Noteworthy bills that passed conference on 4/22

HB979 RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Uses certain special funds to support invasive species control and mitigation and to promote reforestation and sediment run-off mitigation. (Introduced by Rep. Pono Chong)

HB1212 RELATING TO INFORMATION PRACTICES
Deletes the exception of a record of complaints with respect to government information relating to an individual's fitness for a license, when balancing an unwarranted invasion of a person's privacy against the public disclosure of the record. (Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say)

HB1665 RELATING TO HAWAIIAN FISHPONDS
Prohibits the sale of public lands on which government-owned Hawaiian fishponds are located. (Introduced by Rep. Faye Hanohano)

HB2397 RELATING TO PRIMARY ELECTIONS
Moves the date of the primary election to the second Saturday of August. Requires nomination papers to be filed not later than 4:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday in June. (Effective January 2011) (Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say By Request)

HB2583 RELATING TO IMPOUNDED VESSELS
Establishes civil penalties for shark feeding, including impoundment and forfeiture of any commercial marine vessel, and administrative fines; clarifies that all costs and expenses associated with the disposal of an impounded unauthorized vessel by the department of land and natural resources shall be borne by the vessel owner. (Introduced by Rep. Calvin Say By Request)

SB532 RELATING TO CIVIL LIABILITY
Limits the civil liability of property owners for damages to persons injured on premises while committing certain criminal offenses. (Introduced by Senator Brian Taniguchi By Request)

SB930 RELATING TO VOLUNTARY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE CENTERS
Provides for medical expenses and immunity from liability for licensed medical personnel providing volunteer medical assistance services on behalf of the State or a county. (Introduced by Senator Colleen Hanabusa By Request)

SB2231 RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Prohibits prevention of installing an electric vehicle charging station on or near the parking stall of any multi-family residence or townhouse. (Introduced by Senator Mike Gabbard)

SB2400 RELATING TO FUNDS
Makes emergency appropriations for the Office of Elections and the Elections Commission. (Introduced by Senator Donna Kim)

SB2547 RELATING TO SMALL BOAT HARBORS
Requires small boat harbor vessel permittees who, in the course of providing an excursion using state boating facilities, disembark fare-paying passengers in certain counties with the expectation that they will visit state property adjacent to quasi-public property during the excursion, to accompany passengers at all times while ashore. (Introduced by Senator Carol Fukunaga)

SB2729 RELATING TO IMMUNIZATION
Authorizes the Department of Health to establish and maintain a single repository of immunization records to be designated as the "Hawaii Immunization Registry" to aid, coordinate, and help promote efficient and cost-effective screening, prevention, and control of vaccine-preventable diseases, including pandemic influenza (Introduced by Senator Colleen Hanabusa By Request)

SB2806 RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY AND BUDGET RESERVE FUND
Allows moneys from the excess general fund balance to be deposited into the emergency and budget reserve fund as a temporary source of funding for the State during times of emergency, severe economic downturn, and unforeseen reduction in revenues. Requires that moneys transferred from the general fund and other moneys in the emergency and budget reserve fund be kept in separate accounts. (Introduced by Senator Shan Tsutsui)

SB2883 RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES
Makes it an unlawful practice for any employer or labor organization to bar or discharge from employment, withhold pay from, or demote an employee because the employee legitimately uses accrued and available sick leave. Limited to employers with one hundred or more employees and a collective bargaining agreement. Exempts cases where an employee is unable to fulfill essential job functions. (Introduced by Rep. Dwight Takamine)