Sen. Tim Richards

Requires each state agency to expeditiously use energy efficient lighting. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to provide technical assistance and survey state agencies for compliance, prioritizing first responder facilities. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to assist the Hawaii State Energy Office in conducting the survey. Requires a report of the survey to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 1539 allocates state funds to reduce the existing debt for the Waiahole Water System, directly benefiting this water utility. The bill provides specific financial resources to offset the system's outstanding obligations, with the provisions taking effect on July 1, 2050. This appropriation is the key mechanism, changing the system's debt burden without altering water rates or service terms. The measure is a straightforward funding action, not a policy change affecting broader regulations or public programs.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for the purchase of a land parcel in Kau for agricultural development. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires the Department of Health, to the extent allowable under federal law, to prioritize the use of Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund moneys for projects by homeowners to upgrade cesspools to director-approved wastewater systems or connect homeowners' properties to sewerage systems, including projects for the installation of cluster systems or community package plants. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Expands the types of employees protected by the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and all individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Adds state contractor's performance assessment to information required to be included in the past performance database maintained by the State Procurement Office. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Requires the Department of Education to administer a general dyslexia screening to all students in kindergarten through grade three. Requires the Department of Education to continue to administer the general English language arts universal screening for students in kindergarten through grade nine. Requires the Department of Education to collaborate with teacher training programs to ensure prospective candidates are trained on literacy instruction, including evidence-based intervention, to support all students. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Clarifies that projects seeking exemptions from planning and development laws and rules may be modified by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation under certain conditions. Authorizes HHFDC to make recommendations to appropriate Legislative bodies. Requires HHFDC or a county to accept an application seeking certain exemptions within thirty days, and to process the application within one hundred twenty days before final approval by a county legislative body for certain housing projects. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Creates an expedited permitting process to authorize the destruction or control of feral pigs on privately owned land, if the feral pigs have caused or are likely to cause substantial damage to agricultural or aquacultural crops, indigenous plants or wildlife, or pose a threat to human health and safety.

Requires insurers offering homeowners insurance policies to comply with certain minimum requirements in cases of losses of owner-occupied residences due to a catastrophic disaster. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)