Sen. Stanley Chang

Requires lobbyists and their clients to make monthly disclosures during any month the legislature is in session, and a report for June 1 through December 31. Adds required disclosures regarding lobbying events, contractual relationships with legislators, and campaign contributions. Requires the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators to file their financial disclosures by January 31 after the beginning of the regular legislative session. Requires certain state employees to disclose contractual relationships with lobbyists and their clients. Amends the definition of "administrative action" to include granting or denying an application for a business- or development-related permit, license, or approval and the procurement of goods and services through contracts covered by the procurement code. Requires the state ethics commission to accept electronically filed documents.

Beginning with the primary election in 2018, requires the office of elections to implement election by mail in a county with a population of fewer than 100,000 and beginning with the 2020 primary election, implement election by mail in each of the other counties for all elections. Establishes an election by mail system, including requirements for ballots, replacement ballots, deficient return of ballots, electronic transmission of replacement ballots under certain circumstances, ballot counting, voter service centers, places of deposit, and election expenses and responsibilities. Establishes procedures for postponed elections. Makes conforming amendments to provide for an election by mail system. Allows voters in an election by mail system to request that their ballots be temporarily forwarded to another address in or outside of the State for a single election or a primary or special primary election and the election immediately following it. Appropriates funds for the implementation and administration of the elections by mail program. Requires the office of elections to submit annual reports to the legislature from 2018 to 2024 regarding implementing the elections by mail program.

Removes redundant investigating and reporting requirements of the Department of Human Services and the family courts in cases where temporary restraining orders are sought for alleged domestic abuse involving a family or household member who is a minor or incapacitated person.

Establishes a family leave insurance program, which requires employees to make contributions into a trust fund that can be used to provide employees with family leave insurance benefits to care for a designated person. Expands the number of weeks of family leave from four to twelve weeks under the family leave law. Appropriates funds to the department of labor and industrial relations to implement the family leave insurance program. Requires a study to be performed by the department of labor and industrial relations and an actuarial study to be performed by the department of budget and finance.

Allows the works of art special fund to be used for arts programs in public schools and the University of Hawaii system.

Prohibits smoking in a motor vehicle in which a person under the age of eighteen is present. Requires the department of health to report on the enforceability of this Act and coordination of related data collection activities of the respective law enforcement agencies. (SD1)

Creates the order of Hawaii medal to be awarded by the governor each year to those individuals who have brought high honor to the State of Hawaii through their meritorious service or outstanding achievements which have significantly impacted the scientific, technical, medical, business, educational, or cultural fields in Hawaii, or other societal values of our State. Specifies that the design of the order of Hawaii medal and the criteria for awarding the medal shall be in the discretion of the governor, who may designate up to five individuals per year to receive the medal.

Appropriates funds to support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program on Oahu by establishing one full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) permanent program specialist IV position for the City and County of Honolulu and for contracted services through the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman in the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui. (SB530 HD1)

Establishes a Kapolei jobs initiative pilot program that offers incentives to increase the number of businesses willing to establish themselves or open a new location in the Kapolei region. Establishes a tax credit, until 12/31/2024, as part of the Kapolei jobs initiative pilot program.

Prohibits tethers and certain other types of restraints that are known to endanger dogs or prevent dogs from receiving necessary sustenance. Specifies penalties.