# Hawaii HB 12: RELATING TO TORT LIABILITY.

Hawaii HB 12, RELATING TO TORT LIABILITY., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) House bill sponsored by Sam Satoru Kong (Democratic); status failed, last action 2025-12-08 (Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB12-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 12
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO TORT LIABILITY.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-09
- Last action: 2025-12-08, Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- Sponsor: Sam Satoru Kong (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Landowner Liability, Recreational Uses of Land, WAL, JHA, FIN
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Clarifies that persons who enter private property for recreational purposes have no cause of action, unless exempted under law. Requires courts to award attorneys' fees and costs to landowners if plaintiffs bring unreasonable actions. Establishes, as a matter of law, that persons participating in outdoor recreational activities accept the inherent risks, dangers, or hazards in the activities. Clarifies the definitions for "recreational purpose" and "recreational user".

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Sam Satoru Kong (Democratic), House

## Actions (6)

- 2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- 2025-01-28: The committee(s) on WAL recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. (House)
- 2025-01-24: Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Tuesday, 01-28-25 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2025-01-21: Referred to WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 1 (House)
- 2025-01-16: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2025-01-09: Prefiled. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB12_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB12_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2964: RELATING TO PROPERTY INSURANCE. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB12_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB12_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2964: RELATING TO PROPERTY INSURANCE.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2964-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB12-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).