KA ‘AHA KENEKOA
THE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION OF 2025
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Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair |
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Senator Sharon Y. Moriwaki, Vice Chair |
AMENDED NOTICE OF DECISION MAKING
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DATE: |
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 |
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TIME: |
10:01 AM |
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PLACE: |
Conference Room 211 & Videoconference State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street |
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PHOTO ID REQUIRED FOR ENTRANCE TO THE STATE CAPITOL
BUILDING HOURS: 7AM TO 5PM, MONDAY - FRIDAY
A live stream of all Senate Standing Committee meetings will be available on the Senate YouTube Channel.
A M E N D E D A G E N D A
The following measure(s) were previously heard in their respective subject matter committees:
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RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES. Appropriates moneys to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the establishment of full-time equivalent permanent Makai Watch Coordinator positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
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WTL, WAM |
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RELATING TO LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. Modifies certain benchmark goals and timeline for the Department of Education to provide locally-sourced agricultural and food products. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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EDU, WAM |
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RELATING TO SURFING. Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to support the establishment of surfing as an interscholastic sport. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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EDU, WAM |
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RELATING TO THE ADEQUATE RESERVE FUND. Amends the definition of "adequate reserve fund" by increasing the multiplier used to calculate its amount from the existing factor of one, to one and one-quarter for calendar year 2026 and one and one-half for calendar year 2027 and thereafter. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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LBT, WAM |
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RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS. Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to establish a permanent Return-to-Home Program to return homeless individuals in the State to families and relatives in their home states. Requires the Office to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
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HHS, WAM |
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RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES. Establishes a working group within the Hawaii State Energy Office to examine how to maximize the recycling and reuse of electric vehicle batteries and recommend electric vehicle battery management practices. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
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EIG/AEN, WAM |
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RELATING TO THE INDIVIDUAL HOUSING ACCOUNT PROGRAM. For taxable years, beginning 1/1/2026, increases the maximum annual deduction for contributions to, and maximum account levels for, individual housing accounts. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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HOU, WAM |
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RELATING TO JURY DUTY. Increases the amount each juror or prospective juror is paid for each day of actual attendance at court. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)
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JDC, WAM |
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RELATING TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES. Establishes one additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit. (SD1)
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JDC, WAM |
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RELATING TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES. Establishes one additional district court judgeship in the Third Circuit. (SD1)
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JDC, WAM |
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RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII. Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii system for various nursing programs. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)
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HRE, WAM |
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RELATING TO FALL PREVENTION. Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to fund the current Fall Prevention Campaign. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
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HHS, WAM |
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RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM. Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)
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HRE/EDU, WAM
[Measure added on 3-31-25] |
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RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII'S SPACE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING INITIATIVE. Appropriates funds for salaries and fringe benefits of positions for the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy's Space Science and Engineering Initiative Workforce Development Program, Maunakea Scholars Program, and Internship Program. Appropriates funds for office equipment and supplies, operational costs, and stipends for high school and college students. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)
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HRE, WAM
[Measure added on 3-31-25] |
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RELATING TO HOMELESS YOUTH. Makes the Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Program permanent within the Office of Youth Services. Requires the program to collaborate with all state and county departments that offer services for youth and young adults to coordinate the identification of youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness and placement of these youth at a shelter for homeless youth or young adults. Authorizes the Office of Youth Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide shelters for homeless youth or young adults. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. (SD1)
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HHS, WAM |
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RELATING TO EDUCATION. Establishes braille literacy as a policy of the State. Requires literacy assessments for eligible low vision and blind students to include braille instruction and the use of braille. Authorizes the Department of Education to adopt administrative rules. Establishes the Braille Literacy Resource Center. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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EDU, WAM |
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RELATING TO SEA SALT PRODUCTS. Appropriates funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for providing education and support to local businesses regarding the United States Food and Drug Administration's guidance on colored sea salt. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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EDT, WAM |
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RELATING TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ON AGING. Establishes a temporary Medi-Medi Project within the Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program to be administered by the Executive Office on Aging to assist older adults, Medicare beneficiaries, individuals with disabilities, and other underserved populations who may qualify for various low-income subsidy programs to gain access to their benefits. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
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HHS, WAM |
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RELATING TO POSITIONS AT THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE. Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine for faculty positions in the fields of cardiovascular biology, tropical medicine, and quantitative health biostatistics, and an environmental health and safety officer staff position. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
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HRE, WAM |
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RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Appropriates funds to establish grant specialist positions to assist farmers and ranchers in meeting the requirements to receive grants offered by the United States Department of Agriculture, State, counties, or private entities. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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AEN, WAM |
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RELATING TO INTEGRATED LAND USE. Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to conduct an integrated land use study for the use of lands within the agricultural districts and submit interim and final reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
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WTL/AEN, WAM |
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RELATING TO AGRICULTURE. Establishes within the Department of Agriculture a working group to review and make recommendations on amending or repealing unnecessary or obsolete laws pertaining to agriculture. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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AEN, WAM |
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RELATING TO HEALTH. Makes an appropriation for the operation of an additional ambulance for the island of Hawaii to be based in Makalei. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
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HHS, WAM
[Measure added on 3-31-25] |
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RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION SERVICES. Authorizes the use of motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for school bus services if certain conditions are met. Requires State to upgrade to zero emission school buses by 2045. Requires the state agencies to prioritize zero emission buses in the procurement policy for purchasing or leasing motor vehicles. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
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TCA, WAM |
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RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSIONS. Increases the maximum grant amount for the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
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HHS/AEN, WAM |
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RELATING TO ALCOHOL. Defines "low alcohol by volume spirits beverage". Establishes a tax on low alcohol by volume spirits beverages at a rate of $0.93 per wine gallon. Sunsets 12/31/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
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CPN, WAM |
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RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS. Expands existing crisis intervention programs by requiring, and appropriating funds for, the Department of Health to establish a Homeless Triage and Treatment Center Program within its Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division to serve homeless individuals and individuals at risk of homelessness with substance abuse issues or mental illness. Amends the Crisis Intervention and Diversion Services Program to require the program to redirect certain homeless persons to the appropriate health care system and services; authorize the program to include intensive mobile outreach services; and require appropriations for the program to be used only for services contracted directly between the Department of Health and the service provider. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
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HHS, WAM |
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RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. Increases the maximum value of capital advancement contracts that may be executed by the Department of Transportation without legislative approval. Increases the minimum value of capital advancement contracts requirement for the Department of Transportation to obtain legislative approval through concurrent resolution. Increases the total aggregate value of capital advancement contracts that the Department of Transportation may enter into in a fiscal year. Establishes certain reporting requirements related to capital advancement contracts. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
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TCA, WAM |
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RELATING TO EDUCATION. Establishes a two-year Librarian Pilot Program to serve one school complex on Oahu and one school complex on an island other than Oahu. Appropriates funds. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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EDU, WAM |
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RELATING TO WASTE OR DISPOSAL FACILITIES. Prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of any waste or disposal facility on land that is above a significant aquifer as determined by the Department of Health. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
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HHS/WTL, WAM |
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RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS. Updates the Agricultural Loan Program by lowering interest rates, increasing and standardizing loan limits, and reducing the number of credit denials. Includes food hubs as an eligible entity for Class E loans. Authorizes the Agricultural Loan Program to issue lines of credit. Creates a new class of loans to encourage large scale agriculture of import replacement crops grown for the farm to state program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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AEN, WAM |
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RELATING TO TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE. Directs the Office of Wellness and Resilience to collaborate with the Department of Human Services to, either directly or by contract, design, administer, and implement a program for trauma-informed organizational assessments and a training curriculum for the Department of Human Services Child Welfare Services Branch staff. Appropriates funds. Takes effect 12/31/2050. (SD1)
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HHS, WAM |
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RELATING TO RESTORATION OF BEACH LANDS. Amends the definition of "beach restoration" to include activities undertaken to maintain and improve eroded beaches and degraded dune systems through the management of sand and native vegetation, placement of sand, and activities undertaken to remove abandoned remnant materials that pose a risk to public and ecosystem health. Effective 7/1/2040. (SD1)
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WTL, WAM |
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RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS. Authorizes supplemental allotments and transfers of unrequired balances for capital improvement program projects and establishes a protocol fund with a cap of $7,000 for each state principal department. Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls in the fourth quarter due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs. Authorizes the Governor to use program savings and available funds for the purpose of temporarily maintaining critical federally funded state programs and positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
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GVO, WAM |
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RELATING TO SPECIAL FACILITY REVENUE BONDS. Increases the total principal amount of special facility revenue bonds that may be issued by the Department of Transportation for harbor improvements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
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TCA, WAM |
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RELATING TO HIGHWAY REVENUE BONDS. Restores the revenue bond authorization for the Department of Transportation to issue Highway Revenue Bonds for highway capital improvement projects authorized in Act 164, SLH 2023, as amended by Act 230, SLH 2024. Takes effect 1/1/3000. (SD1)
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TCA, WAM |
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MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. Makes an emergency appropriation out of the State Highway Fund to provide funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the Department of Transportation to enforce the Motor Carrier Law. (SD1)
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TCA, WAM |
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RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII REVENUE BONDS. Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing qualifying priority capital improvement projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
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HRE, WAM |
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RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE. Requires the University of Hawaii to grant the resident tuition fee for enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus to individuals who have graduated from a Hawaii high school and are enrolling in an undergraduate degree program, under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
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HRE, WAM |
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RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RELIEF FUNDING. Allows the Board of Regents to use funds in the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund for student aid in direct response to an emergency or disaster, as declared by the Governor. Requires a report. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
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HRE, WAM |
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RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES. Appropriates funds to support the efforts of the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources in the removal of the majano anemone from Kaneohe Bay. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
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WTL/AEN, WAM |
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RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROCUREMENT. Exempts Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products less than a certain amount from the electronic procurement system requirement. Requires at least three written quotes for Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products between certain amounts. Requires at least two written quotes for Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products between certain amounts for certain schools in rural communities. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Takes effect 71/2050. (SD1)
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EDU, WAM |
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RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING. Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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AEN/HOU, WAM |
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RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING. Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes DBEDT to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering. Effective 07/01/3000. (SD1)
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EDT/CPN, WAM |
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RELATING TO EDUCATION. Requires the University of Hawaii System to collect, analyze, and publicly report certain graduate outcome data. Requires and appropriates funds for the development and maintenance of a graduate outcomes dashboard. Appropriates funds for positions within the University of Hawaii's Office of the Vice President of Academic Strategy. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)
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HRE, WAM |
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RELATING TO TAXATION. Amends the definition of draft beer used in liquor tax laws to mean beer in an individual container of five gallons or more. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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CPN, WAM |
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RELATING TO APPROPRIATIONS. Requires the Director of Finance to report to the Legislature after approving the transfer of funds appropriated for positions to operating expenses, and vice versa. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
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GVO, WAM |
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RELATING TO AVIAN INFLUENZA. Appropriates funds to the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture to prevent, monitor, and respond to avian influenza in Hawaii. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
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HHS/AEN, WAM |
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RELATING TO SOCIAL SERVICES. Increase the domiciliary care rates for certain providers and clarifies that the needs allowance and the domiciliary care rates are included in the State supplemental payment ceiling amounts. (SD1)
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HHS, WAM |
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RELATING TO SPORTS FACILITIES. Requires conditions placed on appropriations to the Stadium Development Special Fund to be met before expenditure. Restricts private donations to the Stadium Authority to use on stadium infrastructure and stadium development costs. Appropriates funds out of the Stadium Development Special Fund, subject to the completion of specific project readiness conditions. Requires certain moneys expended to be from private sources. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
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EDT/HRE, WAM |
Decision making meeting only, no oral testimony will be accepted.
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All testimony received by the Hawai‘i Senate is posted on the Hawai‘i Legislature's website, which is accessible to the public. Please do not include private information that you do not want disclosed to the public.
For special assistance: The cable TV broadcast and/or live stream of this meeting will include closed captioning. If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, please call the committee clerk at the telephone number listed below or email [email protected]. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled.
FOR AMENDED NOTICES: Measures that have been deleted are stricken through and measures that have been added are underscored. If a measure is both underscored and stricken through, that measure has been deleted from the agenda.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT (808) 586-6800.
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_____________________________________ Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz Chair |
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