels. Appropriates funds to the program. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Broadens the scope of the Early Learning Program to include early childhood development. Expands the function of the Early Learning Board beyond an advisory capacity and amends the composition and powers of some board members. Allows the Early Learning Board to appoint the director of the Executive Office on Early Learning. (SB687 HD1)

Expands the agricultural commodities general excise tax exemption to include amounts received from loading, transportation, and unloading of cattle, goats, lambs, sheep, hogs, and chickens; meat and carcasses of cattle, goats, lambs, sheep, hogs, and pork; milk and milk products; eggs; and products of aquaculture and aquaponics. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2017. (SD1)

Reallocates $1,000,000 from the transient accommodations tax revenues for the operation of a Hawaiian center and the museum of Hawaiian music and dance at the Hawaii convention center to improving community infrastructure of Native Hawaiian communities, including parks and open spaces in the three predominantly Native Hawaiian communities of Waianae, Waimanalo, and Molokai; provided that the improvements include creating safe space for health promotion activities and physical activity, and creating a Native Hawaiian sense of place.

Amends the membership, mission, and purpose of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. Adds representation for the island of Lana‘i. Authorizes the Chairperson to appoint an advisory committee for historical and archival matters. Authorizes the Commission to appoint an Executive Director. Creates the King Kamehameha celebration special fund. Makes an appropriation. Effective 12/24/88. (SB601 HD1)

Restricts the use of general obligation or revenue bond proceeds to pay for the unfunded pension or other post-employment benefit liabilities accrued for state employees or retirees, by requiring a two-thirds majority vote of each house of the legislature to enact legislation that authorizes the use of bond proceeds for such purposes. Effective August 30, 2050. (SD1)

Increases the rates for certain conveyance tax categories. Increases the percentage of conveyance tax to be paid into the rental housing revolving fund for the financing of affordable rental housing development. Repeals the statutory cap on the disposition of conveyance taxes dedicated for deposit into the rental housing revolving fund. (SD1)

Amends the definition of "water pollutant" as used in chapter 342D, HRS, to exclude locally sourced sand that meets certain conditions.

Prohibits the issuance of new building permits unless it is established that the building will be furnished with equipment that allows for the collection and future use of gray water. Provides for exemptions. Takes effect on 1/1/2020. (SD1)

Phases in a prohibition on the manufacture and sale of personal care products containing synthetic plastic microbeads.