THE SENATE

THE THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2022

 

COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair

Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair

 

AMENDED NOTICE OF DECISION MAKING

 

 

DATE:

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

TIME:

10:15 A.M.

PLACE:

Conference Room 211 & Videoconference

TIMESLOT:

WAM

 

PHOTO ID REQUIRED FOR ENTRANCE TO THE STATE CAPITOL

BUILDING HOURS: 7AM TO 5PM, MONDAY - FRIDAY

Face masks are recommended while visiting the State Capitol and are required in all Senate conference rooms.

Please refer to posted signage for guidance

 

These policies are subject to change and may be adjusted based on evolving COVID-19 guidelines.

Please check the Legislature’s website for updates www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

 

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:

 

HB 1436, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3485)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS.

Expands the authority of the counties to transfer development rights to address areas at risk of sea level rise, coastal erosion, storm surge, or flooding.  Effective 7/1/2022.  (SD1)

 

WTL/GVO, WAM

HB 1497, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3319)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Requires the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish a two-year pilot program to remove invasive species in and around Waiahole Stream on Oahu.  (SD1)

 

WTL/AEN, WAM

HB 1539, HD2, SD1

      (SSCR3352)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF JUDICIARY PERSONNEL.

Prohibits the posting of judges' and other court staff's personal information on the Internet with the intent to intimidate or threaten.  Establishes a Judicial Security Task Force to review and recommend additional measures to enhance the security of judges and judiciary personnel.  (SD1)

 

JDC, WAM

HB 1548, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3439)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the John A. Burns School of Medicine to expand medical school and residency training through the Department of Veterans Affairs graduate medical education programs.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

HTH/HRE, WAM

HB 1550, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3440)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO THE HAWAII MEDICAL EDUCATION SPECIAL FUND.

Establishes the Hawaii Medical Education Special Fund to be administered by the John A. Burns School of Medicine for graduate medical education and training programs.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

HTH/HRE, WAM

HB 1552, HD1

      (SSCR3236)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO THE STADIUM DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

Clarifies the composition of the stadium authority as added by Act 146, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (HD1)

 

EET, WAM

HB 1568, HD2, SD1

      (SSCR3473)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Changes the law requiring all state departments to ensure that a certain percentage of food purchased, excluding certain purchases made within the University of Hawaii System, consists of fresh, local agricultural products or local value-added, processed, agricultural, or food products to apply only to the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Public Safety, Department of Defense, and University of Hawaii System.  Requires each of those departments to prioritize contracts with vendors that use locally sourced food products.  Requires each of those departments and the University of Hawaii System to report to the Legislature on its progress toward meeting these benchmarks and clarifies the information to be reported.  Effective 7/1/2112.  (SD1)

 

AEN/GVO, WAM

HB 1579, HD2, SD1

      (SSCR3306)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Sets the manner by which the Oahu regional health care system should request operational funding during the transitional period of the Oahu regional health care system from the Hawaii health systems corporation to the department of health.  Extends the deadline by which the transfer shall take place.  Requires a report to the legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2025.  Clarifies the procedure for the working group to discuss matters concerning patient privacy and prospective bidders.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

HTH, WAM

HB 1682, HD1

      (SSCR3475)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST NEXT LEVEL SOLUTIONS GROUP INC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Next Level Solutions Group Inc., in developing a waste-to-energy facility.  Effective 7/1/2100.  (HD1)

 

AEN/EET, WAM

HB 1688, HD1

      (SSCR3428)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES.

Subjects U-drive motor vehicles to the same motor vehicle registration fees as other motor vehicles.  Authorizes the counties to use certain motor vehicle registration fees to mitigate and address the impacts of tourism-related traffic congestion.  Effective 1/1/2050.  (HD1)

 

TRS/GVO, WAM

HB 1711, HD1

      (SSCR3489)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to support three additional positions at the college of tropical agriculture and human resources Kauai research and extension station.  (HD1)

 

HRE/AEN, WAM

HB 1741, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3445)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO CHILDREN AND FAMILY OF INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS.

Requires the Department of Human Services to work with the Department of Public Safety, Family Reunification Working Group, and other entities serving children and families affected by parental incarceration to establish a pilot Visitation and Family Resource Center at Waiawa Correctional Facility on Oahu that has trauma-informed professionals on its staff who serve as liaisons and hookele for families affected by incarceration.  Requires the Department of Human Services to continue to lead a working group to address visitation and support needs of children and families of incarcerated individuals.  Requires the working group to submit a report to the Legislature before the 2023 Regular Session.  Appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services and Department of Public Safety for the establishment of the pilot Visitation and Family Resource Center at Waiawa Correctional Facility.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (SD1)

 

HMS/PSM, WAM

HB 1759, SD1

      (SSCR3452)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO LEGAL SERVICES FOR LOW-INCOME IMMIGRANTS.

Appropriates funds to the judiciary to contract with non-profit organizations to provide legal counsel and assistance to low-income immigrants.  (SD1)

 

JDC/HMS, WAM

HB 1762, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3470)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

Requires the Executive Director of the Office of Language Access to submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature on the compliance of state agencies and certain entities with state and federal language access laws, complaints of noncompliance if any, resolution of the complaints, and recommendations on how to enhance and promote language access.  Makes appropriations to fund the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Limited-English Proficiency Language Coordinator position in the Office of Language Access; the operating expenses of the Office of Language Access to collaborate with all state departments to ensure compliance with all state and federal language access laws; and the development of a comprehensive statewide plan to increase language access by the Office of Language Access.  Effective 7/1/2060.  (SD1)

 

HMS/GVO, WAM

HB 1798, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3366)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS FOR ASSISTING NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenues bonds to assist The Queen's Health Systems.  (SD1)

 

HTH, WAM

HB 1800, HD2, SD1

      (SSCR3476)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO CLIMATE MITIGATION.

Requires the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute to conduct a study to determine Hawaii's pathway to decarbonization and identify challenges, opportunities, and actions that will be needed to achieve those goals.  Appropriates funds out of the Energy Security Special Fund for the study.  Effective 7/1/2100.  (SD1)

 

AEN/EET, WAM

HB 1828, HD3, SD1

      (SSCR3305)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO THE TAXATION BOARD OF REVIEW.

Amends the membership, composition, compensation, and duties of the taxation board of review.  Amends quorum requirements.  Authorizes members of the taxation board of review to validate the board's actions with a concurrence of the majority of members who heard the appeal.  Specifies that board meetings are contested case hearings with certain notice requirements.  Clarifies the legal and evidentiary framework for the board to use when making decisions.  Appropriates funds to the department of taxation to establish staff positions.  (SD1)

 

JDC, WAM

HB 1829, HD2, SD1

      (SSCR3459)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO BONDS.

Requires any county or other issuer of private activity bonds to submit quarterly reports to the Department of Budget and Finance on the status or use of its portion of the allocation of the annual state ceiling.  Prohibits the authorization of special purpose revenue bonds requiring allocation of the annual ceiling, unless requested and approved by the Legislature, between 6/30/2022 and 12/31/2028.  Requires allocation of the annual ceiling to a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more between 6/30/2022 and 12/31/2028 to be used only for rental housing projects eligible for low-income housing tax credits.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

HOU/GVO, WAM

HB 1872, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3502)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to recognize that game mammals and game birds provide a food source and that striking an appropriate balance between the management of game mammal and game bird populations and sustainability of their natural habitats to reduce negative impacts to important watershed areas is a priority and that the State's unique relationship with the ocean requires careful consideration and management of land and ocean activities that prioritize the public trust responsibilities of the State.  Requires each department, office, or agency of the State to update its rules and policies to integrate the local hunting and fishing industries into any food security or sustainability strategies that department, office, or agency employs.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

WTL/AEN, WAM

HB 1893, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3467)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO THE OAHU REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

Requires the transfer of the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home to the Oahu Regional Health Care System and then to the Department of Health as part of the Oahu Regional Health Care System transfer pursuant to Act 212, SLH 2021.  Effective 7/1/2060.  (SD1)

 

HTH/PSM, WAM

HB 1932, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3286)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services' Child Welfare Services Branch to develop a modern case management software solution that is compatible with existing child welfare technology.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2060.  (SD1)

 

HMS, WAM

HB 1982, HD2, SD1

      (SSCR3328)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO TAXES.

Requires every person making payment to a loan-out company and claiming the film tax credit to withhold payments to loan-out companies.  Removes the requirement for productions to submit a verification review by a qualified certified public accountant using procedures prescribed by the Department of Business, Economic Development, And Tourism (DBEDT) when applying for the film tax credit.  Requires the report by DBEDT to include the dollar amount claimed, name of the company, and name of the qualified production of the taxpayer.   Extends the period during which excess income tax credits may be claimed to 12/31/2032. Requires qualified taxpayers to withhold a certain amount and remit that amount.  Amends the use of the tax administration special fund.  Authorizes the Department of Taxation to establish four full-time equivalent tax auditor positions.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

EET, WAM

HB 2061, HD1

      (SSCR3278)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO THE ANIMAL INDUSTRY SPECIAL FUND.

Adds new sources of revenues generated by the State Veterinary Laboratory and Animal Disease Control Branch as sources for the Animal Industry Special Fund.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (HD1)

 

AEN, WAM

HB 2062, HD1

      (SSCR3279)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS.

Establishes the agricultural emergency loan revolving fund, to be administered by the department of agriculture, to fund class D emergency loans.  Provides a separate source of funding for emergency agricultural loans.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (HD1)

 

AEN, WAM

HB 2098, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3422)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (10) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal year 2022-2023.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

LCA, WAM

[Measure added on 04/01/2022]

HB 2108, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3433)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO SPECIAL PURPOSE DIGITAL CURRENCY LICENSURE.

Establishes a program for the licensure, regulation, and oversight of digital currency companies.  (SD1)

 

CPN/EET, WAM

HB 2120, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3461)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Clarifies current practices, policies, and procedures of the state emergency management program and updates it with the prevailing emergency management best practices.  Highlights the intent of the State, Governor, and emergency management agencies to address environmental and climate impacts on emergency management.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

PSM/AEN, WAM

HB 2206, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3311)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa provided that the Board of Regents considers fiscal matters pertaining to coaching contracts and the termination of certain athletic personnel for cause.  Appropriates funds to University of Hawaii at Hilo for athletics.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

HRE, WAM

HB 2288, HD2, SD1

      (SSCR3376)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO LAND.

Transfers certain land to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

HRE/HWN, WAM

HB 2305, HD1

      (SSCR3496)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the college of tropical agriculture and human resources to study diseases affecting the production of ornamental red ginger on Oahu and the neighbor islands.  (HD1)

 

HRE/AEN, WAM

HB 2421, HD1, SD1

      (SSCR3409)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO WOMEN'S COURT.

Establishes a three-year women's court pilot program within the Judiciary's First Circuit.  Establishes temporary positions.  Requires a report.  Appropriates funds.  Repeals 6/30/2025.  (SD1)

 

JDC, WAM

HB 2466, HD2, SD1

      (SSCR3283)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO TARO.

Exempts the gross proceeds or income received from the sale of any product resulting from the cultivation and production of unprocessed taro from the general excise tax.  Effective 10/18/2050.  (SD1)

 

AEN, WAM

HB 2510, HD2, SD1

      (SSCR3447)

      Status & Testimony

RELATING TO INCOME.

Increases the State's minimum wage incrementally to $12.00 per hour beginning October 1, 2022; $15.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2024; and $18.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2026.  Reduces the tip credit to 35 cents per hour beginning October 1, 2022, and zero cents per hour beginning January 1, 2026.  (SD1)

 

LCA, WAM

 

 

 

 

Decision making meeting only, no oral testimony will be accepted.

 

Persons wishing to submit written testimony may do so up to 24 hours prior to the hearing. Click here to submit written testimony.

 

All testimony received by the Hawaii 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.

 

The cable TV broadcast and/or live stream of this meeting will include closed captioning. If you require other auxiliary aids or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., interpretive services (oral or written) or ASL interpreter), please contact the committee clerk at least 24 hours prior to the hearing so that arrangements can be made.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________

Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz

Chair