Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to incorporate into their assessment process the possession of dam insurance or the active seeking of dam insurance by private dam owners, as part of their valid mitigation strategies, in conjunction with approved modifications or repairs. Authorizes the DLNR to relax any restrictions and stringent standards on a dam or appurtenance upon verification of certain insurance coverage. Authorizes the DLNR to consider a dam, reservoir, or appurtenance is safe absent certain documents. Shifts the burden of proof to the DLNR to find that a dam is categorized as high-risk. Establishes additional requirements for the DLNR and Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the Dam and Appurtenance Improvement or Removal Grant Program.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 545 prohibits the use of synthetic substances in meals served at public schools and public charter schools operated under the Department of Education. The bill defines "synthetic substances" to clarify which ingredients or additives are restricted. This directly affects school meal programs by requiring them to eliminate these substances from student food. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced and passed first reading.
Establishes the Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund and Hawaii Wildfire Relief Fund Corporation within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to provide compensation for property damage resulting from catastrophic wildfires in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature and Governor. Appropriates funds.
Establishes the Accessible Wilderness and State Parks Trails Program within the Division of State Parks of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Establishes the Accessible Wilderness and State Parks Trails Program Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
Requires the State Fire Marshal to establish a Statewide Firefighting Helicopter Program. Appropriates funds for the State Fire Marshal to obtain helicopters, facilities equipment, drones, and supplies; hire and train staff; and do other things necessary to ensure that the Program is ready to begin providing aerial firefighting services on 7/1/2026.
Designates the Department of Land and Natural Resources as the primary agency for the trapping of feral goats, sheep, and pigs. Requires the Department to establish a program to humanely manage populations of feral goats, sheep, and pigs in the State by trapping.
Maddy summarySB 569 funds an additional ambulance for the island of Hawaii, specifically based in Makalei, to support local emergency medical services. The bill provides operational funding for this new ambulance, directly affecting residents on the island who rely on emergency response in that area. It does not change existing health policies but allocates state resources to expand ambulance coverage on Hawaii Island. This is a straightforward funding measure, not a policy change.
Appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop, construct, and support facilities that can accommodate shock aging processes for meat products. Appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Agricultural Development Revolving Fund for programmatic funding relating to facilities using shock aging processes for meat products. Authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to contract with existing and future slaughterhouses in the State.
Raises the minimum age requirement to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Removes the parental consent and written approval by the family court requirements for a minor to marry. Removes spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Makes conforming amendments.
Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's Research and Economic Analysis Division to conduct a comprehensive study to assess the impacts of minimum wage increases on small businesses and the overall economic health of the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Makes an appropriation.