Sen. Angus McKelvey

Maddy summarySB 1223 requires the Department of Education to create a pilot program teaching water safety skills to public school students, funded through state appropriations. The program must be based on established safety standards and will operate in select schools during its pilot phase. This bill directly affects K-12 students in participating school districts by integrating water safety education into their curriculum. The key provision is the dedicated state funding to develop and implement this standards-based pilot program.

Requires the Department of Transportation or appropriate county department when disposing of a deceased cat or dog from a public roadway to scan the animal for a microchip, record certain information, and report that information to the appropriate county animal services or animal service contractors. Appropriates funds.

Prohibits the sale of geolocation information and internet browser information without consent. Prohibits the sale of data collected through eavesdropping or through an application operating in the background of a device that uses the device's microphone.

Transfers from the Department of Land and Natural Resources certain state boating facilities on Maui to the County of Maui with the corresponding revenue from those harbors. Appropriates funds.

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program, to consist of a reimbursement program and grant program, to assist certain farmers and livestock producers with transportation costs for agricultural products, inputs, supplies, and production and distribution of agricultural commodities. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agricultural Development Corporation for the purchase of an agricultural parcel for agricultural development. Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii Island Property Manager position within the ADC. Appropriates funds.

Authorizes the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish a two-year Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program to provide 50 per cent matching grants to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the United States Department of Defense Office of Naval Research. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to adopt administrative rules to implement the Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program. Establishes the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds.

Establishes a Teacher Workforce Housing Stipend Program to support teacher retention at public and charter schools classified as rural and underserved. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Requires retirants rehired as teachers or administrators in teacher shortage areas or in difficult-to-fill positions to be paid at least the minimum salary for their experience and qualifications. Prohibits rehired retirants from receiving additional employment benefits. Directs the Department of Education to adopt rules to identify teacher shortage areas and difficult-to-fill positions.

Maddy summarySB 1190 provides funding to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to support its work controlling and eradicating invasive species across the state. This bill directly affects the Council and its ability to implement programs targeting harmful non-native plants and animals threatening Hawaii's ecosystems. The key provision is the allocation of state funds to advance these conservation efforts, without changing existing laws or creating new regulations.