Sen. Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran

Exempts the appointment and removal of an administrator of a liquor commission from civil service laws and requires the appointment to be subject to the advice and consent of the legislative body of the county. Allows the commission to issue a temporary license when the applicant or the transferor or transferee, in the case of a transfer of a license, is actively challenging a tax assessment, penalty, or other proceeding that prevents the issuance of a signed certificate from the appropriate federal or state tax agency. Limits the criminal history record check requirements for applicants of liquor licenses who are corporations or other entity to those persons with management or operational authority over the liquor-related operations. Allows, rather than requires, any investigator or other employee of the liquor commission to be represented and defended in any criminal or civil cause of action arising out of an action done as part of the investigator's or other employee's duty by certain specified counsel.

Amends fines for the destroying or harvesting of koa trees and other trees and plants on state lands to an amount up to the current market value of each tree or plant at that location and the cost of restoration or replacement of the habitat. Clarifies that any person that violates a provision of part II of chapter 183, HRS (forest reserves), or any rule adopted pursuant thereto, other than section 183-17, HRS, shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor. Repeals the general penalty provision of chapter 183, HRS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to allow each gubernatorial nominee to appoint, following the primary election, a person from the same political party as a running mate for lieutenant governor in the general election.

Specifies that an affidavit on application for voter registration shall be a part of the application associated with the issuance of a civil identification card and driver's license. Requires each county examiner of drivers to electronically store the contents of the affidavit on application for voter registration provided by applicants in conjunction with their driver's license and civil identification card applications and provide electronic accessibility of this information. Effective 1/1/2018.

Removes redundant investigating and reporting requirements of the Department of Human Services and the family courts in cases where temporary restraining orders are sought for alleged domestic abuse involving a family or household member who is a minor or incapacitated person.

Alters the definition of "business" or "engaging" in business under the general excise tax laws to exclude casual sales and businesses that have a worldwide web site as a third-party content provider on a computer physically located in the State but owned by a non-affiliated person; use non-affiliated third-party call centers that accept and process telephone or electronic orders of tangible personal property or licenses primarily from non-Hawaii buyers, which orders are forwarded to a location outside of Hawaii for filing, or to provide services primarily to non-Hawaii customers; and activities of a person without physical presence in the State if the person and the person's affiliates have less than $100,000 of gross receipts in the State based on receipts from the prior calendar year.

Requires weigh-in of commercial maritime cargo vehicles with cargo of 55,000 pounds or more immediately upon departing a commercial harbor. Requires report to Department of Transportation on every container or load of such poundage that arrived in a State harbor for transport on state highways.

Authorizes the issuance of GO bonds for plans of a biological control containment facility on Oahu.

Beginning with the primary election in 2018, requires the office of elections to implement election by mail in a county with a population of fewer than 100,000 and beginning with the 2020 primary election, implement election by mail in each of the other counties for all elections. Establishes an election by mail system, including requirements for ballots, replacement ballots, deficient return of ballots, electronic transmission of replacement ballots under certain circumstances, ballot counting, voter service centers, places of deposit, and election expenses and responsibilities. Establishes procedures for postponed elections. Makes conforming amendments to provide for an election by mail system. Allows voters in an election by mail system to request that their ballots be temporarily forwarded to another address in or outside of the State for a single election or a primary or special primary election and the election immediately following it. Appropriates funds for the implementation and administration of the elections by mail program. Requires the office of elections to submit annual reports to the legislature from 2018 to 2024 regarding implementing the elections by mail program.