Establishes within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations' Office of Community Services the Immigration Services and Access Unit. Makes appropriations for the unit, including funding for new positions. (CD1)
Requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to convene a working group to study the state of American Sign Language interpretation services in Hawaiʻi. Requires a report to the Legislature, with the assistance of the Department of Health. (CD1)
Establishes the Office of the State Fire Marshal within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to be headed by a State Fire Marshal. Exempts the State Fire Marshal from Civil Service Law. Requires the State Fire Council to establish the terms of employment for the State Fire Marshal and appoint the State Fire Marshal to serve for a term of five years. Requires the State Fire Council to report to the Legislature. Makes appropriations. (CD1)
Establishes a two-year program at the University of Hawaiʻi to develop a wildfire forecast system for the State using artificial intelligence. Makes an appropriation. (CD1)
Establishes the offense of charitable fraud during a state of emergency. Provides that a person commits charitable fraud during a state of emergency if that person, during a state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor, performs certain deceptive acts or practices in connection with the solicitation of a contribution to assist persons affected by a disaster or emergency. (CD1)
Maddy summaryThis bill allows the State of Hawaiʻi to send and receive the Plant and Animal Declaration Form electronically instead of requiring paper copies. It directly affects travelers entering the state who must declare any plants or animals they are bringing with them. By digitizing this process, the law modernizes how the state collects information to prevent the introduction of invasive species. The change simplifies the entry procedure for visitors while maintaining the same regulatory requirements for declaring biological items.
Establishes a commercial drivers workforce working group within the Department of Transportation to address the workforce shortage of commercial drivers in the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)
Requires vehicles traveling ten miles per hour or more below the posted speed limit on a two-lane highway, behind which five vehicles are formed in a line, to pull over where possible to let the trailing vehicles pass or overtake. (CD1)
Requires all public charter schools that exclusively offer prekindergarten programs to adhere to the public charter school law, with certain exceptions. (CD1)
Requires the Hawaiʻi Labor Relations Board to adopt rules establishing criteria and procedures for the creation of new bargaining units. Requires certain employees or any employer or exclusive representative proposing a new bargaining unit to submit an application to the Board. Allows certain employees or any employer or exclusive representative to petition the Board to determine the appropriateness of a new bargaining unit. Requires the Board to consider certain criteria in determining the appropriateness of a new bargaining unit. Requires the Board to, upon its approval of the application, submit a report to the Legislature, including proposed legislation to create the new bargaining unit, accompanied by a decision and order issued by the Board. Makes an appropriation. Repeals 7/1/2027. (CD1)
