HI SB981

Requires members of nine specified state councils, boards, and commissions to complete mandatory training on native Hawaiian and Hawaiian rights within six months of appointment.

Applicable boards include the land use commission, board of land and natural resources, commission on water resource management, environmental council, board of agriculture, agribusiness development corporation board, legacy land conservation commission, natural area reserves system commission, Hawaii historic places review board, and board of health.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs must establish and administer the training course covering historical information, state laws, constitutional provisions, court rulings protecting Hawaiian rights, and the importance of public trust resources.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs shall conduct training at least twice per calendar year and notify all required members that attendance is mandatory.

Board and commission chairpersons must provide the Office of Hawaiian Affairs with the names of newly appointed members within thirty days of their appointment dates.