Bills & Legislation

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 REGIONAL SHORELINE MITIGATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to plan and serve in a coordinating role to develop shoreline adaptation pathways plans for regional shoreline mitigation districts designated by OPSD. Establishes procedures for the review of state and county permits associated with regional shoreline mitigation districts. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND.

Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii Island Property Manager position within the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Expands the uses of the Condominium Education Trust Fund to include educational resources for condominium unit owners in condominium governance. Requires the Real Estate Commission to ensure the interests of condominium unit owners are represented in certain activities funded by the Condominium Education Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Increases the number of associate judges on the Intermediate Court of Appeals from six to seven. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

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 POWERS OF ARTIFICIAL PERSONS.

Reaffirms that artificial persons created under state law possess only those powers that are necessary or convenient to carry out lawful purposes, and that those powers do not include the power to spend money or contribute anything of value to influence elections or ballot measures. Revokes all prior grants of entity powers and regrants only those powers that the State determines to be necessary or convenient to conduct lawful business under the Hawaii State Constitution and laws of this State. 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 CORRUPTION.

Establishes a statute of limitations of nine years for a bribery offense. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Amends the penalty for the unlawful possession, control, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition in violation of a valid judicial protective order or restraining order by reclassifying the offense from a misdemeanor to a class C felony. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION'S ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

Amends various sections of Hawaii's campaign spending laws by requiring designated campaign finance forms to be submitted electronically through the Campaign Spending Commission's upgraded electronic filing system. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Establishes a five-year Office of the State Construction Manager Pilot Program to provide guidance and recommendations on the design review of certain state construction projects administered by the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Education. Requires the Office to assign employees to the certain county agencies to review and approve permit applications under the Pilot Program. Establishes the Design Review Special Fund. Appropriates funds for the Pilot Program and necessary positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

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 SCHOOL MODERNIZATION.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a school modernization initiative through a capital improvement project planning database for school facilities statewide. 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 HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to make an annual report on the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals and on housing placement. Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to annually report to the Legislature on contracts and plans or proposals to enhance kauhale projects. Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to annually report to the Legislature on coordination between the office and any county, state, or federal agencies, or private or nonprofit organizations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO PETITIONS TO TEMPORARILY RESTRAIN AND ENJOIN HARASSMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE.

Establishes a two-year pilot project to authorize public employers to petition for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against employment-related harassment of certain public employees. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANTS.

Elevates the offense of harassment to a misdemeanor when committed against a public servant because of or during their performance of official duties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Changes from a misdemeanor to a class C felony the penalty for possessing, controlling, or transferring ownership of any firearm or ammunition by a person who is restrained by court order from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing any person. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class B felony the penalty for carrying a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance. Establishes unlawful possession of methamphetamine while carrying a firearm as a class B felony. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO SPORTS TOURISM.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study of the potential economic benefits and costs of sports tourism in the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires funds appropriated to the Hawaii Tourism Authority in the Supplemental Executive Budget to be expended by DBEDT for the study. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

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 THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Requires payments to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for letting, licensing, or renting of its properties to be at appraised market value rates or higher, except where the lessees, licensees, and tenants grow, raise, and harvest fresh local agricultural products for the Department of Education or are partner members of the Food and Product Innovation Network. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS.

Authorizes the use of moneys in certain special and revolving funds for operation and administration costs of the programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT.

PART I: Redesignates the Stadium Development District as the Halawa Community Development District (HCDD). Amends the composition of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) for purposes of the HCDD. Amends the duties and powers of the HCDA and Stadium Authority as they relate to activities within the HCDD. Clarifies the HCDA's permitting and consultation powers regarding public projects within community development districts. Establishes the HCDD Special Fund. Appropriates funds. PART II: Appropriates funds from the Stadium Development Special Fund for the planning, design, and development of the HCDD, contingent upon on certain requirements. PART III: Requires the HCDA, when planning and developing housing, to endeavor to plan for complete communities that include various aspects supporting quality of life. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND.

Provides a tax credit to taxpayers and makes deposits to the emergency and budget reserve fund and other post-employment benefits trust fund pursuant to article VII, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Amends criminal penalties under the Hawaii Public Procurement Code by providing that a person who intentionally violates the code is subject to prosecution for a misdemeanor in cases of egregious violations of the Code. Ensures that awarded contracts are supported by sufficient appropriations by requiring a contract amount that exceeds fifteen per cent of the amount of the appropriation or balance of an appropriation to be approved by the Chief Procurement Officer to become binding. Establishes positions within the State Procurement Office. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

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 PUBLIC SCHOOL LAND TRANSFER.

Revises tax map key numbers and the conveyance process by which identified properties are conveyed to the Department of Education pursuant to Act 307, SLH 2022. Directs the conveyance to the County of Kauai of certain lands held by the Department of Education. Directs the conveyance of land on which Kaimuki Middle School is located from the City and County of Honolulu to the Department of Education. Clarifies that land dispositions of school buildings, facilities, and grounds made by the DOE shall not require approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources when these dispositions are for periods exceeding one year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. (HD2)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

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 ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS RESEARCH.

Establishes the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Research Center of Hawaii (Research Center) within the University of Hawaii. Requires the Research Center to be administratively affiliated with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). Requires JABSOM, the Research Center, University of Hawaii Center on Aging, and University of Hawaii at Manoa to identify opportunities to capitalize on collaboration between the parties and maximize operational efficiencies. Requires the Research Center to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

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 ESSENTIAL PERMITTING POSITIONS.

Authorizes the mayor of each county with a population of less than five hundred thousand to implement a pilot program to improve the speed, accountability, and quality of permit processing within that county through targeted staffing, performance incentives, and interdepartmental competition. Authorizes increased pay for certain permitting positions and requires county personnel departments to prioritize the hiring of permitting positions as part of the pilot program. Requires participating county mayors and county agencies to establish goals for the pilot program. Requires participating county agencies to submit quarterly reports to the respective county councils on the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot project on 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

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 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes a five-year Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College and the Department of Human Resources Development. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Implements recommendations from the 2025 Advisory Committee on Penal Code Review, established pursuant to Act 245, SLH 2024, to amend the Hawaii Penal Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

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 LEI.

Requires and establishes benchmarks for each state executive agency to ensure that a certain percentage of lei purchased by that executive agency consists of lei made of natural objects and plant materials grown, harvested, and assembled in the State. Establishes labeling requirements for lei and lei materials. Requires the disclosure of the geographic origin for the plant materials and natural objects that comprise a lei or lei materials. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire, repair, and maintain irrigation systems in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to establish a Bachelor of Science degree program in Agricultural Science at University of Hawaii-West Oahu; to fund full-time positions; and for supplies and equipment to support the programs. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MAUNA KEA STEWARDSHIP AND OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY.

Part I: Clarifies the powers of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority so that it may carry out its intended duties regarding land use on Mauna Kea. Part II: Adds reversion dates of 6/30/2028 and 12/31/2029 if timelines requiring the adoption of a management plan or sending of proposed administrative rules to the Governor are not met; extends the transition period to 12/1/2029; requires the University of Hawaii to transfer the various Mauna Kea astronomical observatory conservation district use permits to the astronomical observatories; clarifies that the oversight and interest of MKSOA in the Mauna Kea lands shall be no more than the University of Hawaii's leasehold interest in the Mauna Kea lands unless otherwise agreed to by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Part III: Provides that the existing plans and administrative rules adopted or developed by UH under which Mauna Kea is currently governed remain in effect until plans and administrative rules adopted by MKSOA take effect. Part IV: Clarifies that MKSOA has state sovereign immunity. Part V: Authorizes MKSOA to extend leases and subleases before the expiration of the transition for up to an additional ten-year term. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Establishes a working group within the State Building Code Council to develop proposals for an off-site construction program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD1)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat