Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt by rule any federal regulation relating to the public lands of the State as it existed on 1/1/2025 that it deems is in the public interest.
Establishes patient rights with respect to timely access to specialists and referrals and prior authorization determination timelines. Establishes certain requirements for health carriers for prior authorization determinations. Establishes certain requirements for the use of automated decision support tools for claims determinations and utilization review. Requires health carriers to establish certain safeguards for protected health information. Establishes certain reporting requirements for network adequacy. Establishes certain provider protections. Expands the Insurance Commissioner's enforcement authority.
Prohibits an employer from discriminating against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment based on the person's status as a medical cannabis registry card holder or lawful use of medical cannabis, under certain conditions. Authorizes an employer to use a fit-for-duty test for medical cannabis qualifying patients in potentially dangerous occupations under certain conditions. Prohibits a professional or vocational licensing board from revoking the license of medical cannabis qualifying patients, or otherwise subjecting them to discipline, for their lawful use of medical cannabis, under certain conditions.
Requires any operator of a golf course in the State to consult with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to apply for an incidental take license and enter into a habitat conservation plan. Requires any existing habitat conservation plan that does not include an agreement for emergency medical and rehabilitation services to affected native wildlife to be amended to include the agreement, and the amended rights and obligations under the habitat conservation plan to be recorded by a certain deadline.
Maddy summarySB 2994 establishes a two-year pilot program providing free public transit rides for children (Keiki) on Oahu and Kauai. The bill appropriates state funds to cover the cost of these free rides during the pilot period. It directly affects children using public transit on those islands, removing fare costs for eligible riders. The key mechanism is the temporary, funded program replacing standard fare requirements for children during the two-year trial. This is a concrete policy change focused on expanding access to transit for young residents.
Requires businesses or restaurants open to the public to post a color-coded placard indicating whether the business or restaurant allows firearms or large knives to be brought onto the premises. By January 1, 2027, requires the Department of Law Enforcement to provide businesses and restaurants with free and easily downloadable placards. Effective 1/1/2027.
Adds a minimum penalty and maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code and authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Establishes factors the CWRM must consider when determining the amount of the penalty. Increases maximum fines, for violations that cause harm, every five years from 2030 to 2045.
Establishes a Wastewater Technical Advisory Group to assist the Department of Health in a review of the Department's administrative rules and practices regarding wastewater systems and cesspools and in the development of proposed changes to make cesspool conversions more affordable. Requires report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for positions and hiring of a consultant to assist the Wastewater Technical Advisory Group.
Requires the Office of Sustainable Development to establish a Hawaii Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan. Requires a report to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.
Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to establish a Community Action Center in Chinatown. Expenditure contingent upon the City and County of Honolulu providing matching funds. Appropriation.
