Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO VACANCIES.

Amends the processes for addressing party candidate and state senator vacancies.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Adjusts and requests appropriations for fiscal biennium 2025-2027 funding requirements for operations and capital improvement projects of Executive Branch agencies and programs.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Repeals on 6/30/2026 the provision prohibiting counties from requiring the installation or retrofitting of automatic fire sprinklers or automatic fire sprinkler systems in certain new or existing detached residential one- and two-family dwelling units and non-residential agricultural and aquacultural buildings and structures.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Prohibits the use of consumer fireworks except, by permit, for cultural use. Repeals portions of section 132D-3(1), HRS, that generally allow the use of consumer fireworks without a permit on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July. Specifies that no fireworks shall be sold to a permittee holding a permit issued for purposes of cultural use more than 5 calendar days before the applicable cultural use. Makes technical amendments to definitions of "consumer fireworks" and "cultural" within fireworks law.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Appropriates moneys to support the State's gun buyback program, including at least two gun buyback events in each county. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

Appropriates funds to the Judiciary for the enforcement of gun violence protective orders. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct public awareness campaigns on gun violence protective orders.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO OPIOID USE DISORDER TREATMENT.

Authorizes licensed paramedics in a county with a population of 100,000 or less to administer buprenorphine after administration of an opioid antagonist in cases of opioid overdoses, under certain conditions. Requires the Department of Health to implement a two-year phased pilot program beginning in one county with a population of 100,000 or less and authorizes expansion of the program statewide as additional treatment resources become available. Requires a report to the Legislature evaluating program outcomes. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Provides a temporary income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a cesspool to a septic system or an aerobic treatment unit system or connecting to a sewer system. Permits the Department of Health, as a pilot program, to certify no more than two residential large capacity cesspools. Applies to taxable years after 12/31/2027. Sunsets 12/31/2032.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Appropriates general funds into and out of the water pollution control revolving fund to provide additional low-interest loans for eligible projects.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Enacts, and authorizes the Governor to enter into, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

Repeals law that provides that all local ordinances or regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices are preempted and that existing local laws and regulations conflicting with the state law on smoking are null and void. Clarifies that counties retain the authority to adopt ordinances that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices, as long as the ordinances do not conflict with and are more stringent than the state law on smoking.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Repeals the sunset provision in Act 45, SLH 2024, related to the counties' authorization to develop, construct, finance, refinance, or otherwise provide mixed-use developments.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Repeals language prohibiting county legislative bodies from imposing stricter conditions or other requirements on certain housing projects of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Adds new preferences for state and county employees to the eligibility criteria for housing development programs administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Clarifies the Corporation's authority to adopt rules and determine the order of applicant preferences.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY.

Exempts, under certain circumstances, parties alleging domestic abuse from participating in mediation during paternity or divorce proceedings.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Establishes the Homeless Services Special Fund. Allows counties to apply for matching funds from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund for certain housing projects. Increases the conveyance tax rates for certain properties. Establishes conveyance tax rates for multifamily residential properties. Establishes new exemptions to the conveyance tax. Allocates collected conveyance taxes to the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund, Homeless Services Special Fund, and Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Amends allocations to the Land Conservation Fund and Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Authorizes each county that has established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015 to extend the surcharge until 12/31/2045 at the same rates if the county does so before 1/1/2028. Provides that no county surcharge on state tax authorized for a county that has not established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015, shall be levied before 1/1/2019 or after 12/31/2045. Repeals certain conditions on the use of surcharges received from the State for counties having a population equal to or less than 500,000 that adopt a county surcharge on state tax.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Establishes a gradient penalty structure for the offense of hindering prosecution in the first degree, based on the level of offense hindered. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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 ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

Includes recklessly causing serious or substantial bodily injury to a law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of duty as the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree. Increases penalties for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HABITUAL VIOLENT CRIME.

Amends Act 213, SLH 2024, by repealing its sunset date and requiring the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit a one-time report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2031. Requires the Department of the Attorney General, in consultation with the Criminal Justice Research Institute, to submit ongoing annual reports to the Legislature. (SD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES.

Exempts emergency medical services personnel from commercial driver's license requirements. Requires federal, state, and county firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and law enforcement officers to maintain proof of successful completion of agency-approved or other state-approved training on authorized emergency vehicles. Amends the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" under the State Traffic Code to replace ambulances with emergency medical services vehicles. Expands the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" to include disaster response and recovery vehicles and Department of Health vehicles. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL SERVICE EXEMPTION OF COUNTY POSITIONS.

Exempts positions of a county Housing and Community Development Office or Department from civil service laws.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

Appropriates moneys as a grant-in-aid to the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Information Technology to upgrade the driver's license and motor vehicle application systems.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Housing and Land Management and Department of Design and Construction of the City and County of Honolulu as grants-in-aid to comply with the requirements of Act 206, SLH 2017, and Act 210, SLH 2018. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Reestablishes the cesspool upgrade, conversion, or connection income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRANTS.

Authorizes the rehiring of retirants for positions that are unique and critical to operations. Limits the duration of each retirant's reemployment to four years. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSING.

Requires that state and county firefighters exempt from commercial driver licensure be subject to an alcohol and substance abuse policy for employees that is equivalent to, or exceeds the provisions of, the safety and health standards established by the United States Department of Transportation for holders of commercial driver's licenses.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Increases the expenditure limit and the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all elective offices. Adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying contributions certain candidates must receive to participate in the program. Increases the matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions. Appropriates funds for the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Establishes a framework for the use of intelligent speed assistance technology for habitual speeders. Clarifies liability for a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer regarding the design, manufacture, installation, repair, or update of an active intelligent speed assistance system. Allows probation for persons who are charged with excessive speeding. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning no later than the 2028-2029 school year, requires the Department of Education to administer a dyslexia-sensitive universal screening to all students in kindergarten through grade three. Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, requires certain employees of public schools to have an opportunity to participate in training on literacy instruction. Requires a report to the Legislature and Board of Education before the 2031-2032 school year. Appropriates funds.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

For taxable years beginning 1/1/2026, establishes a tiered nonrefundable tax credit for qualified taxpayer insurers that offer one or more federally qualified health savings account-eligible high deductible health plans in the State, under certain conditions, and increasing the tax credit to incentivize more plans being written for residents in rural medically underserved areas of the State. Requires qualified taxpayer insurers to match up to a certain amount of a policyholder's first-time contribution into a health savings account. Sunsets 12/31/2030. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Requires licensure for individuals managing common interest community associations for compensation. Clarifies that common interest community association manager licensure is distinct from real estate licensure. Establishes the qualifications, continuing education, and standards of conduct required for common interest community association manager licensure. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to administer licensure of common interest community association managers. Clarifies exemptions for licensure requirements. Appropriates funds.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

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 ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Excludes from the definition of "development", as it applies to special management areas, the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of an electric vehicle charging system as a minor structure. Includes the Public Utilities Commission in the development and implementation of plans to meet the long-term goals for zero-emissions transportation in the State. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes a State goal to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Beginning 7/1/2027, requires the design of all new state building construction that includes parking to ensure that at least ten per cent of parking stalls are electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Transportation, and all other state agencies that own or manage state facilities that include parking, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to assess the costs of, and install, retrofits and electric vehicle charging system at high priority state facilities. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CHARITABLE SOLICITATION.

Establishes prompt payment and financial reporting requirements for professional solicitors that sell donated or collected non-perishable tangible property on behalf of charitable organizations. Prohibits professional solicitors that sell donated or collected non-perishable tangible property from failing to prominently disclose certain information on any collection bin, container, or receptacle used to receive donated or collected property; comply with prompt payment and financial reporting requirements; and include certain terms in contracts with charitable organizations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FIFTEENTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 15th senatorial district.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL INTERFERENCE WITH CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY RIGHTS.

Establishes a civil cause of action for interference with constitutional and statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion. Authorizes private rights of action. Authorizes actions to be brought by the Attorney General, County Corporation Counsel, or County Attorney. Authorizes injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and certain monetary relief. Includes protections for constitutionally protected speech. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires quarterly rather than annual reporting of all use of restricted use pesticides. Amends the contents of reports to include specific geospatial data and information and increased detail on the amount of restricted use pesticides used. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CENTRALIZED ACCESS TO RESOURCES.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop, implement, and maintain a centralized resource website to connect residents to support and resources to address affordability, health, safety, and the impacts of climate change.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL GAINS.

Taxes capital gains income at the same rate as ordinary income.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PURCHASE OF SERVICE CONTRACTS BY THE JUDICIARY.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires contracts for services awarded to community-based organizations by the Judiciary in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State to include certain protections against inflation. Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to increase the contract price in existing contracts for certain services provided by community-based organizations in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Amends the definition of "historic property" to require that the property meets the criteria for inclusion in the Hawaii Register of Historic Places or has important value to Native Hawaiians or other ethnic groups of the State due to associations with cultural practices once carried out, or still carried out, at the property or associations with traditional beliefs, events, or oral accounts that are important to history, traditional practices, and cultural identity.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ATTACHMENT AND EXECUTION OF REAL PROPERTY.

Increases the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

Establishes that fines for pedestrian violations under chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not exceed $25. Requires state and county agencies to revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to comply with the monetary limit.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

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