This bill establishes a pre-litigation mediation process for landlords and tenants in Hawaii to handle rent disputes after wildfire-related eviction protections expire. It requires landlords to give tenants at least fifteen days' written notice before filing for eviction and mandates that landlords attempt to resolve the issue through a state-funded mediation center if the tenant seeks help. Additionally, the law restricts landlords from filing eviction cases for unpaid rent unless the amount owed exceeds a specific threshold based on how much time has passed since the emergency moratorium ended. Both parties are responsible for their own legal costs related to this mediation stage, aiming to reduce the number of immediate eviction lawsuits.
This message from the Governor informs the Hawaii Legislature that Act 200, which establishes a wildfire forecast system using artificial intelligence, has been signed into law. The University of Hawaii is tasked with creating a two-year program to develop this system, which aims to predict wildfire risks across the state to improve public safety and help residents prepare for evacuations. To fund this initiative, $1,000,000 was appropriated from state general revenues for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The University must submit a report on the program's progress and findings to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the start of the 2026 regular session.
This bill serves as a formal notification to the state legislature that the Governor has returned HB1800, HD1, SD1, and CD1 with specific funding items removed or reduced. It directly affects the legislative body by communicating the Governor's decision to alter the financial provisions of these bills before they can become law. The document does not change any laws itself but rather records the executive branch's action to modify the budgetary components of the submitted package.
This message from the Governor of Hawaii informs the Legislature that Senate Bill 3153 was returned with specific funding amounts reduced. The bill aimed to create a special fund and provide $10 million in annual grants to help private dam owners repair or remove unsafe structures. The Governor exercised line-item veto authority to cut the proposed funding by half, reducing the appropriation to $5 million for both depositing into and withdrawing from the new special fund. This action was taken because the Governor believes it is not fiscally prudent to commit these funds until a full assessment confirms the long-term viability of the grant program.
This bill, known as Act 205, requires online charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities in Hawaii to register with the state department before they can solicit donations for public causes. The law mandates that these entities file periodic reports detailing donation amounts, fees charged, and the status of funds sent to recipient organizations, while also protecting donor privacy. Additionally, the bill ensures that only charities in good standing can receive funds and requires platforms to provide clear disclosures to donors to prevent confusion about where their money is going. These measures are designed to increase transparency and accountability for digital fundraising activities within the state.
This bill, known as the Hawaii Seabed Mining Prevention Act, prohibits the leasing of hard mineral mining on the state's seafloor. The law is based on the finding that seabed mining poses significant risks to marine ecosystems, cultural values, and existing ocean-dependent industries like fishing and tourism. By banning this activity, the legislation aims to protect Hawaii's diverse underwater environments and maintain the state's sovereignty over its ancestral waters.
This bill is a procedural message from the Governor to the Legislature confirming that Act 207 was signed into law on July 5, 2024. The act itself creates a dedicated office within the Office of Community Services to provide state-funded services for immigrants and refugees. These services are designed to help newcomers with language access, legal status issues, job searches, healthcare, and civic engagement. The legislation establishes a formal structure to support the state's large immigrant population, which includes significant numbers of workers in agriculture, tourism, and healthcare sectors.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on July 8, 2024, establishes a new process for inspecting public land in Hawaii that is leased or licensed to private entities. To address concerns that government staff may lack the expertise to assess building conditions, the law requires lessees to pay for qualified third-party inspectors to evaluate properties every five years. If these inspections reveal that structures need repair or replacement, the leaseholder must fix the issues at their own expense or face the risk of having their lease terminated. The legislation also ensures that inspections verify the land is being used for its intended purpose and that no unauthorized activities or hazardous materials are present.
This bill directs the Disability and Communication Access Board to form a working group to study the current state of American Sign Language interpreting services in Hawaii. The group will include representatives from state agencies, a university professor, a deaf and blind task force member, and a practicing interpreter to investigate ways to improve service provision. Members will serve without pay but receive expense reimbursements and must submit their findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 31, 2024. The working group is authorized to propose new legislation based on its study and will be dissolved on June 30, 2025. This measure aims to address recruitment challenges and ensure better access to interpreters for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
This bill, signed into law as Act 191, prohibits individuals from recklessly distributing or agreeing to distribute materially deceptive media, such as deepfakes, during election periods in Hawaii. The law applies specifically to the time between the first working day of February in even-numbered years and the subsequent general election, aiming to protect candidates and voters from manipulated content that could influence election outcomes. Key provisions include establishing criminal penalties for violations and creating legal remedies for parties harmed by such distribution, while exempting broadcasters and online platforms unless they knowingly participate in deception. Additionally, the bill allows for the distribution of deceptive media if it includes a clear, visible disclaimer stating that the content has been manipulated and does not depict real events.
This bill establishes a new certification system for plant care components, such as wood chips, compost, and filter socks, to prevent the spread of invasive pests. It requires the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to certify that these materials have been treated with fumigation or heat before they are distributed or transported within the state or to other locations. Additionally, the law mandates that fees collected from these certification processes be deposited into the state's pest inspection and eradication fund to support biosecurity efforts. The regulations take effect on July 1, 2024, and apply to any person distributing or transporting these specific plant materials.
This bill, known as Act 199, establishes new labeling rules for macadamia nuts sold in Hawaii to ensure consumers are accurately informed about the nuts' geographic origin. It directly affects food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers by requiring specific wording on product packages based on the percentage of nuts grown in the state. Products containing only Hawaii-grown nuts must display phrases like "100% Hawaii-Grown Macadamia Nuts," while those with mixed origins must clearly state the percentage of local nuts and include a notice that the package contains nuts grown outside Hawaii. The legislation also mandates that sellers provide proof of origin if asked and prohibits the use of misleading labels that falsely claim all nuts in a package are Hawaiian.
