Sen. Stanley Chang

Allows selection committees for procurement of professional services to weigh the selection criteria in the order of importance relevant to their agency and project. Beginning 12/31/2022, requires the state procurement office to develop a vendor past performance information system. Allows a bidder of a public works construction project to clarify and correct non-material or technical issues with subcontractor listings for up to twenty-four hours after the bid submission deadline. Requires bids for construction to be publicly opened no sooner than twenty-four hours after the bid submission deadline. Effective 7/1/2112. (HD2)

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds for a master planned development proposed by Pueo Development, LLC, on Hawaiian home lands. Effective 7/1/3021. (HD1)

Prohibits each county from adopting ordinances that restrict housing density on state lands that are within 0.5 miles of an elevated mass transit station.

Establishes general excise tax exemptions for food, medical services, and feminine hygiene products.

Amends the composition of the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors to require at least two members, rather than one, to be appointed by the Governor who shall have knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of Hawaiian cultural practices.

Requires the governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, and heads of principal departments to prominently display a Hawaiian language translation of the name of their respective office or department at least once on the main page of their official website and in the letterhead of their stationery. Requires all letterheads, documents, state highway signs, symbols, and emblems of the State and other political subdivisions that include Hawaiian names or words to include consistent Hawaiian names, spelling, and punctuation, including the use of kahako and ‘okina. Establishes references for consistent Hawaiian names and words, including consistent Hawaiian spelling and punctuation. Clarifies that the full text of bills and other official documents are not required to be written in Hawaiian and that inconsistently spelled or punctuated Hawaiian words and names shall not invalidate the documents or render them unenforceable and no cause of action shall arise accordingly. Effective 7/1/2060. (HD1)

Prohibits a public member of any board or commission under DCCA's purview from being engaged in the occupation that the board or commission regulates; being associated with a member of the occupation that the board or commission regulates that results in a material conflict of interest, an appearance of impropriety, or a reasonable suspicion that the public member does not represent the public interest; or having a financial interest in the regulated occupation. Effective 7/1/2112. (HD1)

Establishes a parolee higher education pilot program that allows parolees to take classes up to twelve semester credits at no charge to the parolee; provided that the classes are taken within five years after release from a correctional institution and provided further that the parolee does not break or violate the terms of parole and other laws. Sunsets June 1, 2025.

Requires a county to first seek revenue from alternative sources, including advertising, before imposing any new mass transit fare or fare increase. Requires prior approval of a new fare or fare increase from the department of transportation.

Requires the Department of Education to convene an advisory committee to make recommendations on the best practices for purposes of developing and implementing a plan to teach digital citizenship and media literacy in grades kindergarten through twelve in public schools, including charter schools and Hawaiian language immersion schools. Requires the Department of Education to develop the plan based on recommendations. Requires updated annual reports to the Legislature.