2022 legislative rep0rt

A list of legislative measures that Senator DeCoite introduced during the 2022 session.

AGRICULTURE

SB2614 RELATING TO FARM DWELLINGS.
Prohibits the construction of new farm dwellings on agricultural park lots. Prohibits residence within an unpermitted farm dwelling. Authorizes inspections.
Senate 1/31/2022: Re-Referred to WTL/AEN, JDC/WAM; Was not heard.

SB2615 SD1 RELATING TO THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
Amends the composition of the Board of Agriculture by providing representation from the islands of Molokai and Lanai.
House 3/18/2022: Passed Second Reading; Referred to JHA; Was not heard.

*SB2621 SD1 HD1 CD1 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture to establish bovine tuberculosis control operations on Molokai, including staff, land, and equipment.
Governor 5/6/2022: Enrolled to Governor.

SB2622 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO BIOFUELS.
Establishes and appropriates moneys for a two-year pilot project to grow biodiesel crops in the State. Requires a report to the Legislature.
House 3/18/2022: Passed Second Reading; Referred to CPC. Was not heard.

SB2628 SD1 RELATING TO PUBLIC AUCTIONS.
Requires the disposition for new leases of any public lands under the jurisdiction of the Board of Agriculture or Department of Agriculture by public auction to be open to the public. Requires the Board of Agriculture or Department of Agriculture, as applicable, to issue public advertisements for each public auction.
Senate 2/16/2022: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended; Referred to JDC/WAM; Was not heard.

SB3181 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
Establishes a local agriculture transportation cost reimbursement incentive program to be administered by the department of agriculture to reimburse eligible producers for a portion of the producer’s costs to transport agricultural commodities. Appropriates moneys.
House 3/18/2022: Passed Second Reading as amended; referred to CPC; Was not heard.

AGRICULTURE RESOLUTIONS

SCR76/SR69 REQUESTING THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE TO PROHIBIT UNAPPROVED RESIDENTIAL USE OF FARM DWELLINGS IN AGRICULTURAL PARKS.
Senate 4/1, 4/26/2022: Resolutions adopted in final form.

PESTICIDES

SB2629 SD2 RELATING TO PESTICIDES.
Requires the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of Health, to develop and implement a one-time pesticide disposal collection program, for a duration to be determined by the department. Requires the Advisory Committee on Pesticides to serve as a steering committee to guide and monitor the pesticide disposal collection program. Makes an appropriation.
House 3/14/2022: Re-referred to HHH, CPC, FIN; Was not heard.

CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

SB3342 RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SEVENTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.
Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 7th senatorial district.
Senate 1/28/2022: Referred to WAM; Was not heard.

EDUCATION

SB2612 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.
Establishes a reusable utensil pilot project in department of education schools on Molokai. Requires the department of education to submit an interim report and a final report to the legislature on the feasibility of statewide implementation. Appropriates moneys.
Senate 4/20/2022: Received notice of appointment of House conferees.

SB2631 RELATING TO EDUCATION FUNDING.
Requires the Department of Education Committee on Weights to consider the impact of its weighted student formula recommendations on small and remote schools.
Senate 1/24/2022: Referred to EDU, WAM; Was not heard.

SB2632 RELATING TO TEACHER COMPENSATION.
Makes an appropriation to fund pay raises for certain teachers.
Senate 1/24/2022: Referred to EDU, WAM; Was not heard.

SB3249 RELATING TO CLASSROOM SUPPLIES.
Requires the Department of Education to reimburse the personal expenditure of funds by teachers under certain circumstances.
Senate 1/28/2022: Referred to EDU, WAM; Was not heard.

SB3340 SD1 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII MAUI COLLEGE, MOLOKAI EDUCATION CENTER.
Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Maui College for the relocation of the University of Hawaii Maui College, Molokai Education Center.
Senate 2/17/2022: Passed Second Reading as amended, referred to WAM; Was not heard.

EDUCATION RESOLUTIONS

SCR16/SR10 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A COMPARISON STUDY AND REIMBURSE CERTAIN TEACHER EXPENDITURES FOR CLASSROOM SUPPLIES.
Senate 3/18/2022: EDU deferred both the measures.

ENVIRONMENT

SB2610 RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.
Reinstates income tax credit for cesspool upgrade, conversion, or connection for
eligible taxpayers and eligible expenses.
Senate 1/24/2022: Referred to AEN/WTL, WAM; Was not heard.

SB2613 RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
Codifies sustainable development goals based on the United Nations’ Global Goals
and indicators.
Senate 2/17/2022: GVO deferred the measure.

SB2617 RELATING TO VEGETATIVE BURNING.
Prohibits the Department of Health from issuing permits for commercial burning of green waste products in residential areas or within one thousand feet of a residential property.
Senate 2/28/2022: AEN deferred the measure.

SB2619 RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.
Requires that the Department of Land and Natural Resources adopt rules prohibiting landowners possessing ten thousand or more acres from producing runoff and holding those landowners responsible for any runoff originating on their property.
Senate 1/24/2022: Referred to WTL/AEN, JDC/WAM; Was not heard.

SB2626 SD1 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State
Parks, Maui Parks Section for the purchase of additional vehicles.
House 3/22/2022: Passed Second Reading referred to FIN; Was not heard.

SB2633 RELATING TO PROTECTION OF STREAMS.
Prohibits dispositions that authorize diverting water from East Maui county streams for commercial purposes, except for existing water uses by the Maui County Department
of Water Supply.
Senate 1/24/2022: Referred to WTL, WAM/JDC; Was not heard.

SB3178 RELATING TO WATER RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to conduct a study on the capacity of potable and non-potable water in various regions in the county of Maui to determine whether there is sufficient capacity for the county to expand its affordable housing supply.
Senate 1/26/2022: Referred to WTL/HOU, WAM; Was not heard.

GAME MANAGEMENT

SB2625 RELATING TO GAME MANAGEMENT.
Grants certain emergency powers to the Department of Land and Natural Resources when certain conditions are met to facilitate quicker response and management efforts for controlling feral ungulate populations. Makes an appropriation to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the Maui branch of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife to fund positions and purchase equipment necessary to address axis deer population management and control.
Senate 1/24/2022: Referred to WTL/JDC, WAM; Was not heard.

*SB3179 SD2 HD2 CD1 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND
AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife
To adopt rules and issue funds to licensed hunters at a per unit rate for feral axis deer herd
management.
Governor 5/6/2022: Enrolled to Governor.

SB3251 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO HUNTING GUIDES.
Requires that hunting guides obtain written permission from private landowners or other appropriate persons before hunting on private lands. As part of the licensing process, requires hunting guides to file the written permission with the department of land and natural resources’ division of forestry and wildlife. Requires hunting guides to carry a copy of the written permission with them while hunting or guiding clients.
House 3/30/2022: JHA deferred the measure.

ENVIRONMENT RESOLUTIONS

SCR17/SR11 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES’ COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON WATER RESOURCES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
Senate 4/1/2022: WTL deferred the measures.

SCR74/SR67 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROHIBIT COMMERCIAL BURNING WITHIN AND ADJACENT TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
Senate 3/23/2022: HTH deferred the measures.

SCR75/SR68 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PRIORITIZE ENFORCEMENT OF WATER POLLUTION REGULATIONS IN AREAS WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF RUNOFF AND OTHER FORMS OF WATER POLLUTION ON MOLOKAI.
SCR75 House 4/4/2022: Referred to WAL/EEP, CPC; Was not heard.
^SR68 Senate 3/31/2022: Report and Resolution Adopted.

HAWAIIAN ISSUES

SB2567 SD1 HD1 RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES.
Requires the department of Hawaiian home lands to digitize its applicant, beneficiary, and lessee records by creating an interactive digital database software program to be completed and available for use no later than 7/1/2023. Appropriates moneys.
Senate 4/29/2022: Conference committee reconvened; Was not heard.

*SB2623 SD2 HD2 CD1 RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.
Excludes from any waiting list maintained by the department of Hawaiian home lands any lessee or successor who sells or transfers their lease on a tract of Hawaiian home lands for personal gain.
Governor 5/6/2022: Enrolled to Governor.

SB3247 SD2 HD2 RELATING TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.
Requires DHHL to develop a strategic plan to meet certain housing preferences of individuals on the DHHL applicant waiting list. Requires DHHL to submit the strategic plan to the legislature no later than 12/10/2022.
Senate 4/26/2022: Conference committee reconvene; Was not passed.

HEALTH

*SB2624 SD2 HD2 CD1 RELATING TO HEALTH.
Requires the Department of Health to implement a telehealth pilot project and publish an evaluation report on the telehealth pilot project outcomes. Requires the Department to implement and administer a rural health care pilot project to provide physicians and nurse practitioners serving selected rural areas with an availability fee and reimbursements for certain expenses and submit to the Legislature an evaluation report on the rural health care pilot project outcomes. Appropriates funds to support the pilot projects.
Governor 5/6/2022: Enrolled to Governor.

SB3180 SD1 RELATING TO HEALTH CARE. Companion: HB1635
Establishes the Rural Health Task Force within the Department of Health to make recommendations on registered nurse recruitment and retention in rural areas of east Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.
Senate 2/22/2022: CPN deferred the measure.

SB3248 SD1 HD2 RELATING TO AMBULANCES.
Appropriates funds to the department of health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment, to be based on the island of Molokai, and pay related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel.
House 4/18/2022: Received notice of Senate conferees.

JUDICIAL

SB2618 SD1 RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
Establishes and funds an environmental investigative hotline pilot project through the Department of the Attorney General, Investigations Division, that will implement and manage an investigative hotline for Molokai residents to report environmental concerns on Molokai and have one full time investigator on the island of Molokai to investigate environmental concerns.
House 3/15/2022: EEP deferred the measure.

KALAUPAPA MEMORIAL

*SB3338 SD2 HD1 RELATING TO THE KALAUPAPA MEMORIAL.
Appropriates funds for the design, planning, and construction of the Kalaupapa Memorial to be expended by the Department of Health.
Governor 5/6/2022: Enrolled to Governor.

LABOR & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SB2611 RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS.
Expressly prohibits noncompete agreements with certain exceptions.
Senate 1/24/2022: Referred to LCA/EET, JDC; Was not heard.

SB2630 RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
Authorizes a court to order the forfeiture of all of the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) benefits of an ERS member, former member, or retirant upon conviction of the individual for a felony related to the State or county employment of the individual. Prohibits designated beneficiaries convicted of a felony under the same set of circumstances as the member, former member, or retirant who was subject to forfeiture of ERS benefits from receiving benefits.
Senate 1/24/2022: Referred to LCA, JDC/WAM; Was not heard.

SB3339 RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
Clarifies that the Director of Human Resources Development shall not hold the position of Chief Negotiator of the State.
Senate 1/28/2022: Referred to LCA, JDC; Was not heard.

TAXATION

SB3182 SD1 RELATING TO A WEALTH ASSET TAX.
Establishes a wealth asset tax of one per cent of the state net worth of each individual taxpayer who holds $20,000,000 or more in assets in the State.
Senate 2/18/2022: WAM deferred the measure.

SB3250 SD1 RELATING TO TAXATION.
Establishes two additional marginal tax rates for joint filers whose income exceeds $10,000,000 and $25,000,000, head of households whose income exceeds $7,500,000 and $18,750,000, individuals whose income exceeds $5,000,000 and $12,500,000, and estates and trusts that have income exceeding $200,000 and $500,000, respectively. Establishes a working group within the Department of Taxation to develop a proposal for a state wealth tax.
Senate 2/18/2022: WAM deferred the measure.

BROADBAND

SB3341 RELATING TO THE HAWAII BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE.
Amends the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office’s duties, including requiring the office to prioritize the access to broadband in rural areas of the State.
Senate 1/28/2022: Referred to GVO, WAM; Was not heard.

LABOR & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOLUTIONS

SCR12 SD1/SR6 SD1 URGING THE HAWAII BROADBAND AND DIGITAL EQUITY OFFICE TO PRIORITIZE ACCESS TO BROADBAND SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
SCR12 SD1 – House 4/18/2022: Report adopted, referred to CPC; Was not passed.
SR6 SD1 – Senate 4/6/2022: Report and Resolution adopted.

SCR72 SD1 ESTABLISHING A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE AUTONOMOUS REGION OF MADEIRA, PORTUGAL.
House 4/18/2022: Report adopted, referred to JHA. (House 5/5/2022: Companion HCR14
HD1 adopted in final form.)

PUBLIC SAFETY

SB2616 SD2 RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.
Requires government entities to seek reimbursement for search and rescue expenses for persons who require rescue after leaving a hiking trail to enter a prohibited area or hiking on a trail closed to the public.
House 3/10/2022: Referred to WAL, JHA, FIN; Was not heard.

TRANSPORTATION

SB2620 RELATING TO AIRLINES.
Requires the Department of Transportation to establish and implement a one-year airline subsidy pilot program at Molokai airport and Lanai airport to assist airlines in offsetting the costs of operation. Makes an appropriation.
Senate 1/24/2022: Referred to TRS, WAM; Was not heard.

SB2627 SD2 MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
Makes an emergency appropriation to the Department of Transportation for construction of a new perimeter fence at Kahului Airport in response to the overpopulation of axis deer in the county of Maui.
House 3/10/2022: Referred to TRN, FIN; Was not heard.

TRANSPORTATION RESOLUTIONS

SCR73/SR66 REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THE BRIDGES ALONG HANA HIGHWAY
Senate 3/17/2022: TRS deferred the measures.

SCR77/SR70 REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HIGHWAYS DIVISION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON LOAD CAPACITY OF ROADS IN THE PORTION OF MAUI COUNTY WITHIN THE SEVENTH SENATE DISTRICT.
Senate 3/29/2022: TRS deferred the measures.