Bills up for third reading in crossover session

News Release from Senate Democratic Caucus, March 2, 2020

A group of bills will be up for third reading in tomorrow’s crossover session in the Hawai‘i State Senate tomorrow, Tuesday, March 3, 2020, starting at 9:30 a.m.

With the Senate’s continuing support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the following bills related to climate change will also be up for third reading:

SB996 SD2 relating to zero-emission vehicles. It requires rental motor vehicle lessors to incorporate zero-emission vehicles into the lessors’ fleets, and establishes a Hawaii zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure special fund and grant program to promote development of zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. Effective 7/1/2050.

SB2077 SD2 relating to the environment. It establishes a tree planting program in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2033.

SB2683 SD2 requires the commission to further address and make recommendation regarding sea level rise. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050.

SB2381 SD2 relating to shoreline setbacks. It establishes greater shoreline setback requirements. Effective 12/31/2033.

SB2430 SD1 relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation. It establishes and appropriates funds for a Climate Change and Human Health Adaptation Coordinator within the Department of Health. Effective 7/1/2050.

SB2531 SD2 relating to forestry. It appropriates funds for the forest stewardship program of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to increase plant stocks, invest in public outreach, and renovate the equipment and facilities of the state tree nursery.

SB2548 SD2 relating to marine debris. It appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create and implement a marine debris collection pilot program. It appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for research and development of specialized equipment for the effective and efficient removal of plastic marine debris from beaches and shorelines. Effective 7/1/2050.

SB2696 SD2 relating to green fees. It requires the Office of Planning to prepare a feasibility and implementation plan on assessing tourism green fees. Makes an appropriation. Effective 12/31/2033.

SB3084 SD2 relating to solid waste management. It establishes a solid waste management goal of reducing the State’s solid waste stream prior to disposal by 70% by 2030. Effective 7/1/2050.

SB3099 SD2 relating to climate change. It implements the recommendations of the Hawaii Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report issued by the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Makes appropriations. Effective 7/1/2050.

SB3100 SD2 relating to sustainable development goals. It codifies sustainable development goals based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and indicators. Effective 7/1/2050.

SB3150 SD2 relating to taxation. It amends the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to address carbon emissions, and increases the tax rate to effectively set a price of an unspecified amount per metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions in 2021. It incrementally increases the tax rate over time so that, in 2030, the tax rate shall be equivalent to a carbon price of an unspecified amount per metric ton of carbon emissions. It establishes a refundable tax credit for lower-income individuals. Effective 7/1/2050. Tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2021.

SB3171 SD2 relating to the green environment. It adds objectives, policies, and implementation guidelines for planning for the lei of green to the Hawaii State Planning Act. It requires a report to the Legislature and appropriates funds for costs associated with researching, compiling, and submitting the report. Effective 7/1/2050.

Other highlighted bills include:

SB2051 relating to littering. It increases the maximum civil penalty for littering from $500 to $1,000, and increases the maximum fine for the offense of criminal littering from $1,000 to $5,000.

SB2120 relating to gift certificates. It clarifies that certain county-issued cards and certificates are not subject to the State’s unfair and deceptive practices regulations related to gift certificates.

SB2181 relating to sexual assault. It amends the offenses of sexual assault in the first and third degree, when perpetuated against someone who is mentally defective, to remove the standard of proof regarding knowledge that the other person was mentally defective, as that term is defined in section 707-700, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SB2182 relating to abuse of a family or household member. It amends the penal code to add abuse of a family or household member to felonies that qualify for repeat offender sentencing.

SB2293 SD1 relating to education. It requires the Auditor to conduct an audit to determine whether the Department of Education is meeting requirements under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act as it pertains to individuals with the type of disability covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Act.

SB2315 relating to sexual assault evidence collection kits. It extends the deadline for each county police department to adopt and utilize an electronic tracking system for sexual assault evidence collection kits.

SB2582 SD1 relating to health. It authorizes advanced practice registered nurses, in addition to physicians, to practice medical aid in dying in accordance with their scope of practice and prescribing authority. It authorizes psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, in addition to psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers, to provide counseling to a qualified patient. It reduces the mandatory waiting period between oral requests from 20 days to 15 days, and waives the mandatory waiting period for those terminally ill individuals not expected to survive the mandatory waiting period.

SB2893 SD1 relating to chronically homeless. It amends the definition of “chronically homeless” to provide clarity and improve the delivery and development of homeless services.

SB2955 relating to coffee labeling. It expands the coffee labeling and advertising requirements to include ready-to-drink coffee beverages and inner wrapping or packaging labels.

SB3070 relating to campaign finance. It increases the maximum amount of public funds available to certain state candidates in each election. It increases the amount of voluntary state income tax check-off contributions that may be designated for the Hawaii election campaign fund beginning on 1/1/2021.

SB3151 relating to equal access to public conveniences. It requires that restrooms and toilet facilities of public amusement facilities constructed, renovated, retrofitted, or installed after 1/1/2021 have 2 female-use toilets for each male-use toilet or urinal.

Remaining bills up for third reading:

SB2034 relating to liquor law violations.

SB2150 relating to disorderly conduct.

SB2156 relating to theft in the second degree.

SB2185 relating to violation of privacy.

SB2268 relating to divorce.

SB2306 relating to proof of domestic or sexual violence victim status.

SB2369 SD1 relating to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.

SB2561 relating to consumer protection.

SB2670 SD1 relating to real property transactions.

SB2750 relating to bottled water.

SB2768 relating to sports medicine.

SB2724 relating to lead-based paint.

SB2752 relating to the residential landlord-tenant act.

SB2775 relating to the fuel tank advisory committee.

SB2817 SD1 relating to waste.

SB2872 relating to the contractors recovery fund.

SB2875 relating to mixed martial arts.

SB2881 relating to the Peer Review Oversight Committee.

SB2883 relating to cemetery authority exemption.

SB2975 SD1 relating to intoxicating liquor.

SB3008 SD1 relating to measurement standards.