Sen. Stanley Chang

Shortens the period within which certain judicial proceedings involving environmental assessments and environmental impact statements for actions that propose the use of land for, or construction of, affordable housing or clean energy projects must be initiated. Requires judicial proceedings involving actions that propose the use of land for, or construction of, affordable housing or clean energy projects to be filed directly with the Supreme Court and prohibits the Supreme Court from awarding attorneys' fees in these judicial proceedings.

Defines "business day" as used in Part I of Chapter 92, HRS, governing public meetings. Clarifies that board packets, if created, shall be made available for public inspection in the board's office during regular business hours, no later than three full business days before the public meeting. Defines "regular business hours".

Requires state agencies to provide an affected person with written notice containing certain information before taking final administrative actions that materially and adversely affect the person's protected liberty or property interest. Prohibits a state agency from implementing a final adverse action until the completion of any timely requested contested case proceeding unless the state agency makes certain written findings. Requires state agencies to take certain steps to ensure impartial decision-making. Requires each state agency to submit an annual report to the Legislature and make the report available on the agency's website. Requires a claim against the State for a violation of a procedural due process requirement to be satisfied from the operating budget of the state agency whose action or omission gave rise to the violation and not from the general fund. Clarifies that reporting of due process rights violations is protected under the State's Whistleblowers' Protection Act.

Requires the Director of Human Resources Development, in consultation with the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission, State Energy Office, and Department of Accounting and General Services to develop a comprehensive Commuting Choice Benefit Program regardless of mode of transportation for all state employees in the executive branch and to recommend a similar program for state employees of the other branches. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Clarifies that for campaign committee reports, the date a candidate receives a check from a third-party website or the date the deposit is made by the third party is the reporting date for contributions aggregating more than $100 in an election period. Clarifies that for contributions by lobbyists prohibited during a legislative session, the date of a violation is the date of the acceptance or the date where the agreement of acceptance of a contribution occurred and not the date of deposit.

Exempts a dormant captive insurance company that has been issued a certificate of dormancy from certain taxes and the requirement that its governing body hold at least one meeting each year in the State. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)

Standardizes annual independent financial audits for public charter schools. Authorizes sanctions for noncompliance with independent financial audits. Requires the Board of Education, the Public Charter School Authorizer, and Auditor to review the annual independent financial audits. Allows the Auditor to conduct its own financial audit if a public charter school is a high risk for insolvency. Requires for 2026-2027, the Auditor to conduct its own one-time financial audit of each charter school in addition to the annual independent financial audits and requires a report to the Legislature. Requires State Public Charter School Commission to take action based on Auditor's recommendations in the one-time financial audits. Appropriates moneys.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free bus passes for students whose household qualifies the student for free lunch or reduced price lunch under the free and reduced price lunch program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to send notices regarding unfiled, substantially defective, and substantially deficient reports by certified mail. Requires the Commission to specify in substantial defect and deficient report notices the nature of any substantial defect or deficiency. Allows recipients of substantial defect and deficient report notices to correct their reports up to 10 business days after the receipt of the notices. Defines the terms "substantially defective" and "substantially deficient".

Requires the Department of Education to establish a School Bus Driver Recruitment Grant Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Recruitment Special Fund. Establishes a Repayment Signing Bonus Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Outreach and Pathway Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.