Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE LANDLORD TENANT CODE.

Establishes a three-year Residential Landlord-Tenant Code Working Group within the Judiciary. Requires an initial report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2026 and a final report no later than 7/1/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO OUT-OF-STATE OFFICES.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish an out-of-state office in the Philippines. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders and the requirements to obtain the international teacher license. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS.

Establishes the Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation to individuals in immigration-related proceedings in immigration court. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Prohibits state or county grantees, officers and immediate family members of state or county contractors, and officers and immediate family members of state or county grantees, from contributing to candidate committees and noncandidate committees for the duration of the contract. Prohibits state or county grantees from knowingly soliciting any contributions. Requires candidates, candidate committees, and noncandidate committees to return any unlawful contribution to the contributor within thirty calendar days of receipt. Provides that an unlawful contribution shall escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund if it is not returned to the contributor within thirty calendar days. Requires disclosures of the names of any owners, officers and immediate family members of a state or county contractor or grantee for contracts exceeding a certain amount. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE FOR HAWAII CONDOMINIUM PROPERTIES.

Requires property insurers to offer discounts on a condominium association's annual insurance premium if the association adopts specific risk mitigation upgrades or develops comprehensive disaster response plans. Requires property insurers of condominiums to base premium increases on actuarial justifications that reflect actual risk reduction resulting from upgraded fire safety improvements installed in conjunction with a building fire and life safety evaluation. Requires property insurers of condominiums to justify premium increases above ten per cent. Requires property insurers of condominiums to publicly report premium increases each year. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM INSURANCE.

Establishes the Hawaii Condominium Mutual Insurance Company to provide property and casualty insurance to high-rise residential condominium associations and the owners of those units. Requires reports to the Governor. Establishes the Condominium Loan Fund to assist associations of apartment owners experiencing increased insurance costs. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO MANAGING AGENTS.

Requires managing agents for residential condominium properties with more than one hundred units located in a county with a population greater than 500,000 to possess a community association manager credential from a recognized nationwide community association management industry trade group. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires insurers to provide automatic, advance written premium change notices to common interest community policyholders and the Insurance Commissioner, with reasonable explanations and primary factors, disclosing the causes of any premium increase if, upon renewal, premiums are scheduled to increase more than an unspecified per cent. Requires insurers to automatically issue a loss run report to the policyholder at the end of each policy year. Requires insurers that renewed property insurance policies between 2022 and 2024 for policyholders that were condominium associations, planned community associations, or cooperative housing corporations in the State to provide an explanation for certain premium increases during this period. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires insurers to provide advance written notice to policyholders and the Insurance Commissioner, with reasonable explanations and primary factors, of any policy cancellation, non-renewal, or proposed premium increase, if, upon renewal, premiums are scheduled to increase more than 10 per cent. Requires insurers that provide property insurance to file rate schedules and underlying criteria with the Insurance Commissioner. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct periodic reviews of insurance rates and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to establish a Public Reporting and Dispute Resolution Program to handle complaints and appeals regarding premium increases. Requires insurers to provide premium discounts or credits to policyholders that implement disaster risk mitigation measures. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO JURY DUTY.

Beginning 1/1/2027, allows an advanced practice registered nurse to claim exemption from service as a juror. Effective 12/31/2050. Sunsets 1/1/2032. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE.

Prohibits claims for refunds, reimbursements, or other payments, authorization for which is sought from the Legislature that exceed the time limitations of section 40-68, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from being claimed. Requires the Attorney General to include in the Attorney General's annual report of claims recommended for approval a total dollar amount of possible judgments against the State that have not yet settled. Requires the Attorney General's report to the Legislature describing the claims against the State to include additional information. Requires the Attorney General to submit a report every five years to the Legislature containing further incidents that occurred in an agency that led to a claim. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to establish and operate a free statewide mental health warm line to provide mental health support in non-emergency situations. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP SERVICES.

Establishes a two-year pilot program in the Probate Court and Family Court of the First Circuit to fund certain guardianship and conservatorship related court resources in situations where the respondent does not have sufficient funds to pay for one or more of the resources and the court has deemed the resource or resources beneficial. Requires the Judiciary to submit reports to the Governor and Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Repeals the requirement that the Chairperson of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board of Directors be a public member. Repeals the prohibition that certain members shall not be eligible to serve as Chairperson of the HHFDC Board of Directors. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO BEEKEEPING.

Clarifies the registration process for beekeepers with the Department of Agriculture. Requires the Department of Agriculture to provide guidance and support to registered beekeepers to help beekeepers adhere to certain industry standards and best management practices. Establishes a limitation on liability for any registered beekeeper who follows industry standards and best practices. Appropriates funds. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the Agricultural Enforcement Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL CRIMES.

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Crimes Council. Expands the duties of the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with and support the Council. Requires all moneys, revenues, and fines received and processed by the Council to be deposited into the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund. Allows moneys in the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund to be expended to cover the costs of the Council. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Adds the Chairperson of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, or the Chairperson's designee, to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board of Directors. Amends quorum requirements for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation Board of Directors.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO LIBRARIES.

Requires reasonable terms in license agreements for digital literary materials between libraries and publishers. Defines prohibited terms for license agreements between libraries and publishers. Declares offer of a license agreement with a prohibited term an unfair or deceptive act. Makes a license agreement with a prohibited term void and unconscionable. Creates a right of action by libraries, library officers and borrowers. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires rental housing projects to maintain, in perpetuity, fifty per cent of the project's units for certain low-income tenants to be eligible for assistance under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's rental assistance program.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Establishes an Audit Office within the Board of Education to audit operations and expenditures of the Department of Education. Exempts positions within the Audit Office from civil service law. Requires annual reports to the Governor and Director of Finance. Authorizes the Legislature to request a copy of the annual reports. Establishes positions within the Audit Office. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Establishes a two-year coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication pilot program in certain areas under the Department of Land and Natural Resources that incentivizes community members to collect and submit the coconut rhinoceros beetle and its larvae for compensation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Establishes within the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority the Condominium Loan Program to provide qualified condominium associations with low-cost financing or refinancing on previously obtained loans for maintenance and essential repairs. Establishes the Condominium Loan Loss Reserves Program to incentivize lenders into providing loans at competitive rates and terms for the purpose of allowing condominium associations to make necessary maintenance or repairs. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds into and out of the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Establishes an External Audit Committee within the University of Hawaii to audit the University of Hawaii System and the Board of Regents. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Requires a wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Department of Health to adopt administrative rules for the safe disposal and sequestration of sewage sludge and other residual material that contain specific amounts of PFAS. Prohibits the issuance or renewal of permits if testing yields PFAS in sewage sludge or other residual material on land used for agronomic purposes, on land where drainage tiles have been installed, on land that drains into waters of the State, or land in a five hundred-year floodplain. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL PERMITS.

Authorizes the Land Use Commission to designate another agency, including the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Department of Agriculture, or Agribusiness Development Corporation, to monitor compliance with any restrictions imposed in a special permit.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Requires counties to waive permitting fees for certain film activity. Exempts entertainment payroll companies from the GET. Repeals an income tax exemption for persons engaged in the business of motion picture and television film production for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2023. Amends the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit by providing an additional credit to qualified productions with a workforce of at least eighty percent local hires; requiring productions to contact all local labor unions servicing Hawaii's film industry to qualify for the credit; requiring qualified production costs of a taxpayer that exceed $1,000,000 to be certified by a CPA, rather than via tax opinion; increasing the aggregate cap amount on credits allowed in any given year, ramped down by one-sixth over five years beginning on 1/1/2028; and including broadcast and streaming platform productions under the credit. Applies the GET rate for manufacturers to productions. Exempts from the GET amounts received by a motion picture project employer from a client equal to amounts that are disbursed by the motion picture project employer for employee wages, salaries, payroll taxes, insurance premiums, and employment benefits and payments to loan-out companies. Repeals certain tax exemptions and the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit on 1/1/2033. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO COUNTY PERMITS.

Requires county permitting agencies to establish and fill positions exclusively to process permit applications submitted for state projects. Appropriates funds. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Restricts civil asset forfeiture to cases involving the commission of a felony offense where the property owner has been convicted of an underlying felony offense. Directs forfeiture proceeds to the general fund. Amends the allowable expenses for moneys in the Criminal Forfeiture Fund. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Amends the deadline for the Attorney General to report to the Legislature on the use of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Limits the transfer of certain forfeiture property to federal agencies. Establishes records requirements.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER REDEMPTION.

Repeals the exemptions for certain dealers of deposit beverage containers and related provisions. Requires all dealers of deposit beverage containers to operate as redemption centers. Effective 7/1/2026.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ESTATE TAX.

Amends the exclusion amount of Hawaii's estate tax. Repeals exemption for tax imposed on transfer of taxable estate located in Hawaii for nonresidents and nonresidents who are not citizens. Applicable to decedents dying or taxable transfers occurring after 12/31/2024. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve a suspension or discharge. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Expands the circumstances where the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations may waive the requirements for individuals to register to work and report to an employment office to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Authorize the Department to allow individuals to report to a location other than an employment office or other location approved pursuant to its rules. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires notices of determinations and documentation relating to appeals to be sent electronically, unless the election for mail is made. Allows an individual to change an elected withholding status more than once during a benefit year. Amends the statutory definition of "registered for work" or "registration for work". Repeals the requirement for individuals to post their work availability online to be eligible for unemployment benefits. Repeals the statutory provision for joint experience rating. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE.

Establishes the Child Welfare Task Force to develop strategies and policy changes to transform and improve the State's child welfare system. Requires support from the Department of Human Services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENTS.

Requires any appointment of a person by the Governor to serve in the Executive Branch in the position of an advisor to be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate if that person's salary is greater than $200,000, and is not paid from the Governor's budget. Requires the Governor to transmit Governor's Messages to the Senate President containing nominations for each gubernatorial appointee who was appointed to their advisor position before the effective date of this Act and whose salary is greater than $200,000, and is not paid from the Governor's budget. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund that targets workforce rental housing projects for persons and families with incomes at or below one hundred forty per cent of the area median income. Authorizes the Director of Finance to transfer funds from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund into the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Appropriates funds into and out of the Mixed-Income Subaccount of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to include in its plan of operation insurance coverage for commercial properties twice denied by private insurers. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in collaboration with state departments, to assess the potential and feasibility of developing resilience hubs that can provide emergency services and be open to the general public during times of emergency. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AN INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses paid to retrofit a residence with wind resistive devices. Requires the Department of Taxation to prepare forms. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to pre-certify claims. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Sunsets 1/1/2028. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO A CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop and publish a Hawaii climate adaptation and resilience implementation plan. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Requires a portion of the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to be deposited into the Special Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Converts two temporary Farm-to-School extension agent positions within the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience into permanent positions. Establishes an Agriculture Education Coordinator position. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO INCLUSIONARY ZONING.

Prohibits any law, ordinance, or rule from imposing an inclusionary zoning requirement on housing offered exclusively for sale or rent in perpetuity to buyers or renters who are residents of the State, are owner-occupants or renters, and do not own any other real property. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO PLANT-BASED BUILDING MATERIALS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for the establishment and operation of programs relating to the development of biocements and hemp- and bamboo-based building materials. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO VETERANS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS.

Regulates persons receiving compensation for providing advice or assistance regarding veterans benefits. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DOG BREEDERS.

Defines a "dog breeder" as any person who owns, possesses, controls, or otherwise has charge or custody of more than ten dogs over the age of twelve months with intact sexual organs, and who sells, barters, or otherwise transfers more than three litters and more than twenty-five dogs per calendar year. Requires dog breeders to meet minimum standards of care and not place certain types of dogs in the same enclosure to ensure the proper treatment and care of dogs and the dogs' offspring. Prohibits any person from owning or having custody of more than thirty dogs over one year with intact sexual organs. Requires dog breeders to maintain specific written records for each dog for a specified period. Authorizes each county to assess, implement, and enforce its own licensing system. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Authorizes certain government entities to establish a self-certification process for behind-the-meter, customer-sited solar distributed energy resource systems and exempt the systems from the Federal Emergency Management Agency No-Rise/No-Impact declaration requirements under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Requires the counties to upgrade to zero emission buses by 2045. Requires the state agencies to prioritize zero emission buses in the procurement policy for purchasing or leasing motor vehicles. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST BANA PACIFIC INC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Bana Pacific Inc. in constructing a biogas production facility. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat