Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Establishes a temporary, independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission to develop and recommend a comprehensive package of school consolidations, realignments, and closures based on the federal Base Realignment and Closure model. Requires an expedited approval process by the Governor and Legislature. Appropriates moneys.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Department of Education to give reasonable consideration to making all or portions of the facilities of a public school available to housing development for certain employees of the Department when closing the public school. Requires the Department of Education to identify unused public school facilities that may be appropriate for employee housing and inventory suitable grounds available upon public school closure for potential development of employee housing.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO VETERANS.

Repeals the 6/30/27 deadline by which the Maui State Veterans Home must be assimilated into a state agency having a Maui affiliation. Requires the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home to be completed as soon as practicable. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

Amends the definition of "development" as it pertains to coastal zone management to clarify that certain activities excluded from the definition of "development" are not subject to special management area permit requirements.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

Amends the definition of "development," as it pertains to coastal zone management, to exclude any state- or county-funded infrastructure improvement project that is exempted from an environmental assessment or determined as a finding of no significant impact under chapter 343, HRS. Applies only to zones established in Lahaina in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires that have been designated for reentry by the State or county of Maui as of January 1, 2026. Effective 7/1/2050. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish geographically based capital improvement project districts for the localized management of deferred maintenance. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Education to hire a new contractor or contractors with the Governor's approval if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days. Requires the DOE to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route without an approved justification. Specifies that the assessed penalties be deposited into the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund. Beginning 7/1/2026, requires all requests for proposals issued and contracts executed by the DOE for student transportation services to specifically reference certain new provisions. Authorizes the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. Requires quarterly reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

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 EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to develop an alternative pathway for a visiting international educator permit aligned to the duration of the educator's J-1 visa program. Repeals 6/30/2031.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HOUSING LOAN AND MORTGAGE PROGRAM.

Increases the Hula Mae Multifamily Revenue Bond authorization ceiling amount to continue financing affordable rental housing statewide. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to report to the Legislature on its plan to meet statewide housing demand at the sixty to one hundred forty per cent area median income levels. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE FINANCING.

Establishes a joint legislative Long-Term Care Financing Advisory Commission to examine the feasibility of different financing options for long-term care services and supports. Permits the Commission, through the Legislative Reference Bureau, to contract for services of a part-time project director and prepare proposals for contracts for consultants to support the work of the Commission. Requires the Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of benefits if the retirant is employed in a position identified as one needed for succession planning. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Prohibits any person from operating a motor vehicle equipped with an engine brake in certain areas. Prohibits motor vehicles that tow a vehicle or trailer from driving in the far left lane on any roadway that has three or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction in a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more, with certain exceptions. Establishes penalties.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

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 TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes an annual vehicle registration surcharge for vehicles having a hood height greater than 40 inches for deposit into the safe routes to school program special fund.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Authorizes the Disability and Communication Access Board to issue a disability parking travel placard to qualified applicants.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING.

Requires cardiovascular screening for students, including student athletes. Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to distribute educational and informational materials regarding sudden cardiac arrest. Requires the Department of Health to implement policies, programs, training, and continuing education that increase health care provider knowledge of cardiovascular screening guidelines.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies an association board’s authority with respect to calling and authorizing electronic meetings, electronic voting at electronic meetings, electronic voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL MOTOR VEHICLE SURCHARGE TAX.

Requires the rental motor vehicle surcharge tax to be prorated if the vehicle is rented or leased for fewer than six hours of a day.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Establishes a three-year Homelessness Sanctuary Pilot Program to be administered by the Coordinator on Homelessness, in coordination with the Department of Human Services and the City and County of Honolulu, on designated land for the pilot program, which shall serve as a safe location for unhoused primary caregivers and children under the age of eighteen to reside and access services. Requires the Coordinator on Homelessness and the Coordinator's partner agencies to provide certain facilities and services to the designated location. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO ADOPTIONS.

Adds the requirement that a written consent to adoption be notarized.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CERTIORARI REVIEW BY THE HAWAII SUPREME COURT.

Establishes a fixed disposition deadline requiring the Supreme Court to decide an application for certiorari within 60 days after the application is filed. Applies prospectively to cases in which the judgment or dismissal order of the Intermediate Court of Appeals was filed on or after the effective date of this Act.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE ORDERS FOR PROTECTION.

Removes the requirement that requests to withhold from public inspection the petition record of a denied temporary restraining order or denied protective order be made orally.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIFORM PROBATE CODE.

Provides for the temporary sealing of certain medical records and professional evaluations filed in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings pending a judicial determination on the need for continued sealing.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Appropriates supplemental moneys for the Judiciary for the fiscal biennium beginning 7/1/2025 and ending 6/30/2027.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AGGRAVATED CIRCUMSTANCES IN CHILD PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS.

Expands the authority of the family court in child protective proceedings to find that aggravated circumstances are present at any stage prior to the termination of parental rights, not only at the outset of the case or the return hearing. Specifies what acts of torture against a child constitute aggravated circumstances.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE DRIVERS LICENSE REVOCATION.

Authorizes administrative drivers license revocation hearings to be conducted using interactive conference technology, including teleconference, videoconference, and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) systems. Clarifies that evidence in hearings conducted via interactive conference technology may be submitted and exchanged electronically. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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 notice by electronic mail or postal mail.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

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 TRESPASS.

Prohibits persons being prosecuted for or convicted of the crime of criminal trespass on agricultural land from owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition.

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 FILM INDUSTRY.

Establishes the Hawaii Film Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and transfers the rights, powers, functions, and duties of the Hawaii Film Office to the Commission. Requires appointments and hiring of staff by 12/31/2027. Establishes the Film Industry Development Special Fund. Excludes media and film from the definition of "creative industries" and renames the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund as the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund. Amends the sources of moneys to be deposited into the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund. Allows the Creative Industries Development Special Fund to be used for the support and development of facilities and other initiatives to grow the State's creative industries. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.

Allows a defendant to introduce certain evidence to receive a reduced sentence for certain offenses if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced. Allows a defendant to introduce certain relevant evidence when raising the justification defenses of self-defense or defense of others to show that the defendant was subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse by the alleged victim. Allows the circuit court imposing a criminal sentence to correct or reduce the sentence and to suspend or probate all or any part of the sentence imposed. Allows a person previously sentenced by a circuit court to petition the court to be re-sentenced to a reduced sentence if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant was sentenced. (SD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Allows voters in a primary or special primary election to vote for any candidate for any office without regard to the voter or candidate's political party preference. Advances the top two candidates in a primary or special primary election, regardless of political party, to the general election. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services to record any child welfare interview conducted by the Department when administering certain child welfare services. Requires the Department to store the recordings for a minimum of five years and under certain conditions. Prohibits the sharing of the recordings unless certain conditions are met. Establishes criminal penalties for violating prohibitions against sharing of the recordings.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Prohibits public establishments from denying shelter to any person when an emergency alert advises the public to immediately seek shelter during the establishments' normal business hours, under certain conditions. Clarifies that remuneration or expectation of remuneration paid to owners of private property for goods or services other than emergency access to land, shelter, or subsistence, including services or incidental commodities to the emergency access, does not void the exemption from civil liability afforded to these owners except where owners increase the sale price of the service or incidental commodities.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Establishes an executive committee and amends the membership and duties of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission (Commission). Requires each member agency of the Commission to implement its own actions to address certain strategies and goals established by the Commission. Establishes reporting and review requirements for member agencies relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts and clean economy targets. Updates reporting requirements for the Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation reports. Allows the Commission to enter into certain procurement contracts. Updates the zero emissions clean economy target.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CLIMATE INSTITUTE.

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives of the University and the State. Requires six per cent of the revenue generated by any increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax rates beginning on January 1, 2026, and by assessment of the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares to be allocated to the University of Hawaii annually to support the programs and operations of the Hawaii Climate Institute. Transfers the International Pacific Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology to the Hawaii Climate Institute. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Establishes a temporary Solid Waste Management Working Group in the Office of the Governor to examine materials management policies and programs that reduce solid waste and protect the environment, and to present a list of alternative technologies to address solid waste management. Requires a report to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to contract with a third-party consultant to develop a Climate Protection Plan for delivery to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2029. Establishes a Climate Protection Advisory Committee to assist the third-party consultant. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL.

Establishes the position of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council Executive Director. Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, rather than the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, for the HISC for fiscal year 2026-2027. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Requires each lease that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity enters into, renews, or extends to include provisions stating that the Department may: (1) enter the leased premises; (2) order or otherwise require the lessee to maintain control of any invasive species on the leased premises; and (3) terminate the lease for refusal or violation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Prohibits the manufacture or sale of surfboard wax that contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Establishes a broad definition of "qualified health care provider" in numerous areas of existing law. Clarifies and standardizes references to specific health care providers. Updates outdated language to reflect correct terminology. Makes numerous clarifying and conforming amendments to support these changes, including but not limited to chapters related to health, education, insurance, professions and vocations, the pain patient's bill of rights, the Uniform Probate Code, minors, the Child Protective Act, and the Penal Code. Repeals the obsolete Hawaii Health Corps. Effective 1/30/2050. Implementation effective 7/1/2028. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Requires any disposition of more than one thousand acres of public lands to governments by the Board of Land and Natural Resources to be subject to approval by a majority vote of both houses of the Legislature. Requires the government seeking the disposition of the public land to submit for introduction to the Legislature a resolution containing certain information. Requires a copy of the draft resolution to be sent to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO DIGITAL ASSETS.

Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Financial Institutions and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to conduct a two-year study to gather data on how to establish a state-level regulatory framework for stablecoin digital assets. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Requires the Office of Consumer Protection to submit an annual report to the Legislature regarding actions taken in response to potential violations of the Residential-Landlord Tenant Code. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat