Establishes a procedure for the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease fast lands and submerged lands that were destroyed by an event triggering a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
Maddy summarySB 837 authorizes school districts to use motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for student transportation when specific safety conditions are met. It directly affects school transportation providers and districts by expanding the types of vehicles they may legally operate for student travel. The bill establishes requirements for vehicle safety standards and operational protocols to ensure student safety during transport. The bill is currently pending in committee (TRS/EDU, WAM) and has not yet advanced to a vote.
Maddy summarySB 949 establishes a working group to study whether Hawaii's land court should be reformed or eliminated. The group will examine the court's structure and operations, then make recommendations to the legislature. This bill does not change current law but initiates a formal review process for the land court system. The working group's findings will inform future legislative decisions about the court's future.
Appropriates funds for salaries and fringe benefits of positions for the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy's Space Science and Engineering Initiative Workforce Development Program, Maunakea Scholars Program, and Internship Program. Appropriates funds for office equipment and supplies, operational costs, and stipends for the Maunakea Scholars Program and Internship Program.
Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract or form a partnership with private parties to assist with the maintenance and management of sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches, as well as publicize that the mineral-based sunscreen in these dispensers is more protective of the coral reefs of the State. Appropriates funds for the installation, maintenance, management, and operation of non-chemical sunscreen dispensers on all state beaches.
Maddy summarySB 758 establishes a State Archives Relocation Task Force to recommend a new location for the state archives building. The bill does not change existing policies but creates a temporary group to study and propose a suitable site. This task force will provide recommendations to the legislature, directly affecting the physical location of the state's historical records. The bill is procedural and currently pending in committee.
Requires the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission to study the feasibility of implementing a "buy clean" decarbonization policy and program in Hawaii. Requires administrative and substantive support from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates moneys.
Authorizes individuals who possess a commercial driver's license with a passenger "P" endorsement to provide pupil transportation student services without also possessing a school bus "S" endorsement in certain circumstances.
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to incorporate into their assessment process the possession of dam insurance or the active seeking of dam insurance by private dam owners, as part of their valid mitigation strategies, in conjunction with approved modifications or repairs. Authorizes the DLNR to relax any restrictions and stringent standards on a dam or appurtenance upon verification of certain insurance coverage. Authorizes the DLNR to consider a dam, reservoir, or appurtenance is safe absent certain documents. Shifts the burden of proof to the DLNR to find that a dam is categorized as high-risk. Establishes additional requirements for the DLNR and Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the Dam and Appurtenance Improvement or Removal Grant Program.
Establishes a criminal penalty and monetary fines for aquarium fishing violations. Clarifies that each fish or aquatic life specimen taken in violation of certain fishing laws regarding aquarium fish and the possession and use of prohibited explosives, electrofishing devices, and poisonous substances constitutes a separate offense.
