Sen. Tim Richards

Establishes a working group within the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study to assess the State's port and harbor system and the potential viability of each location in that system to support current and future agricultural product transportation methods and needs. Requires a report. Appropriates moneys.

Maddy summarySB 348 adopts the Uniform Antitrust Pre-Merger Notification Act, establishing a standard process for notifying state regulators before certain business mergers occur. It would require companies to submit specific information to state authorities prior to completing acquisitions that meet defined size thresholds. This bill directly affects businesses planning significant mergers within the state and state antitrust enforcement agencies. The bill is in early stages (pending introduction as of January 14, 2025) and does not detail specific notification requirements or thresholds in the provided context.

Establishes a spay and neuter special fund. Establishes a spay and neuter special fund advisory committee to develop eligibility criteria for and manage the disbursement of the special fund. Authorizes, and requires the Director of Taxation to amend the individual state income tax form to facilitate, the designation of tax refund moneys to be paid to the spay and neuter special fund. Appropriates moneys into and out of the special fund.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department of Education to require the teaching of financial literacy to be included in the existing personal transition plan requirement for each student.

Requires any hospital with an operating room licensed by the Department of Health to adopt and implement policies to prevent exposure to surgical smoke.

Requires the Department of Health to construct, establish, and operate an environmental toxins testing laboratory to test samples submitted by the public for diseases; water, air, and soil quality; and complex testing. Requires a report to the Legislature. Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds. Appropriates funds.

Appropriates funds to support educational training programs to expand the State's health care workforce. Allocates funds to the Department of Education for health care certificate programs and classroom renovations for health care training in public high schools. Allocates funds to the University of Hawaii for education programs that support certified nurse assistants in becoming licensed practical nurses.

Part I: Establishes a WAI Policy Coordinator and other positions within the Commission on Water Resource Management for coordination of Red Hill WAI initiatives. Creates the Red Hill Remediation Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature, Governor, and Mayor and City Council of the City and County of Honolulu. Appropriates funds. Part II: Allows the Commission of Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel. Repeals the position of Deputy to the Chairperson of the Commission and establishes the position of Executive Director of the Commission. Amends the composition of the Commission and administratively attaches it to DLNR. Authorizes entities to challenge an emergency order of the Commission under certain conditions. Establishes fines for certain water use offenses. Amends the Commission's authority to declare water emergencies and issue orders to address them and declare water shortages and related notice requirements. Specifies that the nominating committee of the Commission shall include one person appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules lifting the moratorium on fishing in the Lapakahi Marine Life Conservation District.

Establishes a Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and other relevant stakeholders. Establishes the Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program Special Fund. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to adopt administrative rules. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.