Sen. Ron Kouchi

Provides that expenditures by candidate committees may be made to reimburse other individuals for expenditures advanced by those individuals, in addition to those advanced by the candidate. Deletes candidate reimbursements from the category of expenditures that noncandidate committees must itemize in their reports, since noncandidate committees are not allowed to receive or make loans under existing law. (CD1)

Clarifies conditions that must be met by applicants to receive funds under the forest stewardship program administered by the board of land and natural resources. (CD1)

Authorizes boards to use interactive conference technology to remotely conduct meetings under the State's open meetings law. Amends the requirements for public notices of board meetings and for in-person board meetings held by interactive conference technology. Requires the Office of Information Practices to assess the implementation of meetings held using interactive conference technology and submit a report of its findings to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2022. (CD1)

Clarifies that increased fines may apply if a candidate committee or noncandidate committee fails to timely file the preliminary primary or preliminary general report due ten calendar days before a primary or general election. (CD1)

Provides that excess contributions by nonresident contributors shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund if not returned to the contributor within thirty days of the end of the election period. Allows the candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee to choose which excess contributions by nonresident contributors to return. (CD1)

Amends or repeals various provisions of the Hawaii Revised Statutes or the Session Laws of Hawaii for the purposes of correcting errors and references, clarifying language, or deleting obsolete or unnecessary provisions. (SD1)

Authorizes the board of land and natural resources to approve rental reductions or waivers for leases on public lands that require substantial demolition or infrastructure improvement costs for the lessee to utilize the premises. Sunsets 6/30/2026. (HD2)

Adds the University of Hawaii to the list of agencies that are authorized to conduct criminal history record checks on current or prospective employees, whose positions or duties are related to the security of campus facilities and persons. (SD1)

Authorizes the department of health to set patient registration fees by administrative rulemaking. Requires the office of medical cannabis control and regulation to convene a task force on the effect of legalization of cannabis on qualifying medical cannabis patients and report to the legislature. (CD1)

Expands the scope of the conference center revolving fund for the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Authorizes the chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo to expend funds from the revolving fund. Exempts the expenditure of moneys from the fund from bidding requirements under the Hawaii public procurement code. Requires the chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo to submit annual reports of the revolving fund to the legislature. (CD1)