Prohibits restaurants from imposing a mandatory gratuity service charge for food or beverage services unless the party includes ten or more customers, the service charge does not exceed eighteen per cent, and the customer is notified of the service charge.
Establishes enhanced public notice requirements for changes in land use by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Land and Natural Resources, or University of Hawaii and boundary changes by the Land Use Commission. Requires approval of the project by the community through a referendum of nearby adult residents except for projects within the Mauna Kea science reserve, which require a referendum by all adult residents of the country in which the Mauna Kea science reserve is located. Appropriates moneys.
Establishes the hike safe card program and search and rescue special fund to be administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Requires government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses when the person or entity knowingly enters state, county, or private property, knowingly enters a hiking trail that is closed to the public, or violates applicable laws, provided that the closure is posted by sign, barricade, or other device that gives reasonable notice of the closure. Exempts persons who possess a hike safe card from search and rescue cost reimbursement, under certain conditions. Requires counties and the State Fire Council to adopt ordinances or rules as necessary to pursue reimbursements. Raises the penalty for criminal trespass from a petty misdemeanor to a misdemeanor. Makes appropriations.
Prohibits the State from leasing public lands to or extending the lease of the US Department of Defense or any branch of the US military if the department or branch is noncompliant with any environmental order, consent decree, or memoranda of agreement, or any law, rule, or order on a matter affecting residents' health and safety. Requires Department of Land and Natural Resources to request that the military agree to remediation of existing leased lands prior to the end of the lease term.
Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from approving any land disposition to the United States military that allows for or facilitates any military training activities on the subject lands. Requires that any lease or lease extension between the State and the US Department of Defense or branches of the US military include certain provisions, including an acknowledgement that the State retains authority over all environmental matters within its jurisdiction. Provides that violation of state or federal environmental law, or any law, rule, or order on a matter affecting the health and safety of the State's residents, shall be grounds for terminating the lease.
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to acquire all West Maui water systems by eminent domain and hold the water systems in trust for the County of Maui to manage.
Prohibits certain foreign parties from owning, purchasing, or acquiring an interest in lands located with 10 miles of a military installation or land within the State. Establishes an Office of Intelligence within the Department of Defense to investigate claims that land is unlawfully owned by a prohibited foreign party. Requires the Attorney General to undertake enforcement activities. Appropriates moneys.
Establishes a working group within the Department of Agriculture to develop a plan that creates an educational pathway in the University of Hawaii community college system to equip interested students with the necessary entry level knowledge, skill set, expertise, and advancement potential in the field of meat processing. Require reports to the Legislature.
Authorizes any department of the Invasive Species Council, county, or any agent of a department of the Invasive Species Council or a county, including the Hawaii Ant Lab or an island-based invasive species committee to use community action programs for the control or eradication of certain invasive pests. Defines community action program. Exempts individuals participating in a community action program from pest control operator requirements and regulations.
Maddy summarySB 186 repeals existing inspection requirements for motor carrier vehicles, such as commercial trucks and buses. This change directly affects commercial transportation companies and drivers who currently must undergo mandatory vehicle inspections. The bill’s key provision removes these specific safety inspection mandates from state law, shifting regulatory focus away from routine vehicle checks. The bill is pending further committee review and has not yet become law.
