Sen. Chris Lee

Includes in the State's policies for the physical environment under the Hawaiʻi State Planning Act, the promotion of statewide beach assessments and beach and shoreline adaptation, restoration, and conservation and the pursuit of compatible relationships among activities, facilities, Native Hawaiian traditional practices mauka to makai, and natural resources. Appropriates funds to the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development for the development of a statewide beach assessment study and shoreline adaptation, restoration, and conservation plan. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Requires the auditor to conduct an assessment on the social and financial impacts of mandating health insurance coverage for care provided by a participating registered pharmacist practicing within the scope of the pharmacist's license. Requires a report to the legislature before the 2024 regular session. Appropriates funds. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)

Requires providers of no cost emergency shelter and related services to take steps to ensure pertinent youth obtain and receive services from the juvenile justice or child welfare systems and maintain separation for unrelated adults and minor children. Makes permanent the amendments to the definition of "provider" as it relates to entities eligible to provide no cost emergency shelter and related services to consenting minors. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)

Authorizes each county to adopt ordinances to enforce the design and construction requirements for the provision of accessible parking spaces, including the establishment of penalties for failure to comply with the ordinance. Authorizes officials appointed by a county to enter the property of places of public accommodation to enforce violations of the county ordinances. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)

Establishes the Hawaiʻi Cannabis and Hemp Authority and Cannabis and Hemp Control Board within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate all aspects of the cannabis plant. Beginning 1/1/2026, legalizes the personal adult use of cannabis. Establishes taxes on the retail sale of adult-use cannabis and the sale of medical cannabis. Adds new traffic offenses and clarifies existing traffic offenses relating to the consumption or possession of marijuana or marijuana concentrate. Makes conforming amendments related to the legalization of personal adult use of cannabis. Establishes the Cannabis and Hemp Control Implementation Advisory Committee. Transfers the personnel and assets of the Department of Health and assets of the Department of Agriculture relating to cannabis to the Hawaiʻi Cannabis and Hemp Authority. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to establish a Medical Debt Forgiveness Working Group to study the feasibility of developing, implementing, and executing a program for the State to acquire and forgive outstanding medical debt of Hawaiʻi residents. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Hawaiʻi Film Advisory Council. Amends the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit to: (1) Clarify and amend the requirement for an independent third-party certification; (2) Expand the definition of "qualified production" to include streaming platforms; and (3) Expand the definition of "qualified production costs" to include certain costs associated with products created by Hawaiʻi businesses for use in a production and contracting and licensing of Hawaiʻi-originated music for on-camera use or post-production. Establishes and appropriates funds for a film industry development liaison within the Creative Industries Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Hawaiʻi Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to Hawaiʻi and serve as inspirations to others. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)