Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish an independent program relating to the prevention, control, and extinguishment of wildland fires within forest reserves. Authorizes the Administrator of Forestry and Wildlife to establish and maintain facilities for the performance of fire protection, fire prevention, pest control, and forest and range protection and enhancement activities. Allows the State Fire Council to amend the State Fire Code to require certain owners and occupants of properties and holders of easements located in hazardous fire areas to maintain effective firebreaks and to practice other fire prevention activities. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and implement the Community Fuels Reduction Project. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
Sponsored bills
Expands the powers of the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and reactivates the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to help stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Establishes the Condominium Loan Program and the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund, to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority on behalf of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, for the purpose of providing financing for essential repairs and deferred maintenance to condominium associations. Abolishes the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund on 6/30/2047. Establishes the Condominium Loan Loss Reserves Program to incentivize lenders to provide loans at competitive rates and terms to allow condominium associations to make necessary maintenance and repairs. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study to develop long-term solutions to help stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Authorizes the issuance of reimbursable general obligation bonds to facilitate the initial issuance of policies to condominium associations. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility and Convention Center Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived from advertising or marketing in or on the Stadium Facility or Convention Center Facility to be deposited into the appropriate special fund of the facility. Authorizes the display of the name of any entity that leased the naming rights to a stadium operated by the Stadium Authority on the exterior of the stadium. (CD1)
Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to establish positions within the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine's Department of Geriatric Medicine to coordinate and incorporate training on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia for health care providers into existing University of Hawaii programs; and review, update, and develop a dementia curriculum to be incorporated into existing University of Hawaii programs with the goal of establishing a local, informed dementia workforce. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. (CD1)
Requires mandatory written reports of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Human Services to include the military status of the child's parent or other persons responsible for the child's care, if known. Requires the Department of Human Services to inform the appropriate authority for the branch of the United States military when, upon receiving a report of child abuse or neglect, there is sufficient information to determine that the report involves a family where one of the parents, guardians, or alleged perpetrators is a member of an identifiable branch of the United States military. (CD1)
Maddy summarySB 292 creates legal protection for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical care or contact law enforcement. It shields them from being prosecuted for minor offenses like drug possession or prostitution that occurred during their exploitation. This applies specifically when survivors access services through official channels to report or receive care. The bill is currently under committee review, with a public hearing scheduled for February 6, 2025.
Extends the sunset date of the Illegal Fireworks Task Force from 6/30/2025 to 6/30/2030 and extends the annual reporting requirements to the Legislature. (CD1)
Establishes the temporary Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. Clarifies, creates, and strengthens laws regarding crimes and violations related to agriculture or agricultural lands. Establishes clear distinctions between administrative and criminal penalties. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
Prohibits the importation of firewood into the State unless the firewood is certified as heat-treated and labeled accordingly or the importation is authorized and permitted by the Department of Agriculture before importation. Requires persons who import firewood into the State to maintain, and make available on request, records of imports for at least two years. (CD1)
Requires one voting member of the Early Learning Board to have experience as a local provider of early childhood education and development services. Adds the Director of the Hawaii Head Start State Collaboration Office as an ex officio, nonvoting member to the Early Learning Board. Requires the Early Learning Board to invite the President of the Head Start Association of Hawaii, or their designee, to serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the Board. (CD1)