Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HURRICANE RELIEF FUND.

Requires the plan of operation for the Hawaii hurricane relief fund to include the filing and litigation of subrogation claims against responsible parties for claims paid by the fund for losses attributable to climate change. Requires insurance rates for the fund to account for proceeds paid to the fund from subrogation claims.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO NICOTINE.

Requires the Department of Health to determine standards for safe levels of nicotine in products to ensure the prevention of addiction. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to restrict the sale of any products that contain levels of nicotine that exceed the standards determined by DOH. Authorizes DOH and DCCA to adopt rules.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Imposes a conveyance tax rate of 300% on sales of residential real property to persons who have not filed a Hawaii state income tax return within the preceding 4-year period.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a comprehensive plan for the establishment of a universal, single payer health care system to replace all other health care coverage in the State, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Prepaid Health Care Act. Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as the Hawaii Care program under the Hawaii Health Authority to take effect one hundred eighty days after the approval of waivers from certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the State's Medicaid plan. Appropriates funds.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO A HAWAII TEACHER REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

Establishes the Hawaii Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, to be administered by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Appropriates funds.

AQUINO

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Repeals section 328J-11.5, HRS.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Beginning July 1, 2026, bans the sale of all flavored tobacco products and mislabeled e-liquid products. Establishes positions and appropriates funds to enforce the ban. Repeals section 328J-11.5, HRS. Effective July 1, 2025.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL AND TECHNICAL INTERCHANGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, INC.

Designates the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc., as the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc. Authorizes General Fund appropriations exempt from the requirements of chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC.

Revises registration, fee, reporting, and enforcement requirements for charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities with chapter 467B, HRS, requirements. Removes duplication of registration, fee, and reporting requirements for charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Authorizes county petition process for review and approval of land use district boundary amendments based on adopted county general plans or county development plans.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Repeals the provision authorizing farm dwellings and farm employee housing on important agricultural lands, amends the provision for priority permit processing to include farm cluster housing, and adopts a new provision establishing farm cluster housing to incentivize the designation of lands as important agricultural lands pursuant to chapter 205, HRS.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.

Allows the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to assume historic preservation review of the effect of any proposed project for lands under its jurisdiction except for projects affecting properties listed or nominated for inclusion in the Hawaii register of historic places or the national register of historic places.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FEES.

Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources the environmental stewardship fee program to collect a fee from visitors through an environmental stewardship license and allocate the revenue to protect, restore, and manage natural and cultural resources through grants to nonprofit organizations. Establishes the environmental stewardship fee special fund. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Commission to make recommendations to the Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the use of revenues in the special fund. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct rulemaking. Requires a report to the legislature, including an environmental stewardship fee strategic plan. Creates civil or administrative penalties to be imposed after July 1, 2030. Appropriates funds.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Exempts from the Hawaii Public Procurement Code contracts by government bodies to procure certain construction projects.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Exempts housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from school impact fees.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL ADVANCEMENT CONTRACTS.

Amends section 266-19.5(d), HRS, for the purpose of increasing the cap for the contract value of any one capital advancement contract (CAC) and the cap for the total aggregate value of CACs in a fiscal year entered into by the Department of Transportation with private parties for harbor improvements. Adds reporting requirements for the department.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREFIGHTING AT COMMERCIAL HARBORS.

Limits civil liability of individuals who render firefighting services at any of the State's commercial harbors or roadsteads, any commercial harbor or waterfront improvement belonging to or controlled by the State, or any vessel within a commercial harbor or roadstead to only damages resulting from an individual's gross negligence or wanton acts or omissions.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL INFORMED CONSENT.

Requires the Hawaii Medical Board to establish standards for health care providers to ensure that a patient's consent to treatment is an informed consent. Requires that informed consent for a proposed medical or surgical treatment or a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure shall be obtained before the day of that treatment or procedure. Specifies that if the treatment or procedure is to occur on the same day it is scheduled, the informed consent shall be obtained at the time the decision is made to schedule that treatment or procedure.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO RARE DISEASES.

Establishes a Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Department of Health to advise the State on the needs of rare disease patients.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Establishes an Ombudsman's Office for homeowner associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes an Ombudsman's Office Special Fund. Requires board members of condominium associations, cooperative housing corporations, and planned community associations to meet certain educational requirements through classes offered by the ombudsman. Updates statutes relating to condominium associations, cooperative housing corporations, and planned community associations to integrate the role and functions of the ombudsman's office for homeowner associations. Appropriates funds for establishment of the ombudsman's office.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Repeals the Public Utilities Commission's authority to penalize electric utility companies that fail to meet the renewable portfolio standards.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO GAMING.

Establishes the Hawaii Lottery and Gaming Corporation for the purpose of conducting and regulating wagering and gaming in the State. Establishes the Lottery and Gaming Special Fund and allocates certain percentages of the fund to various community betterment purposes.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR CARRIERS.

Exempts non-profit community-based organizations providing transportation services from motor carrier regulations under certain circumstances.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Authorizes the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish a two-year Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program to provide 50 per cent matching grants to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the United States Department of Defense Office of Naval Research. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to adopt administrative rules to implement the Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program. Establishes the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

Establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for prior authorization process in the State, including disclosure and notice requirements for utilization review entities regarding their prior authorization requirements and restrictions; qualifications and criteria for prior authorization review and appeals personnel; prior authorization process for non-urgent and urgent health care services, including the time frame by which utilization review entities must render a decision; adverse determination and appeal processes; prohibition of prior authorization for emergency health care services and medication for opioid use disorder; payments to health care providers; length and duration of prior authorizations; and exemptions for certain health care providers. Requires health insurers to utilize NCPDP SCRIPT Standard electronic prior authorization transactions by 1/1/2026. Requires utilization review entities to submit annual reports to the Insurance Commissioner each year. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules by 1/1/2026.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation or appropriate county department when disposing of a deceased cat or dog from a public roadway to scan the animal for a microchip, record certain information, and report that information to the appropriate county animal services or animal service contractors. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a general excise tax exemption for the gross proceeds or income from the manufacture, production, packaging, and sale of diapers. Establishes a surcharge on the general excise tax and use tax for the sale or use of luxury cars.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO AGE VERIFICATION FOR APP DEVELOPERS AND APP STORES ACT.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires app store providers to determine the age category for each of their users in the State and verify their age; provide a mechanism for parents to block minors from downloading unsuitable apps; and obtain parental consent before allowing a minor to use their app store or download and purchase apps. Requires certain app store providers to provide parents with a mechanism to set filters and usage limits for minors. Requires certain app store providers to display age ratings and content description for each app available in their app store. Establishes age verification and parental consent requirements for certain app developers. Establishes violations as unfair or deceptive act or practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules no later than 7/1/2026.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN SCHOOLS.

Requires each public school to implement a policy to prohibit students from using cellular phones and other wireless communication devices during school hours, subject to exceptions for education, health, and emergencies.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Amends provisions relating to the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit. Increases the percentage of the qualified production costs that can be claimed by a qualified production company in different counties. Clarifies the distribution requirements of the tax credit. Increases the cap amount and aggregate cap amount of the tax credit.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS.

Clarifies the level of environmental restoration that owners and operators of underground storage tanks or tank systems must satisfy in the event of a confirmed release of jet fuel. Specifies the restoration condition and quality acceptable by the Department of Health shall include the complete removal of all jet fuel, including jet fuel additives and all compounds resulting from the degradation of jet fuel or jet fuel additives, or the reaction of jet fuel or jet fuel additives with water or other chemicals. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that any detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release.

LA CHICA

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires suppliers of water in the State to adjust the level of fluoride in its public water system in conformance with a standard published by the Board of Water Supply of each county until the issuance of a proclamation by the Governor declaring the date on which all residents of the State have either obtained or affirmatively rejected dental insurance coverage and provide a certified copy to the Revisor of Statutes. Requires the Department of Health to provide suppliers of water with technical assistance and training and submit annual status reports to the Legislature regarding the public water systems' status of compliance with the fluoride adjustment requirement. Allows the Department of Health to reimburse suppliers of water for necessary expenses incurred for compliance. Requires the Department of Health to monitor dental insurance coverage of the State's residents, submit annual status reports to the Legislature, and upon confirmation that all residents of the State have either obtained or affirmatively rejected dental insurance coverage, submit a written verification to the Governor. Requires the Governor to issue a proclamation. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FORECLOSURES.

Clarifies the limitation of actions to recover debts related to notes and mortgage notes shall be six years. Prohibits creditors from pursuing deficiency judgments against residential property owners upon completion of a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO ADULT CONTENT.

Requires adult content providers and adult content consumers to register with the Department of Accounting and General Services. Requires the collection of registration fees from adult content providers. Requires adult content providers to charge mandatory subscription fees to adult content consumers. Imposes monetary penalties for noncompliance. Deposits moneys collected into the domestic violence and sexual assault special fund.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes a high school law enforcement curriculum-to-career pipeline initiative. Appropriates funds to develop and implement the program.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO LAND LEASES.

Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to repeal, revoke, or buy out the remainder of the lease of the real property under the Prince Kuhio Plaza, in Hilo, Hawaii, and resell that lease at fair market value to a new entity that agrees to properly maintain the plaza.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO FOSTER CARE.

Prohibits the Department of Human Services from using any social security income payments, including supplemental income payments it receives on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department to cover the cost of foster care services. Requires the Department of Human Services to deposit all social security income payments received on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department into a savings account that shall be made accessible to the child when the child leaves foster care custody.

LA CHICA

RELATING TO NUISANCE ABATEMENT.

Offers rights and protections to citizens who bring civil nuisance abatement suits related to illegal gambling. Imposes a mandatory fine of $5,000 for violating nuisance abatement laws related to gambling offenses.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Establishes and appropriates moneys for a return-to-home program within the Department of Human Services to provide travel expenses and relocation assistance for eligible persons who wish to return to their home states. Requires the Department to develop and implement a public information campaign related to the State's residency requirements and return-to-home program.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO CLEAN AND SOBER HOMES.

Requires a county conditional use permit for clean and sober homes with 5 or more residents. Requires registration of all clean and sober homes on registry maintained by the Department of Health. Requires DOH to conduct unannounced inspections of clean and sober homes on at least an annual basis.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO PARENTAGE.

Repeals the Uniform Parentage Act of 1973 and updates laws relating to parentage, including enacting portions of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN REMAINS.

Requires any funeral establishment, mortuary, cemetery, crematory, or hydrolysis facility to dispose of the remains of a dead human body no later than sixty days from the date a burial-transit permit has been issued or from the date of an affidavit for amendment of the permit has been submitted. Specifies that the Department of Health is not required to include specific disposition dates on the permit.

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires housing projects developed pursuant to section 201H-38, HRS, to be located within county-designated transit-oriented zones.

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AUDIBLE VEHICLE REVERSE WARNING SYSTEMS.

Requires the use of current audible reverse warning systems (back-up beepers) on state and county-owned vehicles purchased on or after 1/1/2028, with more effective broadband reversing alarms by 1/1/2028.

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Establishes new requirements for identifying certain top contributors for election campaign purposes. Prohibits structuring, assisting in structuring, or attempting to structure or assist in structuring any solicitation, contribution, expenditure, disbursement, or other transactions. Establishes additional penalties regarding campaign finance violations. Adds and amends various definitions for purposes of campaign finances. Amends reporting requirements for schedules filed for noncandidate committee reports. Repeals certain required information for noncandidate committees making only independent expenditures for late contribution reports. Expands information required for a noncandidate committee that makes independent expenditures of more than $500. Increases the aggregate amount that triggers when a person is required to file a statement of information. Repeals an authorization for a nonprofit organization operating as a noncandidate committee to use a donation for certain expenditures. Requires certain noncandidate committees to maintain transfer records. Requires certain information to be reported to a noncandidate committee. Repeals the requirement to identify certain top contributors.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO GARDEN.

Authorizes the cultivation of vegetable gardens on properties within planned community associations and condominiums. Prohibits planned community associations and condominiums from prohibiting or restricting the cultivation of vegetable gardens via their association documents.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO SOCIAL GAMING.

Authorizes a 10-year renewable license for a social gaming facility in a special district designated for tourism. Allows admission and participation for adults. Non-residents shall be required to apply for guest membership. Establishes the Hawaii social gaming control commission to monitor and measure operational activities as well as collect and distribute tax revenue from social game operations. Imposes a consumption tax on every hand and every contest. Uses revenue for housing developments for currently houseless Native Hawaiian residents.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

Establishes a basic housing allowance for legislators whose legal residence is on an island other than the island of Oahu during session. Appropriates funds.

Terez AmatoDemocrat