As the state legislative session is in full swing, scores of introduced bills that made it past first reading are making their way through committee hearings.
The following is a recap of select measures being heard today through Friday at the Capitol. All hearings will be live streamed and testimony may be submitted online. Visit capitol.hawaii.gov for complete versions of bills in the Legislature, committee hearing schedules or to submit testimony.
HB2762 would allow a 40-year gaming license on one parcel of OHA land on Oahu. It would also establish a Hawaii Gaming Commission and create a state gaming fund. A wagering tax of 45% of gross gaming revenue would be collected with funds being used for a compulsive gamblers program and for public security at the resort, training for Native Hawaiians for jobs that are available at the gaming resort, road or other improvements and administrative expenses of the commission.
HB2765 would allow online sports bettingand the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. The bill outlines a long list of licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers and specifies that sports wagering shall not be considered games of chance or gambling. The measure would only allow commercial sportsbook operators that hold licenses in at least three states to apply for online sports gambling privileges in Hawaii.
HB1563 allows counties to regulate the sales of cigarettes, tobacco products and electronic smoking devices. The Hawaii County Council has passed a measure that would prohibit Big Island retailers from selling or advertising any tobacco or nicotine product that tastes or smells like anything other than tobacco, however, that law cannot go into effect until the legislature permits the counties to impose their own rules. HB1778 preempts county regulations by making it state law prohibiting the sale of flavored tobacco products.
HB2572 aims to establish a teacher loan forgiveness program to encourage individuals to become teachers in hard to fill positions. The loan amount would not exceed $5,000 and would be forgiven after a seven year commitment is met with the Department of Education.
HB2778 would establish a surcharge on the state’s transient accommodation tax for vacation rental units outside of a zoned resort area. The proposed tax would be 5% on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived from furnishing transient accommodations, 5% on the fair market rental value of a resort time share vacation unit or $25 per day, whichever is greater.
HB1539 would increase the penalties for violations of certain traffic laws and establish new minimums for motor vehicle insurance. Persons convicted of repeated traffic violations, repeated reckless driving and repeated excessive speeding would be fined no less than $1,000 and no more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than one year, or both, if the person has two or more prior convictions for the same offense in the preceding five-year period.It also includes a provision of reckless driving of a vehicle or riding of an animal “Any person who operates any vehicle or rides any animal recklessly in disregard of the safety of persons or property shall be guilty of reckless driving of a vehicle or reckless riding of an animal, as appropriate, and shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. The measure would increase the minimum amount of liability insurance from $20,000 to $50,000 with a limit of $100,000 per accident.
HB2093 seeks to prohibit the operation of rental kayaks and paddle boards in state parks on Saturdays, Sundays and State holidays. It also requires all of the watercraft to be registered with the state with the registration number displayed on the rental.
HB2757 requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave program. Family leave would be covered for a 12 week period, and medical leave for 26 weeks. Payroll contributions would be made by both the employer and employee in an amount to be determined by the department, based on a percent of employee wages.
SB2017 would require persons convicted first-degree negligent homicide while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child to provide financial support to each surviving child of the victim up until the age of 18, or 19 if still in high school.
SB3016 would require all military bases and training areas in the state to display the Hawaiian Flag. Currently, the display of the state flag is inconsistent within military facilities.
SB2565 seeks to prohibit counties from banning leashed dogs in public parks, but owners must pick up after their pets. Anyone leaving their dog’s excrement on any public or private property would be subject to a fine no less than $100 and no more than $500 for each offense. Additionally the pet owner would need to provide community service or picking up litter on public property.
SB2345 requires the Department of Law Enforcement to coordinate crisis intervention training for state and county law enforcement agencies and crisis intervention officers. The Department of Health would certify crisis intervention officers. training them to recognize and communicate with a person suffering from a mental health or substance use disorder. The bill also authorizes crisis intervention officers to order persons determined to be imminently dangerous to themselves or others to be transported to a designated behavioral health crisis center.