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)
Requires the department of land and natural resources to develop a department telephone hotline intake training program and upgrade its telephone hotline to enable the department to efficiently and effectively receive information and respond to information and reports relating to the department's duties and responsibilities. Requires the division of conservation and resource enforcement of the department of land and natural resources to enter into memoranda of understanding with other law enforcement agencies to provide twenty-four-hour service through an existing law enforcement dispatch center. Appropriates funds to the department of land and natural resources to upgrade its telephone hotline and establish four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) permanent civil service positions to provide intake services for the department of land and natural resources' telephone hotline twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
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)
Amends the cesspool upgrade, conversion, or connection income tax credit for taxable years beginning after 12/31/17 to: make the tax credit refundable; disallow the tax credit for taxpayers whose federal adjusted gross income exceeds certain amounts; expand the criteria for cesspools that qualify for the tax credit; and extend the sunset date to 12/31/2022. Requires that all cesspools in the State be upgraded or converted to septic or aerobic treatment unit systems or connected to sewer systems by 01/01/2050. Establishes a grant program to assist with cesspool upgrade or conversion costs. Appropriates funds for the grant program. Requires the department of health to develop guidelines for the mandatory disclosure of cesspools on real property. (SD1)
Establishes and appropriates funds for an alternative energy research and development pilot program that authorizes the high technology development corporation to provide matching grants of up to fifty per cent to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the Office of Naval Research.
Clarifies that moneys in the bikeway fund may be expended for expenses incurred by the counties in issuing certificates of inspection for mopeds and related enforcement.
Exempts gross income from agricultural commodities sold directly to consumers from the general excise tax up to a limit of $50,000 per year. (SD1)
Authorizes the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds to finance capital improvements to various irrigation systems. (SD1)
