Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO COMMUNITY CO-MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources and community-based organizations to enter into community co-management agreements concerning state lands by direct negotiation without recourse to public auction. Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to dispose of state land through community co-management agreements. Establishes qualifications for community-based organizations that may enter into community co-management agreements. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

Establishes a Wastewater Technical Advisory Group to assist the Department of Health in a review of the Department's administrative rules and practices regarding wastewater systems and cesspools and in the development of proposed changes to make cesspool conversions more affordable. Requires report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for positions and hiring of a consultant to assist the Wastewater Technical Advisory Group.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Beginning 7/1/2027, prohibits counties from imposing minimum parking mandates for certain developments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Prohibits foreign nationals, foreign corporations, and foreign-influenced business entities from making contributions, expenditures, electioneering communications, or donations for election purposes. Requires every for-profit business entity that contributes or expends funds in a state election to certify that the entity was not a foreign corporation or foreign-influenced business entity when the contribution or expenditure was made. Specifies that if the conditions that determine whether a business entity qualifies as a foreign‑influenced business entity are held unconstitutional by a final judgment, including all appeals, the Campaign Spending Commission is required to establish revised conditions that are constitutional. Requires noncandidate committees making only independent expenditures to obtain a statement of certification from each top contributor required to be listed in an advertisement avowing that no funds were derived from foreign nationals, foreign corporations, or foreign-influenced business entities. Exempts entities engaged in transporting cargo and subject to section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Establishes the offense of criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property, punishable as a misdemeanor. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND GRANTS.

Prohibits the acquisition of state land involving moneys from the Land Conservation Fund by a nonprofit organization without prior approval of the Legislature.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PALI LANES.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to acquire by eminent domain the fee simple interest in the Pali Lanes property. Appropriates funds for the just compensation of the acquisition of the fee simple interest in the Pali Lanes property by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION.

Authorizes the Land Use Commission to amend, revise, or modify a decision and order granting a district boundary amendment, or fine a petitioner, upon finding that a petitioner or its successors or assigns have not adhered to the conditions imposed by the Commission, regardless of whether there has been substantial commencement of use of the land. Defines "substantial commencement". Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION.

Beginning 7/1/2027, establishes outdoor light fixture requirements throughout the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HABITAT CONSERVATION PLANS.

Requires any operator of a golf course in the State to consult with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to apply for an incidental take license and enter into a habitat conservation plan. Requires any existing habitat conservation plan that does not include an agreement for emergency medical and rehabilitation services to affected native wildlife to be amended to include the agreement, and the amended rights and obligations under the habitat conservation plan to be recorded by a certain deadline.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Renames the Electric Bicycle and Electric Moped Rebate Program to the Electric Mobility Rebate Program. Expands eligibility and amends the maximum rebate amounts. Allows for the registration of class 3 electric bicycles that have wheels smaller than twenty inches and that are intended for adult use. Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines "electric micro-mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro-mobility devices. Prohibits a person under the age of sixteen from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Authorizes a person under the age of fourteen to operate class 2 electric bicycles under supervision. Prohibits a person from riding a class 3 electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Authorizes a person to ride a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes. Changes the term "motor scooter" to "motor‑driven vehicle".

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Amends the administrative process at the Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office. Establishes a tiered administration revocation period of a driver's license for those arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Clarifies that persons whose driver's licenses have been revoked for certain alcohol-related offenses are required to undergo reexamination before the examiner of drivers may relicense the person. Requires a notice and order of administrative revocation to include certain information. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

Specifies that the driver of a vehicle must wait until a pedestrian has crossed half of the crosswalk plus an additional lane of the roadway before the driver can proceed.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Human Resources Development to offer fully subsidized public transit passes for state employees. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

Establishes a two-year Keiki Fare-Free Transit Pilot Program on Oahu and Kauai. Appropriates funds.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes a Zero-Emissions Rideshare Rebate Program to be administered by the Department of Transportation. Establishes a rideshare fee. Establishes the Zero-Emissions Rideshare Subaccount within the Highway Development Special Fund.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Prohibits the harvesting of aquatic life for commercial aquarium purposes, regardless of the method of collection.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS.

Removes historic sites and the Waikiki special district from the requirement for environmental assessments under section 343-5, HRS.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Prohibits an employer from discriminating against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment based on the person's status as a medical cannabis registry card holder or lawful use of medical cannabis, under certain conditions. Authorizes an employer to use a fit-for-duty test for medical cannabis qualifying patients in potentially dangerous occupations under certain conditions. Prohibits a professional or vocational licensing board from revoking the license of medical cannabis qualifying patients, or otherwise subjecting them to discipline, for their lawful use of medical cannabis, under certain conditions.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO A CLEAN FUEL STANDARD.

Requires the Department of Transportation to adopt rules by 1/1/2028 governing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Requires reporting and public informational session requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in the name of the people of the State as parens patriae against any responsible party to recover certain costs or obtain certain relief, including costs and losses incurred by the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or other state entities, resulting from climate attributable harm or costs for risk of future climate attributable harm. Authorizes the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or any private insurer licensed in the State to bring a civil cause of action against a responsible party to recover its costs and losses resulting from climate attributable harm. Establishes the Climate Disaster Special Fund to collect and disperse funds collected from certain civil actions to be distributed in a certain order of priority. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Requires operators of conversational artificial intelligence services in the State to issue certain disclosures to account holders and users. Requires operators to develop protocols to prevent the production of suicidal ideations in account holders and users. Establishes protections for account holders and users of conversational artificial intelligence services. Establishes protections for minor account holders and users of conversational artificial intelligence services. Beginning 1/1/2028, requires operators to submit annual reports to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs containing certain information. Allows the Department of the Attorney General and Office of Consumer Protection to bring a civil action against operators who violate certain requirements. Establishes that violations are to be considered unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE PLANNING ACT.

Establishes green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects in the Hawaii State Planning Act to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. Adds a definition of "green infrastructure". Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to submit a report to the Legislature making recommendations for implementing green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Defines "portable solar generation device" and establishes certain requirements for their regulation and use. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an online registration system. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code and authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Establishes factors the CWRM must consider when determining the amount of the penalty. Increases maximum fines, for violations that cause harm, every five years from 2030 to 2045.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to establish a Community Action Center in Chinatown. Expenditure contingent upon the City and County of Honolulu providing matching funds. Appropriation.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Requires any petitioner for a district boundary amendment to obtain certification from the Commission on Water Resources Management that enough water is available for the project needs without causing harm to the relevant aquifers and provide that certification to the Land Use Commission.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURE AND ARTS.

Establishes the Office of Community Culture and Innovation within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes only. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for an Executive Director position and Specialist position within the Office of Community Culture and Innovation. Establishes the Community and Cultural Partnerships Program. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Amends Act 289, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, to replace the Senior Residence at Iwilei parcel with the Westridge parcel, change the transfer date for the Alii Tower parcel to 12/31/2026, changes the deadline for approval by the City and County of Honolulu to 12/31/2027, and changes the repeal date to 1/1/2028.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY EQUITY.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish residential electricity rate structures that prioritize affordability and equity. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a lifeline baseline performance standard, a medical essential needs energy program, and a new tariff. Requires electric utilities to file revised tariffs no later than twelve months after the Public Utilities Commission has issued a final decision and order under this Act. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to convene a stakeholder process for developing and implementing this Act.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL ENDANGERMENT.

Allows law enforcement officers, animal control officers, and firefighters to enter an unattended vehicle to protect the health, safety, or well-being of a pet animal that is endangered by being left or confined in an unattended vehicle. Allows private citizens to rescue a pet animal that has been left in an unattended vehicle under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident's unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions. Prohibits pet animals from being at-large on public housing premises. Provides that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent. Allows the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL IMPORTATION.

Requires, as a condition of entry into the State, documentation verifying that any dog or cat imported into the State has been surgically sterilized, subject to certain exemptions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to forward declarations of intact animal importation to appropriate county animal control agencies or contractors. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PET ANIMALS.

Prohibits insurers from refusing to issue or renew, canceling, restricting, otherwise terminating, or charging higher rates for a commercial general liability insurance policy, homeowners insurance policy, renters insurance policy, or dwelling fire policy based on the breed of any dog that is kept on the insured premises.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

Increases the fines for taking or harassing protected turtles in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PERSONAL INFORMATION.

Prohibits government entities from making personal information publicly accessible through a publicly accessible information system or publicly accessible source of information, except under certain conditions. Allows individuals who reasonably believe their personal information is publicly accessible through a government entity's publicly accessible information system or publicly accessible source of information to submit a written notice to the entity to require corrective action. Establishes a cause of action to compel compliance. Establishes statutory penalties for intentional noncompliance. Requires government entities to adopt and implement policies and procedures to prevent personal information from being publicly accessible. Requires government entities that own, license, maintain, use, collect, or possess personal information to implement and maintain certain reasonable security procedures and practices to protect the personal information. Requires government entities to provide notice to individuals in the case of a breach of a security system protecting personal information. Requires government entities to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVACY.

Adds definitions of "identifier" and "specified data element" and amends the definition of "personal information" for the purposes of notifying affected persons of data and security breaches under the State's data breach notification law. Includes telecommunications carriers subject to and in compliance with certain federal provisions among the businesses deemed compliant with this law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVACY.

Prohibits the sale of geolocation information and internet browser information without consent. Prohibits the sale of data collected through eavesdropping or through an application operating in the background of a device that uses the device's microphone.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for businesses to: offer, display, or advertise the price of live-ticket events or short-term lodging without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; and misrepresent any fees or charges in any offer, display, or advertisement for the sale of live-event tickets or short-term lodging.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits the sale of tickets at a price at least ten per cent more than the primary sale price charged by the primary venue ticket provider for events held in the State. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to impose fines for any violations. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPARENCY.

Requires food, beverage, and service establishments that accept tips and employ tipped employees to post signs that include certain language explaining their tip allocation practices and the contact information for the Wage Standards Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Wage and Hours Division of the United States Department of Labor. Allows DLIR to adopt rules to establish fines.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Requires each food establishment to clearly and conspicuously display, when a price is shown to a customer, the total price of that food or beverage item, including any mandatory fees a customer would incur during the purchase. Prohibits a food establishment from imposing on a customer or advertising any mandatory fees that are excessive or deceptive for any food or beverage offered by the food establishment. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURE AND ARTS.

Establishes the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to the State and serve as inspirations to others. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PREFERRED NAMES.

Requires the Department of Education to implement a process to allow students to use preferred names to strengthen inclusivity in public schools.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO SEX-BASED DISCRIMINATION.

Clarifies and strengthens the State's protections against sex-based harassment, sex discrimination, and retaliation that occur in public schools, public charter schools, or at the University of Hawaii, including discrimination based on gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, and pregnancy-related conditions. Establishes procedures for investigations and decision-making. Requires mandatory reporting by certain employees. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to conduct a comprehensive legal review. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL DEBT.

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop, implement, and administer a Medical Debt Acquisition and Forgiveness Program to acquire and forgive outstanding medical debt for residents of the State, subject to the availability of program funds. Requires a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2027. Appropriates funds subject to a matching private funds requirement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Prohibits health care facilities, health care providers, and emergency medical services from furnishing medical debt to a consumer credit reporting agency. Prohibits consumer credit reporting agencies from reporting or maintaining medical debt information in the file on a consumer.

Chris LeeDemocrat