Sen. Angus McKelvey

Maddy summarySB 671 prohibits the use of specific pesticides on all state-owned lands and facilities, such as parks, schools, and government buildings. It directly affects state agencies managing these properties by requiring them to stop using the banned pesticides, except in emergency situations like pest outbreaks threatening public health. The bill’s key provision replaces current pesticide use with this ban, applying only to state-controlled locations and not private land. This is a direct policy change to reduce exposure to certain chemicals on public grounds. The bill is still pending in committee and has not yet become law.

Requires defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of drugs or alcohol to make restitution in the form of financial support to each surviving child of the victim.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract its review of proposed state projects, projects on privately owned historic property, and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants if the Department is unable to complete its review within sixty days.

Establishes the DLNRTip application as the official electronic platform for persons to report natural resource violations to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. Creates statutory requirements regarding the design and maintenance of the DLNRTip application. Require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to ensure that all information submitted through the DLNRTip application is continuously monitored to facilitate timely enforcement responses. Requires annual reports. Authorizes 1.0 full-time equivalent position. Appropriates moneys.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt by rule, any federal rule or regulation relating to the public lands of the State as it existed on 1/1/2025 that it deems are in the public interest.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to acquire all West Maui water systems by eminent domain and hold the water systems in trust for the County of Maui to manage.

Clarifies and strengthens the State's protections against sex-based harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation that occur in public schools, public charter schools, or at the University of Hawaii, including discrimination based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions. Establishes procedures for investigations and decision-making. Requires mandatory reporting by certain employees.

Exempts state and county lands leased after July 1, 2025, for an initial period of not less than ninety-nine years from chapters 516 and 516D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Appropriates funds to support educational training programs to expand the State's health care workforce. Allocates funds to the Department of Education for health care certificate programs and classroom renovations for health care training in public high schools. Allocates funds to the University of Hawaii for education programs that support certified nurse assistants in becoming licensed practical nurses.

Establishes a working group within the Department of Agriculture to develop a plan that creates an educational pathway in the University of Hawaii community college system to equip interested students with the necessary entry level knowledge, skill set, expertise, and advancement potential in the field of meat processing. Require reports to the Legislature.