Sen. Lynn DeCoite

Establishes a goal for the State to achieve a ranking among the top 10 states in the nation for business competitiveness by 2045. Defines and requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to select a "ranking metric" and establishes interim goals. Requires DBEDT to establish a working group to develop and recommend policies that improve Hawaii's business competitiveness. Requires annual reports to Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Provides that applications for registration renewal required by section 514E-10, HRS, shall be deemed approved upon delivery. Provides that any amendment to a required time share plan registration shall be deemed approved by operation of law on the sixtieth day after the amendment is submitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, unless the Director issues a deficiency letter within that period. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to contract with a third-party consultant to develop a Climate Protection Plan for delivery to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2029. Establishes a Climate Protection Advisory Committee to assist the third-party consultant. Appropriates funds.

Imposes the manufacturing general excise tax rate on motion picture, digital media, and film productions and repeals the provision in the definition of "qualified production costs" that applied the term to mean costs incurred that are subject to the highest general excise tax rate. Exempts from the general excise tax amounts received by a motion picture project employer from a client company equal to amounts that are disbursed by the motion picture project employer for employee wages, salaries, payroll taxes, insurance premiums, and employment benefits and payments to loan-out companies. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

By July 1, 2027, requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop a Human Trafficking Awareness Training Program to educate and train workers in the transient accommodations sector. Requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to periodically provide the human trafficking awareness training to certain employees and contract workers and keep records of the training. By January 1, 2028, requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to post signage regarding human trafficking awareness. By October 1, 2027, requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to develop and implement a human trafficking prevention policy that includes procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking.

Authorizes homeschooled, high school-aged students to participate as unattached competitors in individual sports available to the public high school that the student would otherwise be required to attend.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study the impacts of the incremental minimum wage increases pursuant to Act 114, SLH 2022, on businesses and other employers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to implement and administer a three-year phased Water-Energy Resilience Competitive Grant Program in the County of Maui. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to procure a third-party consultant to develop a statewide blue economy and ocean technology and innovation strategy. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Maddy summarySB 2076 updates state law to protect individuals' publicity rights by adding "digital replica" to the legal definition of "likeness." This means people can prevent unauthorized digital copies of their appearance or voice from being created or distributed without permission. The bill amends existing publicity rights law to specifically address new technology that generates realistic digital representations. It will take effect on January 1, 2077.