Sen. Angus McKelvey

Limits the ability of the board of directors of a planned community association to impose excessive regular assessments or special assessments, except in emergency situations, without the approval of a majority of members present at an association meeting or by the written consent of the majority of members without a meeting. (HB236 HD1)

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a tiered energy savings rate structure for customers of electric utilities. Allows the Commission to establish discounted rates for low-income customers of electric utilities. Reforms the public benefits fee. Allows the fee to be used to benefit energy efficiency advancement for low- and middle-income ratepayers and for emergency energy workforce retraining and transition programs. Authorizes the department of taxation to disclose tax return information to the public utilities commission in accordance with the purposes of this Act and applies penalties for intentional disclosure of the tax return information. (HB1574 HD1)

Establishes the special operations K9 unit special fund. Appropriates money to the fund for deputy canines and full-time equivalent (FTE) permanent canine handler positions within the department of public safety.

Establishes a state funds matching grant program for resident undergraduate UH students with financial need and whose parents have not earned a baccalaureate or higher degree. (HB373 HD1)

Provides certain rights to sexual assault survivors with regards to the testing of sexual assault evidence collection kits. Requires the Attorney General to provide the Legislature with an initial report prior to the 2018 Regular Session on law enforcement's progress to implement the guidelines for mandatory testing requirements. Thereafter, AG to provide the Legislature with annual reports of statistical data pertaining to the testing. (HB668 HD1)

Prohibits enforced wage secrecy and retaliation or discrimination against employees who disclose, discuss, or inquire about their own or co-workers' wages.

Specifies that the legislative allowance for Oahu-based members' required travel within the State shall be equal to the federal Department of Defense flat rate per diem amount for temporary duty of the same duration in the applicable locality.

Gives property owners the ability to lease yard space or driveway space for temporary residential purposes, subject to certain conditions, including allowing lessees to camp in a temporary structure on a property owner's yard or a vehicle designed for camping on a property owner's driveway. (HB968 HD1)

Authorizes motor vehicle and boat towing options for self-service storage facilities after sixty days or more delinquency; provided that an occupant is provided notice. Requires owners to notify occupants via two of the following three methods: telephone number, electronic mail, or postal address. Allows owners to send notices by electronic mail, publish notices of sales in any commercially reasonable manner, conduct sales online, and charge late fees. Authorizes limits on the liability of the owner of self-service storage facilities to be based on the maximum monetary value of property that may be stored pursuant to the rental agreement.

Requires principal brokers to ensure associated real estate licensees are responsive to association-related requests from owners and Real Estate Commission-generated information is distributed to an association, board, or unit owner within ten days after receiving a request for information. (HB1524 HD1)