Sen. Angus McKelvey

Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Mobility Management, established pursuant to Act 214, SLH 2013, in consultation with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Executive Office on Aging and other stakeholder groups.

Maddy summarySB 712 expands eligibility for the state's Preschool Open Doors Program, allowing more preschool programs to participate. It removes a requirement that providers must be accredited, simplifying access for eligible preschools. This change directly affects preschool programs seeking to join or continue in the state-funded initiative. The bill aims to increase program availability by lowering administrative barriers for providers.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to design and construct photovoltaic panel coverings over playgrounds at all Department of Education schools.

Requires a landowner in possession of ten thousand or more acres in the State to be liable for damages and fines arising from runoff originating on the land and entering into state waters. Requires the Department of Health to prioritize enforcement of water pollution control regulations in rural areas where there are existing reports of runoff and other terms of water pollution. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Clarifies the level of environmental restoration owners and operators of underground storage tanks or tank systems that had a confirmed release must satisfy by requiring the removal of all jet fuel, including fuel additives and all compounds resulting from the degradation of jet fuel or jet fuel additives or the reaction of jet fuel or jet fuel additives with water or other chemicals. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that the detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release.

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.

Requires appointments and selections of heads of state divisions and agencies that require a board approval to be made through a publicly established process and timeline. Requires the approval of the process and timeline to appoint or select a new head of a state division or agency to be determined in an open meeting. Requires that votes to appoint or select heads of state divisions and agencies be conducted in an open meeting. Provides that any vote to appoint or select a head of a state division or agency cast in violation of the foregoing shall be invalid. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Establishes a two-year Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse Working Group within the Hawaii State Energy Office. Requires the working group to examine how to maximize the recycling and reuse of electric vehicle batteries and recommend electric vehicle battery management practices. Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)

Requires the design of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 95 creates new fines for drivers operating vehicles or mopeds without a valid current inspection certificate. This directly affects anyone driving a car, truck, or moped that requires a safety inspection. The key provision increases penalties for this specific violation, adding additional fines beyond existing requirements. The bill does not change inspection requirements or vehicle safety standards, only the financial penalty for non-compliance. It is a straightforward policy change targeting a known enforcement gap in vehicle safety compliance.