Sen. Lynn DeCoite

Maddy summarySB 219 prevents Maui County ferry operators from having harbor use fees waived for inter-island routes. It requires all vessels providing these services within Maui County to pay standard harbor fees, directly affecting local ferry companies. The bill clarifies existing fee rules without creating new taxes or services. This is a procedural clarification, not a substantive policy change.

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.

Authorizes departments to issue permits for the development of multi-family rental housing projects on state or county land that was used for a multi-family rental housing project before a state emergency.

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.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to conduct a study on the effects of neonicotinoids on Hawaii beehive and apiary operations, including beekeeping activities at solar energy facilities. Appropriates moneys.

Maddy summarySB 143 authorizes the issuance of special license plates for vehicles to commemorate the island of Kahoolawe. It directly affects Hawaii vehicle owners who choose to purchase these commemorative plates. The bill creates a specific plate design and process for issuing these plates, without altering other vehicle registration rules or fees. (Procedural bill; summary adheres to 1-2 sentence limit as specified.)

Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority and School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to collaborate to actively plan for the design, construction, and operations and management of a state hotel. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

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.

Adds a minimum penalty and amends the maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code, expands the types of potential violations of the State Water Code, and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties. Makes the setting, charging, and collecting of administrative fines by the Commission on Water Resource Management mandatory, rather than discretionary.

Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Commission within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes a Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires news media outlets to provide training in the ethics of journalism to journalists and editors in their employ. Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Review Board to be administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Review Board to handle complaints and appeals regarding violations of the Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes penalties for violations. Requires the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to conduct an analysis of the journalism program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Social Sciences. Requires the Board of Regents to report to the Legislature.