Sen. Stanley Chang

Repeals the provision that makes claiming of the Important Agricultural Land Qualified Agricultural Cost Tax Credit contingent upon the tax credit for the aquarium and marine science research facility at Ko Olina Resort and the training and educational facilities at Makaha Resort. Expands the definition of "qualified agricultural costs." Repeals the provision that requires the Department of Agriculture to cease certifying credits after 2017. (SB783 HD1)

Clarifies that a mutual benefit society shall maintain a minimum net worth calculated based on gross annual premium revenues and gross annual health care expenditures. Requires gross annual premium revenues and gross annual health care expenditures to be reduced by the total amount ceded to reinsurers, provided that the reinsurance credit complies with credit for reinsurance requirements. (SB1077 HD1)

Clarifies the definition of "underserved" or "at-risk" children as it relates to the priority given to these children for the Preschool Open Doors program. Provides that priority among undeserved or at-risk children shall be given to children whose family income is at or below 350 per cent of the federal poverty level. (SB1189 HD1)

Appropriates funds for a post-secondary distance learning center in the Puna district within Hawaii Community College. Requires status report to the Legislature. (SB826 HD1)

Continues the nursing facility sustainability program for two years. Appropriates funds out of the nursing facility sustainability program special fund for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019. (SB285 HD1)

Clarifies that funds for bonuses required by statute or collective bargaining shall not be paid out of a charter school's facilities funding or per-pupil funds. Requires, beginning with fiscal year 2018-2019, that such bonuses be separate line items in the budget. Appropriates funds for teacher bonuses for hard-to-fill placement incentives and National Board certified teacher incentives for charter school teachers. (SB199 HD1)

Requires the department of education to set a standard for retention of student records, including in electronic format, of not less than one hundred years. Allows the department of education to partner with the Hawaii correctional industries program to establish a three-year student records modernization pilot project. (SB1100 HD1)

Appropriates moneys for start-up grants for one or more new pre-opening public charter schools. (SB197 HD1)

Amends the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit by providing additional tax credit options for payroll costs and 35 percent of qualified production costs for qualified productions employing local workers in a county with a population of 700,000 or less; permitting the option of offering the State an alternative marketing opportunity; adding new verification and reporting requirements; and extending the repeal of the tax credit until January 1, 2024. (SB1086 HD1)

Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife for invasive species technician positions to control invasive plants and animals statewide. (SB558 HD1)