Sen. Stanley Chang

Defines serious crime as murder or attempted murder in the first degree or class A felony, or a call B or C felony involving violence of threat of violence. Allows the court to determine if bail may be denied where the charge is for a serious crime. Requires the judicial council to appoint a committee to review and recommend changes to the Hawaii penal code. Takes effect 7/1/25. (SD1)

Includes the use of alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation, and natural organic reduction as methods for the disposal of human remains. Amends the procedures for the resolution of disputes regarding the right of disposition, the right to rely and act upon written instructions in a funeral service agreement or similar document, and provisions for the disposition of a decedent's remains and recovery of reasonable expenses to include hydrolysis facilities and natural organic reduction facilities. (SD1)

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to be appropriated into and out of the rental housing revolving fund for construction of phase I of a senior affordable housing project on Hawaii public housing authority property on School street, Oahu. (SD1)

Increases the advance disposal fee collected on glass containers. Removes the exemption for glass deposit beverage containers. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires the department of health to periodically update its cocomposting rules. Requires department of health to establish a multi-tiered registration and permitting system for composting facilities. Allows composting and co-composting in agricultural districts. (SD1)

Authorizes government agencies to wheel electricity that is produced by their own facilities from renewable energy sources to another agency's facilities, subject to disallowance by the public utilities commission. (SD1)

Creates a cultivation facility license, which allows cultivators to grow cannabis for sale to licensed dispensaries. Establishes requirements for license application and qualifications for license holders. Establishes requirements for cultivation facility operations, including plant tracking and testing. Clarifies that cultivation facilities may sell product only to licensed dispensaries. Authorizes the Department of Health to determine the number of cultivation licenses to be issued. Allows one cultivation license to be issued per tax map key number. Limits the number of cannabis plants grown at each cultivation facility to one thousand. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Allows the counties to adopt rules for the construction of fourplex dwelling units on lots where single-family dwelling units are permitted in residential areas and in a city with a population of 25,000 or more or withing an urban area. (SD1)

Establishes a special intergovernmental task force to eradicate illegal gambling and drug activities and to establish community safe zones across the State. Requires a report to the legislature. (SD1)

Preserves the continuity of the Information Technology Steering Committee (ITSC) by establishing four-year terms for its members, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Redefines the composition of the committee by allowing the Superintendent of Education and the President of the University of Hawaii to each appoint one member and decreasing the number of members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Requires the Chief Information Officer to present the Office of Enterprise Technology Services annual report to ITSC prior to submitting it to the Legislature before the convening of each Regular Session. (SD1)