Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC.

Beginning 7/1/2028, allows chiropractic students enrolled in an accredited doctor of chiropractic program to engage in clinical training involving the practice of chiropractic as part of the completion of their degree, under certain conditions. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes supporting documents used to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle to an insurance company after payment of damages from the result of a total loss insurance settlement to be signed electronically. Requires insurance companies to indemnify and hold harmless the Director of Finance for any claims resulting from the issuance of motor vehicle titles utilizing documents signed electronically without a notary. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROCUREMENT.

Requires purchasing agencies to apply a five per cent flat rate local preference in evaluating bids or proposals from qualified Hawaii bidders or offerors who submit a timely preference certification. Establishes criteria for a bid or proposal to qualify for a local preference. Establishes requirements for the qualification and certification of Hawaii bidders and offerors and consequences for failure to maintain qualification. Requires the Procurement Policy Board to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/2525. (HD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING.

Allows the Department of Education to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires that unlicensed teachers hired on an emergency basis make continuous and verifiable progress toward satisfying licensing requirements. Sunsets on 6/30/2031. (HD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO COUNTY LABOR STANDARDS.

Authorizes counties to require contractors to disclose employee wage, benefit, hour, and employment‑status information. Authorizes counties, under certain conditions, to deny, revoke, or suspend building permits for violations of related laws. Establishes a process by which an owner or developer may replace a noncompliant contractor and transfer the building permit to the replacement contractor. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER.

Establishes an order of succession for an Interim Chief Election Officer in the event of a vacancy in the position of Chief Election Officer until the Elections Commission appoints a new Chief Election Officer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.

Requires a person who applies for an identification card or driver's license to be automatically registered to vote unless the person affirmatively declines, subject to certain conditions. Requires the name and address of a person who applies for an identification card or driver's license and is registered to vote to be automatically updated on the person's voter registration record unless the person affirmatively declines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO EQUITY.

Requires all places of public accommodation and public entity construction projects planned and designed after 7/31/2027 to provide at least one universal changing accommodation within the building in a public restroom, with certain exceptions. Makes conforming amendments to sections 489-6, 489-7.5, and 489-8, HRS, to prevent conflicts among the provisions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE BOATING FACILITIES.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to: (1) Hold open public meetings before and as it develops a master plan regarding state small boat harbors, including the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor; (2) Finalize the master plan for state small boat harbors, including the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor; and (3) Consider the phased development of state small boat harbors, including the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS.

Establishes that when a neighborhood board of the City and County of Honolulu has a vacancy, a majority of the filled seats shall constitute quorum for conducting business and a majority vote of the members present at the board's meeting shall validate an act of the board as part of its official business. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL HOUSING UTILITIES.

No later than 1/1/2029, requires each county board of water supply to publish a map of its service area and a list of service-restricted areas on their website. Specifies a procedure for responding to certain water availability requests. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Exempts persons operating wing-in-ground craft engaged in the transportation of passengers from the application of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Defines "wing‑in‑ground craft". Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER.

Specifies that the Chief Election Officer may only be terminated for cause. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish performance-based incentives, including revenue adjustment mechanisms, cost control mechanisms, and reward and penalty mechanisms on or before 1/1/2027. Clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission is authorized to adopt alternative ratemaking procedures to establish electric utility rates and performance-based incentives. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to apply a presumption in favor of considering historical cost trends and external indices that reflect incentives to control costs if the Commission resets an electric utility's allowed revenues based on consideration of the utility's costs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.

Authorizes the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects to determine the appropriate educational and examination requirements for landscape architect licensure. Clarifies experience requirements for landscape architect licensure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSING.

Specifies that registered pharmacy technicians must be at least sixteen years old. Clarifies when registered pharmacy technicians are authorized to administer vaccinations. Authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to renew certificates of registration for registered pharmacy technicians. Clarifies renewal requirements and forfeiture and restoration provisions for certificates of registration. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION.

Establishes the State Fire Code as the minimum statewide standard for fire safety. Prohibits the counties from adopting, amending, or enforcing any ordinance, rule, or code provision that is less restrictive than the State Fire Code. Establishes the State Fire and Life Safety Special Fund. Limits the frequency of fire and safety inspections at state facilities by the Office of the State Fire Marshal to no more than once every three years. Amends Act 302, SLH 2025, by replacing two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions for fire inspectors and three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions for fire investigators with four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) positions for assistant fire marshals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Amends the prohibition on the use of the far left lane by commercial vehicles on roadways with three or more lanes going in the same direction. Restricts motor vehicles towing a vehicle or trailer from using the far left lane, subject to specified exemptions. Establishes penalties for violations. Applies restrictions and penalties to a county with a population of 500,000 or more. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Requires a statewide permitting data standard developed collaboratively by the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, county permitting agencies, and the Chief Data Officer. Requires each county to publish monthly updates of building and civil engineering permit data in accordance with that standard. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms to address economic factors sua sponte or on application by a water carrier. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a water carrier inflationary cost index automatic adjustment mechanism. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to waive or exempt any water carrier from any requirement under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Sunsets 7/1/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Prohibits vehicles from driving on the shoulder of a roadway, except in certain circumstances. Beginning one year after the effective date of this Act, authorizes the Department of Transportation and law enforcement officers to impound vehicles with expired registrations of three years or more, under certain conditions. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Increases the fine amount for owners of out-of-state motor vehicles who fail to register the vehicle in the State. Establishes minimum and maximum statutory penalties for violations relating to the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION.

Lengthens the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to one year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT.

Appropriates funds for equipment for the Hawaii Island Branch of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO BOATING.

Clarifies the penalties for violations of boating and ocean recreation laws pursuant to chapter 200, HRS. Clarifies the violations that constitute unauthorized conduct. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

Requires natural hair braiders to be registered, rather than licensed, under the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. By 11/1/2026, requires the Board to adopt rules prescribing the approved courses or programs that cover sanitation, health, and safety practices required for natural hair braiding. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO AMBULANCES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in Central Maui and fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO RECORDS.

Removes outdated requirements and formats for plans filed with the registrar's office. Updates permissible drawing scales used in plans. Clarifies that statutory filing fees are set pursuant to the rules adopted by the Department of Accounting and General Services. Repeals obsolete terms such as "blueprint." Authorizes the Department of Accounting and General Services to approve the format of plans. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL SERVICE EXEMPT POSITIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES.

Exempts from the State's civil service and collective bargaining laws the following positions within the Department of Accounting and General Services: all positions filled by the Public Works Division's Special Project Branch; and all positions within the Comptroller's Office hired to support communications, change management, and business process improvement programs as part of the State's information technology modernization efforts. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 12/31/2031. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MILITARY FAMILIES.

Authorizes an eligible employee to take family leave for a qualifying military exigency under state law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PORT PILOTAGE.

Clarifies the consulting role and responsibilities of the Department of Transportation in the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' development and implementation of port pilot licensure standards, requirements, and criteria. Repeals Port Allen from the list of designated pilotage waters. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX.

PART I: Repeals future adjustments to income tax brackets. For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, adds an income tax bracket and increases the income tax rates for the three highest income tax brackets by one percentage point each. Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit and increases income eligibility thresholds for the credit. Establishes certain disallowance periods following a final decision that a claim for the credit was due to fraud and that the claim was disallowed. Extends the sunset for enhancements made by Act 163, SLH 2023, to the Household and Dependent Care Services Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Food/Excise Tax Credit to 12/31/2032. PART II: Amends the renewable energy technologies income tax credit by: for taxable years beginning after 12/31/26, limiting claims for certain solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems and installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $250,000 or less if filing as an individual or $350,000 or less if filing jointly; removing certain cap amounts for solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems; and increasing the maximum adjusted gross income an individual taxpayer must be below in order to be eligible to have any excess credits refunded and limiting credit refundability to systems that are not third-party financed systems. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PERSONNEL.

Updates state position titles by changing "private secretary" to "executive assistant" and "secretary" to "administrative assistant", where applicable. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE FIRE COUNCIL.

Replaces the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations with the Department of Law Enforcement as the department responsible for budgeting administrative staffing for the State Fire Council. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW.

Repeals the requirement that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations regulate hoisting machines and certify their operators and the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, including its rules requiring a separate state crane operator certificate. Allows additional time for the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to complete an investigation of a discharge or discrimination complaint pertaining to employees exercising rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Law without formal extension. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to assume responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for highway projects, as well as railroad, public transportation, or multimodal projects within the State, allowing streamlined environmental reviews. Provides a limited waiver of sovereign immunity to comply with federal requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FEDERAL MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements with the United States Department of Defense for the provision of services at federal military installations, under certain conditions. Authorizes charging an administrative fee. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Removes county-specific expenditure restrictions for funds in the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to assess the procurement of the operator of the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program. Requires the Department of Transportation to reissue procurement for the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program every five years. Requires unencumbered and unexpended revenues from the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund in excess of a certain amount as of June 30 of each year to lapse to the general fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AIR MEDICAL SERVICES.

Establishes the Statewide Air Medical Services Program within Establishes the Statewide Air Medical Services Program within the Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Branch to coordinate and strengthen air medical services. Establishes an air medical director, an air medical program manager, and an air medical coordinator. Specifies that annual licensure and accreditation fees are to be deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund for costs of the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HARBOR SAFETY.

Repeals the sunset provisions of Act 236, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, thereby making permanent the requirement that the Department of Transportation ensure that the securing of mooring lines from vessels to commercial docks, wharves, piers, quays, and landings be performed by labor subject to collective bargaining. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO BONDS.

Part I: Substitutes the word "tax increment" with "resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity" for purposes of the Resilient Infrastructure for Shelter and Equity Act, except under certain circumstances. Part II: Conforms state law concerning county debt limits to permit counties to exclude resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds from the debt limit of the counties, if a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds and excluding resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds from determinations of the counties' funded debt is ratified. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

Amends the membership and responsibilities of the Public Land Trust Working Group established under Act 226, SLH 2022. Requires the Working Group to submit four reports to the Legislature: by 8/1/2026, a first interim report regarding the public land trust inventory; by 12/1/2026, a second interim report regarding Act 178, SLH 2006, financial reporting and accounting; by 6/1/2027, a preliminary draft settlement of the income and proceeds from OHA's pro rata portion of the public land trust; and by 10/1/2027, a final report that includes a final draft settlement. Requires the State, OHA, and other applicable parties to begin preliminary negotiations regarding the final draft settlement by 10/1/2027. Appropriates funds for the Legislative Reference Bureau to retain independent third-party professionals for the Working Group and requires matching funds from OHA. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSING.

Amends requirements to commercial driver's license qualification standards to meet current federal regulations to allow the State to issue a non-domiciled commercial learner's permit and non‑domiciled commercial driver's license for applicants who are unable to provide proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits entities from distributing unsolicited mail or electronic mail that employs high pressure tactics or is reasonably likely to cause a consumer to believe that the sender is affiliated with another entity that the sender is not actually affiliated with and the entity is asking the recipient to pay for goods, services, or forms of legal authorization, unless certain disclosures are met. Makes contracts that fail to meet disclosure requirements voidable at the option of the consumer. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Clarifies the process for selecting a certified provider of vocational rehabilitation services. Requires certified providers to automatically approve vocational rehabilitation services for an injured employee if those services will likely be required for suitable gainful employment and the initial evaluation report finds the injured employee feasible to participate. Requires providers to file an employee's vocational rehabilitation plan no later than one hundred twenty days after submitting an initial evaluation report, unless extended by the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations. Clarifies the process for an employer to object to a vocational rehabilitation plan. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

By 2/28/27, requires the Department of Human Services, upon obtaining a federal waiver, to establish a pre-release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process for inmates nearing release. Allows all individuals convicted of an offense involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance to apply for SNAP benefits, regardless of treatment status. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Exempts certain positions in the Developmental Disabilities Division of the Department of Health and Hawaii State Hospital from civil service. Authorizes the Director of Health to appoint two additional associate administrators and two project managers for the Hawaii State Hospital or a secure psychiatric rehabilitation facility. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PHARMACY.

Specifies a framework for the administration of audits of records of registered pharmacists and pharmacies. Amends the definition of "pharmacy benefit manager" under chapter 431S, HRS, to exclude certain health maintenance organizations. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO ASSOCIATIONS.

Clarifies that in planned community association and condominium association elections conducted by cumulative voting, cumulative voting rights apply to all candidates, including write-ins, and that individual votes are used when allocating votes. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO A GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE.

Provides a general excise tax exemption for the sale of material, parts, or tools used for aircraft service and maintenance or for the construction of an aircraft service and maintenance facility. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat