Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a 5-year Hawaii Builds Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Authorizes the use of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for Pilot Program, subject to an annual cap. Mandates interagency coordination and expedited review for projects to facilitate timely delivery of projects. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE INDIVIDUAL HOUSING ACCOUNT PROGRAM.

For taxable years beginning 1/1/2027, (1) increases the maximum annual and total allowable deduction for contributions to individual housing accounts for income tax deductions and (2) increases the maximum allowable contributions for individual housing accounts to qualify for the income tax deductions. Repeals outdated language applicable to first-time home purchases made before 1/1/1990, by persons with an individual housing account. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MOTION PICTURE, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND FILM PRODUCTION INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Amends the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit (tax credit) by increasing the amount of the tax credit; requiring each taxpayer claiming the tax credit to submit an independent third-party certification verifying certain information to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; excluding qualified productions that incur at least $60,000,000 of qualified production costs from the per-production cap amount of $17,000,000; changing the aggregate cap amount to an unspecified amount; defining "streaming platform" and amending the definition of "qualified production" to include certain streaming productions; and extending the sunset date of the tax credit to 1/1/2038. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT STATE SMALL BOAT HARBORS AND STATE PARKS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to engage in certain capital improvement projects at state small boat harbors and state parks without prior approval from the Legislature and Governor for existing facilities. Requires quarterly reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 5 years after the effective date. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO MEAT DONATION.

Exempts the donation of wild game meat or meat products, including axis deer, to a charitable, religious, or nonprofit organization for the purpose of feeding needy individuals from certain laws regarding the inspection and transportation of meat. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRADE.

Establishes the Hawaii-Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature and Governor. Appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to fund out-of-state relations activities. (CD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN REMAINS.

Requires any cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, hydrolysis facility, or mortuary to dispose of the remains of a dead human body no later than sixty days from the later of either the date a burial‑transit permit has been issued or the date of an affidavit for amendment of the permit has been submitted. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Repeals the authorization of a physician to transmit a treatment plan by mail or facsimile to an address or facsimile number provided by the employer. Requires employers denying a treatment plan to file a written denial with the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations within seven days of receipt. Places the burden of proof on the employer to establish by a preponderance of medical evidence that the denial of the treatment plan is justified. Establishes a presumption that a denial of a treatment plan not supported by a medical opinion or relevant medical records existing at the time of denial shall be without reasonable grounds. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file a written denial within the seven-day period. Requires employers to pay the appropriate health care provider for any medical care set forth in a treatment plan that is accepted or deemed accepted. Establishes penalties for employers whom the Director found to have denied a treatment plan without reasonable grounds, frivolously, or primarily for purposes of delay, or to have failed to pay for an injured employee's medical care under an accepted treatment plan. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Authorizes an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination and refer an injured employee for the examination without first obtaining permission from the employee's employer in order to assess the employee's ability to return to work. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors that are not crimes of violence, or for offenses that are not crimes of violence punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment for an offense that is not a crime of violence to apply to the court for a sentence modification to conform to the new limit. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers to certify to the Department of the Attorney General annually that the manufacturer received a Marketing Granted Order from the federal Food and Drug Administration and that the manufacturer is in compliance with federal regulations and state laws. Requires the Department to compile and make public a directory of all electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers and products duly certified. Establishes penalties for manufacturers that fail to comply with the certification requirements and for other parties that acquire, possess, transport, keep, sell, or offer for sale products that are not in the directory. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO FILMING.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production obtains a permit or enters into a memorandum of agreement or understanding with DBEDT to film a visually recorded production at certain locations. Requires DBEDT to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production registers for pre-qualification or is determined to qualify for the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit and simultaneously post notice on a publicly accessible part of its website. Allows individuals to sign up to receive the public notice by electronic mail or postal mail. Provides an exemption for dispositions of lands set aside for filming and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSIONS.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a Cesspool Conversion Revolving Loan Fund, to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, to provide financial assistance, including low-interest or forgivable loans, to eligible homeowners for the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Establishes limits on transactions through digital financial asset transaction kiosks. Requires operators of digital financial asset transaction kiosks to use blockchain analytics and tracing software to prevent fraud; make certain disclosures; provide receipts to customers; provide full refunds under certain circumstances; hold new customer transactions for a period of at least forty-eight hours; and provide live customer service and a dedicated communications line for the Attorney General, Office of Consumer Protection, Department of Law Enforcement, and county police departments. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAFETERIA PLANS.

Requires the maximum contribution and carryover amounts for a public service flexible spending account plan to be set annually in accordance with the maximum amounts allowed under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL IDENTIFICATION.

Lowers the age to obtain a state civil identification card without a signature from a parent or guardian from eighteen years old to sixteen years old. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INTIMATE IMAGES.

Enacts the Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act (Modified). Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD CUSTODY.

Allows licensed mental health counselors to be appointed as child custody evaluators. (SD2)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Amends, for purposes of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's Rent-to-Own Program, the period during which the sales price of a dwelling unit is required to remain fixed from 5 years to a period of up to 10 years. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Limits mixed-use developments to transit-oriented developments that include housing along a locally preferred alternative for a mass transit system. Repeals the sunset date of Act 45, SLH 2024, thereby making permanent the authority of the counties to share in facilitating the development, construction, financing, refinancing, or other provision of mixed-use developments, including low- and moderate-income housing projects, and issue county bonds before 7/1/2033 for this purpose. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certain certificate of occupancy requirements for purposes of expedited permits. Requires state or county inspectors to inspect all projects with expedited permits. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS.

Requires the Department of Health to allow for the installation and operation of rainwater catchment systems for potable and nonpotable uses on all properties. Requires the Department of Health to regulate and enforce standards for the use of rainwater catchment systems. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Repeals the prohibition against qualified residents for Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation-approved projects holding a majority interest in land and repeals the requirement that qualified residents demonstrate financial viability or ability to pay rent. Adds an eligibility requirement limiting total value of assets and property. Amends exemptions from statutes, ordinances, charter provisions, and rules for certain housing projects developed by the Corporation that satisfy certain conditions, including requirements related to employment, owner-occupancy, and deed restrictions. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Deems a county inclusionary mandate as a form of development exaction and treats the mandate as a housing affordability impact fee, with certain exemptions. Prohibits a county from adopting, amending, or enforcing an inclusionary mandate or inclusionary mandates for residential or mixed-use development, under certain circumstances. Establishes additional requirements for a needs assessment study for a county-imposed inclusionary mandate. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Adjusts and requests appropriations for fiscal biennium 2025‑2027 funding requirements for operations and capital improvement projects of Executive Branch agencies and programs. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to contract with one or more organizations specializing in domestic violence to provide training and on-site staff in Child Welfare Services Branch offices to support all aspects of screening for and addressing domestic violence within a case. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSERVATION MITIGATION BANKS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources and certain public or private entities to operate conservation banks, subject to approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources, for situations where a person or entity is required to provide compensatory mitigation to offset adverse impacts to threatened, endangered, candidate, or proposed species as part of an approved incidental take license and habitat conservation plan. Adds the associate director of the United States Geological Survey, Ecosystem Mission Area, to the membership of the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Requires the Endangered Species Recovery Committee to review applications and proposals for conservation banks and conduct subsequent reviews and oversight. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO VISAS.

Establishes uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U and T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas. Requires each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U and T visa certifications, consistent with those statewide requirements. Appropriates funds for the Department of the Attorney General to provide training to certifying entities and certifying officials on all federal and state requirements for U and T visa certifications. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to notify an individual in the custody of a state or county law enforcement agency of their rights before any interview with federal immigration authorities pertaining to certain matters regarding civil immigration violations can commence. Designates all records relating to federal immigration authorities access to detained individuals provided by a state or local law enforcement agency as government records. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies that have provided federal immigration authorities access to a detained individual within the previous year to hold two public forums per year. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS.

Establishes the Community Behavioral Health Clinics Certifying Office to certify and decertify community behavioral health clinics and provide technical assistance for clinics seeking certification. Establishes the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Oversight Board. Amends the composition of the Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances and State Council on Mental Health to include a member from the Community Behavioral Health Clinics Certifying Office. Establishes decertification process. Limits state liability. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO VITAL STATISTICS.

Amends the various requirements in the event of a fetal death, including registration of certain fetal deaths, filing and preparation of a certificate of fetal death, and issuance of a permit for removal, burial, or other disposition. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

For policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2026, requires insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for standard fertility preservation services for persons undergoing medically necessary treatment that may cause iatrogenic infertility. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD2)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO PROTECTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS.

Establishes statewide standards for state and county agencies, officers, employees, and contractors, to limit participation in civil immigration enforcement in or near protected community locations. By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies, provide annual staff training, and maintain data privacy protections. Appropriates funds for implementation by the Attorney General. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Prohibits passenger ropeways on public property in all land use districts, with an exemption for a government entity or official government government-recognized corporation or nonprofit organization, subject to legislative approval. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that, for tax credits issued after 7/1/2026, a partner or member that is a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any taxpayer. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, until 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

Extends for five years certain provisions from Act 19, SLH 2020, and Act 238, SLH 2021, relating to abuse of family or household members, including establishing a petty misdemeanor offense of abuse of family or household members, clarifying penalties for violations, and allowing a deferred acceptance of guilty plea for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of family or household members offenses. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop a Human Trafficking Awareness Training Program to educate and train workers in the transient accommodations sector. Requires transient accommodations employers or transient accommodations third-party contractors to periodically provide the human trafficking awareness training to certain employees and contract workers, keep records of the training, post signage, and develop and implement a human trafficking prevention policy that includes procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking. Establishes penalties. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to adopt rules. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Prohibits persons from interfering with another person's access to or from a health care facility or disrupting the normal functioning of a health care facility. Makes violations a petty misdemeanor. Establishes a private right of action. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action for injunctive or other equitable relief. (SD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings and treatment for certain persons. Requires state-funded coverage for follow-up treatment for colorectal cancer for certain persons. Requires coverage to include a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive test result. Specifies that coverage is not subject to a deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirements. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires and appropriates funds for the State Health Planning and Development Agency to develop and publish a state plan on hearing loss. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Increases the expenditure limit and the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all elective offices. Adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying contributions certain candidates must receive to participate in the Partial Public Campaign Financing Program. Increases the matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions. Appropriates funds for the Program. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HABITUAL VIOLENT CRIME.

Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with Criminal Justice Research Institute, to submit ongoing annual reports to the Legislature. Amends Act 213, SLH 2024, by requiring the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit a one-time report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2031 and extending its sunset date to 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO JURY DUTY.

Increases the amount each juror or prospective juror is paid for each day of actual attendance at court. Appropriates funds. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION.

Allows digitized identification cards to be accepted as a valid form of identification, under certain conditions. Authorizes state and county law enforcement agencies to accept a digitized identification card as proof of a person's identity beginning 7/1/2027. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD2)

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO LEAD MATERIALS IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

Amends prohibitions on the use of lead materials in drinking water distribution to align with the Safe Drinking Water Act and related Code of Federal Regulations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE FOOD, DRUGS, AND COSMETICS.

Removes duplicative food-related statutory material and aligns all food-related provisions under chapter 328, HRS. Ensures adequate statutory authority for permits, fees, inspections, and enforcement. On 6/30/2027, repeals the Sanitation and Environmental Health Special Fund and transfers any unexpended or unencumbered balance to the newly established Food Safety and Environmental Health Special Fund. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

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 THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Authorizes the use of the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund to conduct donor evaluations. Requires the related report to the Legislature to include any donor evaluations conducted using moneys from the fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMEMADE FOOD PRODUCTS.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules for the regulation of farm kitchens producing homemade food products that are no more stringent than those for home kitchens producing homemade food products. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

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