Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes presidential preference primary elections for the 2028 election cycle. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Eliminates the home mortgage interest deduction for second homes not used as a primary residence under Hawaii income tax law. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE-FRIENDLY INSURERS.

Establishes requirements for certain insurers to address climate-related financial risk by limiting underwriting and investment in fossil fuel projects and by requiring reporting, certification, and regulatory oversight. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, in consultation with the Department of Health, to define certain terms by rule or guidance. Establishes the Climate-Friendly Insurers Special Fund. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO VOTING.

Requires the Office of Elections to include a notice to voters that a digital and print voter information guide is available. Requires the notice to be in thirty-two-point font and enclosed as a separate insert with each ballot. Requires the Office of Elections to maintain a notice on its website providing certain information about the voter information guide. Requires the Office of Elections to make the digital voter information guide available to the public no later than twenty-one days before the primary election and no later than fifty days before the general election. Appropriates funds. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Requires a candidate or any individual authorized to receive contributions on behalf of a candidate or noncandidate committee to deposit the monetary contribution or other campaign funds into a depository institution within seven days of its receipt. Requires any elected official, candidate, candidate committee, or other individual required to file an organizational report who receives a contribution from a lobbyist to deposit the contribution within seven days of its receipt. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUTING.

Requires the Director of Human Resources Development, in consultation with the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission, State Energy Office, and Department of Accounting and General Services to develop a comprehensive Commuting Choice Benefit Program regardless of mode of transportation for all state employees in the executive branch and to recommend a similar program for state employees of the other branches. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TAXATION OF LIQUOR.

Increases the liquor tax and adjusts it for future inflation.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Amends forfeiture laws to require the owner of property seized in relation to a crime to be convicted of the covered offense before the property may be forfeited.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES.

Establishes the sugar-sweetened beverage fee program. Beginning 7/1/2027, imposes a 2 cent per fluid ounce fee on all sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the State and requires all distributors of sugar-sweetened beverages to register with the Department of Health. On or after 6/30/27, prohibits retailers from selling or displaying for sale any sugar-sweetened beverage acquired from a distributor that is not registered with the Department of Health. Requires management and performance audits. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes the Healthy Ohana Advisory Committee. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVATE SECTOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS.

Expands under certain circumstances the types of employees protected by the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and all individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO VOTER INFORMATION.

Requires the Office of Elections to prepare a questionnaire to which candidates may respond. Requires the Office of Elections to publish any responses provided by a candidate on its website and in the digital voter information guide no later than eighteen days before a primary election. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE INCOME TAX LIABILITY.

Increases designated income check-off amounts for the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund to $6 for taxpayers filing individual returns with $6 or more of state income tax liability and for spouses filing joint returns with $12 or more of state income tax liability.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE USE OF INTOXICANTS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE.

Lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving while under the influence of an intoxicant. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES VIII AND X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE ON RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Proposes amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution to repeal the counties' exclusive power to tax real property, and to authorize the Legislature to establish a state surcharge on real property taxes levied by the counties on certain residential investment properties, for the purpose of helping to fund public education for all of Hawaii's children and adults.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT.

Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to establish access to affordable health care as a fundamental right, subject to limitations balancing other essential public services.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION.

Exempts qualifying military veterans sixty-five years of age or older from payment of state annual motor vehicle registration fees for one noncommercial vehicle.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a surcharge on taxable income exceeding $1,000,000 to provide funding, if approved by the Legislature, for the State Medicaid Program.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ESTATE AND GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX.

Establishes an unrealized gains surcharge on certain property transfers subject to the estate and generation-skipping transfer tax. Except for certain types of properties within estates, lowers the applicable exclusion amount allowed.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate an intersection for the installation of a leading pedestrian interval and accessible pedestrian signal upon the first placement or replacement of a state-owned pedestrian signal head. Requires and authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate a certain number of existing intersections with pedestrian signal heads on an annual basis until each intersection with a pedestrian signal head showing a pedestrian crash within the last 5 years has been evaluated. Ensures that accessible pedestrian signals are installed at intersections where leading pedestrian intervals are already installed. Requires that additional safety improvements are implemented as necessary where leading pedestrian intervals and accessible pedestrian signals are installed. Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the counties, to develop a program that allows pedestrians and community members to request the installation of accessible pedestrian signals at specific intersections. Appropriates funds from the state highway fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Expands statutory provisions that provide for religious exemptions from medical examinations, immunizations, vaccinations, and revaccinations to protect parents and other persons with bona fide religious tenets and practices.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a climate literacy certificate program to provide students with an advanced understanding of climate change through academic coursework and hands-on learning.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING.

Repeals the Deposit Beverage Container Program and replaces it with the Recycling Refund Producer Responsibility Organization Program.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO RED HILL.

Appropriates funds for studies on remediation of substances released from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility; environmental monitoring and testing; research on groundwater modeling and sampling; and independent testing and verification of water data, to be published on a public dashboard. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to seek reimbursement from the United States Department of Defense. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO RECYCLING.

Establishes the mattress stewardship program. Establishes the mattress stewardship special fund.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURAL RECOGNITION.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to place historical markers acknowledging the landform on which the Hawaii Kai Towne Center is sited as Maunalua Island and to consult with the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts on the design standard of the historical markers. Requires the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to pay for any costs related to the placing of the historical markers. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE AND HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS AND BEACHES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate and healthy native ecosystems and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Allocates twenty per cent of conveyance tax revenues to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Repeals the annual cap amount on the allocation of conveyance tax revenues to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH A CONTINUOUS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

Establishes a continuous Legislature beginning in January 2031. Defines each regular session to be two calendar years. Requires the Legislature to convene on the first and third weeks of each month except for two months before a general or primary election. Repeals language regarding special sessions, adjournment, and recesses. Establishes procedures for the carry-over of bills from the first to the second year of a regular session. Establishes deadlines for certain bills to be submitted for gubernatorial consideration. Standardizes the number of days that the Governor must approve or veto a bill submitted for consideration. Repeals the Governor's ability to appoint an interim position if a vacancy occurs while the Senate is not in session. Establishes salaries of the members of the Legislature pursuant to recommendations by the Commission on Salaries submitted during the 2030 regular session, unless those recommendations are amended by law.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

Extends the effective date of restrictions on the use of restrictive housing in correctional facilities to 7/1/2027. Extends the establishment of the Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group to 8/1/2026. Extends the date that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may implement recommendations of the working group to 12/1/2028. Amends procedures for restrictive housing. Amends circumstances under which restrictive housing may be used. Repeals requirements for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to post quarterly reports on the Department's website, update its policy and procedures manual in compliance with the restrictive housing restrictions, and report to the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Repeals requirements for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to review and monitor housing placements. Repeals the requirement that the Restrictive Housing Working Group make recommendations to the Legislature by 1/1/2027.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program to be administered by the Department of Law Enforcement to provide $15,000 retention bonuses to eligible sworn law enforcement officers that have worked a minimum of two thousand hours during the preceding fiscal year, subject to collective bargaining negotiations. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Appropriates funds for the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to provide $15,000 retention bonuses to all eligible sworn law enforcement officers who meet specified requirements. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to verify eligibility. Appropriates funds for the payment of retention bonuses.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale of flavored nicotine products and nicotine product flavor enhancers and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine free. Establishes penalties for violations. Authorizes the Department of Health to appoint, commission, or contract for services of inspectors. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO DISASTER SERVICES.

Amends the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency's functions to include ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and related federal and state disability access laws by integrating the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into emergency planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. Appropriates funds to establish a Disability Integration Specialist and for programming support for disability community projects.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT EARNINGS.

Clarifies that the requirement to disclose hourly rates or salary ranges on job listings applies to full-time, part-time, temporary, or seasonal employment. Repeals the exemption for employers having fewer than fifty employees from the disclosure requirement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO DIGITAL FINANCIAL ASSET TRANSACTION KIOSKS.

Establishes limits on transactions through digital financial asset transaction kiosks. Prohibits (1) the exchanging of United States currency, in an amount greater than $100, from new customers for digital financial assets; (2) any two customers from transacting to the same digital financial asset wallet address; and (3) beginning 1/1/2030, the exchange of United States currency from customers for digital financial assets. Requires operators of digital financial asset transaction kiosks to use blockchain analytics and tracing software to prevent fraud; make certain disclosures; provide receipts to customers; provide full refunds under certain circumstances; and provide live customer service and a dedicated communications line for the Attorney General, Office of Consumer Protection, Department of Law Enforcement, and county police departments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Allows public employers and exclusive representatives of bargaining units to negotiate certain retirement benefits.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO WAREHOUSE WORKERS.

Establishes the Warehouse Worker Protection Act. Requires certain warehouse employers to provide written descriptions of quotas to employees and maintain records of quotas and employee work speed data. Protects employees from quotas that would prevent compliance with meal or rest periods or the use of bathroom facilities. Allows employees to request a written description of their quota and employee work speed data. Requires the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the Act.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for biomarker testing.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Provides annual salary step increases for public schools and public charter school teachers who have completed one year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements, if negotiated into a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 89-9, HRS, and subject to funds appropriated by the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Specifies that operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while a highly intoxicated driver is a misdemeanor for a first offense, or any offense not preceded within a ten-year period. Specifies and imposes additional sentencing and probation requirements for a person convicted of a misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant offense. Upgrades the offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while a highly intoxicated driver to a class C felony under certain conditions. Specifies and imposes additional sentencing and probation requirements for a class C felony offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while a highly intoxicated driver. Prohibits a deferred acceptance of guilty plea for persons convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Requires an employer to file a response, either accepting or objecting to a treatment plan, within seven days of receipt. Imposes a monetary penalty if an employer does not file a response within the seven-day period. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file certain documents within the seven-day period.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXES.

Excludes the sale of a motor vehicle to a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle as a sale at wholesale. Imposes the maximum allowable excise tax on the use of tangible personal property in the State for the importation or purchase of a motor vehicle by a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle. Establishes a Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund to pay a temporary hazard pay bonus to certain eligible teachers. Beginning 7/1/2026 until 7/1/2030, deposits the additional tax revenue generated by this Act into the Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free bus passes for students whose household qualifies the student for free lunch or reduced price lunch under the free and reduced price lunch program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY.

Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to establish and maintain a Registry of Agents available for public access on the Office of Consumer Protection's website. Requires an absentee owner or landlord to register any agents managing a property on the owner's or landlord's behalf with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Prohibits an absentee owner or landlord from designating a tenant as an agent. Requires members of a condominium association who live outside the State or on another island of the State from where the unit is located to provide the association's board with the contact information of a designated on-island agent for the unit, which shall be included on the address list maintained by the association. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO A GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE.

Provides a general excise tax exemption for the sale of material, parts, or tools used for aircraft service and maintenance or for the construction of an aircraft service and maintenance facility. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY EROSION MITIGATION.

Replaces the current statutory prohibition on private shoreline hardening with a policy directing the minimization of these structures. Establishes a clear, time-limited statutory framework for emergency permits within the conservation district, including defined standards for permit duration and extension.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat