This message from the Governor notifies state officials about the transfer of $28.8 million in general funds to various state agencies and programs. The money is being allocated to support specific initiatives, including cancer center operations, Title IX compliance for women's athletics, youth conservation jobs, economic development programs, animal quarantine station design, and correctional facility planning. The document serves as an official record of these financial movements required by state law, detailing exactly how much each department receives and the purpose of the funding.
This document is a letter from the Governor correcting the official term of appointment for Matthias Kusch, who serves as the representative for House District 1. It clarifies that Kusch's appointment covers only the remainder of the current legislative term ending on November 5, 2024, rather than a new term. The letter explains that because the late Representative Nakashima was posthumously declared elected for a new term, a separate appointment process must occur after the general election to fill the seat for the next term. This guidance is intended to help the Democratic Party and the district council proceed with selecting a new representative without delay.
This bill informs the House that Governor Josh Green has appointed Matthias Kusch to represent the 1st House District, filling the vacancy left by the passing of Representative Mark M. Nakashima. The appointment allows Kusch to serve out the remainder of the current legislative term and begin a full two-year term starting in January 2025. This action is based on state law permitting the governor to appoint a replacement when a candidate filing deadline has passed and no election can be held.
This bill serves as a formal notification to the Senate that Governor Josh Green has appointed Croccifixio Makani Crabbe to fill the vacant seat in the 22nd Senatorial District. The appointment, effective immediately, is made to replace Senator Maile Shimabukuro who resigned from her position. Under this provision, Crabbe will serve in the Senate until a special election can be held to fill the remaining term.
This bill serves as a formal declaration by the Hawaii Legislature to inform the public and government officials that Governor Josh Green signed HB1801 into law on July 10, 2024. The legislation, titled Act 253, relates to state bonds and establishes specific debt limits for the state based on a percentage of general fund revenues from previous fiscal years. It explicitly states that the total amount of principal and interest on all outstanding and new general obligation bonds must not exceed these calculated limits to comply with the state constitution. Additionally, the bill provides a detailed table listing the actual debt limits for fiscal years 2020 through 2023 and estimated limits for years 2024 through 2026.
This bill directs the State of Hawaii to use $435 million in excess general fund revenues for fiscal year 2024-2025, as required by the state constitution. The funds are split between two specific accounts: $300 million is deposited into the emergency and budget reserve fund to serve as a financial safety net, while $135 million is placed into the pension accumulation fund to help cover future employee benefit liabilities. This action satisfies the constitutional mandate to dispose of surplus tax money when certain economic conditions are met. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and includes a formal declaration that these expenditures exceed the state's annual spending limit by approximately $323 million.
This bill establishes a Digital Equity Grant Program to provide funding for projects aimed at improving internet access and digital skills for disadvantaged groups in Hawaii, including low-income families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. The legislation creates a new chapter in state law to define covered populations and outline the grant program's goals of removing obstacles to digital equity. However, the Governor has returned the bill without approval, objecting to its exclusion of small-scale community-based networks from eligible projects. The executive argues that allowing these local providers to participate is necessary for best developing community networks in historically disadvantaged areas.
This bill, signed into law on July 9, 2024, raises the minimum age for purchasing, owning, or possessing ammunition in Hawaii to 21, aligning ammunition regulations with existing firearm laws. It prohibits individuals under 21 from selling or transferring ammunition to anyone, while allowing exceptions for those who meet firearm possession criteria and are actively engaged in hunting or target shooting. To enforce these rules, sellers must check government-issued photo identification to verify the buyer's age before any transfer occurs. Violations of these provisions are classified as misdemeanors, and the law also updates existing statutes to clarify prohibitions on fugitives and those barred from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This document is a veto message from Governor Josh Green regarding Senate Bill 2557, which would have allowed courts to appoint attorneys for individuals facing petitions for assisted community treatment. The Governor returned the bill without approval because he deemed it redundant, noting that similar provisions were already enacted in House Bill 2159. Consequently, the bill does not become law and does not change the current legal representation rules for mental health proceedings in Hawaii.
This document is a formal message from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature confirming that he signed Act 236 into law on July 9, 2024. The act requires that mooring lines for vessels at commercial docks, wharves, piers, and similar facilities be secured by workers covered under collective bargaining agreements. This provision aims to ensure that experienced local workers handle these tasks to maintain harbor safety, though it explicitly excludes shipyard and drydock repair activities from this requirement. The law takes effect immediately upon approval but is set to expire on July 1, 2028.
This bill directs the Governor to inform the Legislature that Act 231 has been signed into law to strengthen Hawaii's agricultural biosecurity. The act requires the Department of Agriculture to lead and coordinate state-wide efforts to control and eradicate invasive pests while appropriating funds to support these programs. Additionally, the legislation provides grant funding to each county specifically for implementing feral chicken control initiatives.
This bill, officially titled Act 243, amends Hawaii Revised Statutes to clarify how evidence of intoxication is used in criminal cases. It establishes that self-induced intoxication cannot be used to argue a defendant lacked the mental state required for a crime, while allowing evidence of non-self-induced or pathological intoxication to be considered. The law defines pathological intoxication as a severe reaction to substances caused by a physical abnormality, distinct from voluntary intoxication. Additionally, the statute includes a provision that will automatically repeal these changes on July 1, 2034, restoring the previous legal standards.
