Sen. Gil Riviere

Appropriates funds to DHS and DOH to continue to administer programs for individuals or families who require assistance to avoid or escape homelessness including outreach, Rapid Rehousing, Housing First, Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, and the Family Assessment Center on Oahu. Appropriates funds to HPHA for public housing improvements and renovations statewide and a pilot program for the State Rent Supplement Program.

Enacts voting by mail uniformly across all counties for all elections commencing in 2020, and allows any election to be conducted by mail prior to the 2020 primary election, in whole or in part, as determined by the chief election officer or county clerk, as appropriate. Establishes a limited number of voter service centers that would remain open from the tenth business day preceding an election through the day of the election to receive personal delivery of mail-in ballots, accommodate voters with special needs, offer same day registration and voting, and provide other election services. Allows for additional places of deposit for personal delivery of mail-in ballots. Appropriates funds for the implementation and administration of the election by mail program. Requires the office of elections to submit a report to the legislature prior to the convening of each regular session from 2019 through 2024, regarding the implementation of a vote by mail system. Takes effect on 1/1/2020.

Appropriates funds for one ambulance unit each for the county of Kauai, the county of Hawaii, and the city and county of Honolulu, including equipment, supplies, and personnel costs.

Amends the offense of theft in the first degree, second degree, and third degree to include reckless disregard of risk for the value of the stolen property or services.

Proposes amendments to the state constitution to provide for direct initiative.

Establishes the Hawaii tax credit scholarship program to benefit students with disabilities by providing scholarships to cover transportation costs and any other educational fees associated with a student attending a public school that is not in the service area where the student resides or a nonpublic special education school or program. Establishes eligibility criteria for students to apply for the scholarship program, responsibilities of the department of taxation and department of education, and eligibility criteria for nonprofit scholarship-funding organizations. Applies to tax years beginning after 12/31/17.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Hilo for programs, studies, and activities related to the prevention and eradication of rat lungworm disease.

Provides an income tax credit for qualified taxpayers, with incomes of not more than eighty per cent of the area median income, for qualified costs of an automatic fire sprinkler system installed and placed into any apartment or condominium built before 1975.

Establishes a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for committing an offense of misuse of 911 emergency telephone service.

Bans knowingly selling in the State sunscreen products containing oxybenzone or octinoxate, except for medically-licensed prescriptions. Takes effect on 1/1/2019.