Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the State Building Code Council to provide annual training to state and county permitting agency employees. Appropriates funds for the training, subject to a matching funds requirement from the counties.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO LOBBYIST CONTRIBUTIONS.

Clarifies administrative oversight of statutory restrictions relating to prohibited lobbyist contributions. Clarifies that the regular or special sessions in which lobbyist contributions are prohibited are periods during which both houses of the legislature are in session.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PERMITTING.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a permitting workforce pipeline in partnership with the University of Hawaii and community colleges and coordinate with state and county permitting agencies on certain tasks related to classification levels, salary and benefits, hiring, and responsibilities of employees. Appropriates funds.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY.

Includes the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office as a member of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Ensures that the State's zero emissions clean economy aspirational target encourages both local and global sequestration. Requires each state agency to review the impacts of its internal plans as they relate to the purpose and goals of the Commission. Requires HSEO to submit summary reports to the Governor and Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires each county to implement fare-free access to its public transportation systems. Establishes the Fare-Free Public Transportation Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax on petroleum products to fund fare-free public transportation.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes geological subsurface characterization activities conducted by a public research institution under certain conditions. Clarifies that boreholes or test holes drilled for the purposes of geological subsurface characterization are distinct from water well exploration and geothermal or mineral exploration. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to designate the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center of the University of Hawaii, or a successor entity, as the repository for data collected from any geological subsurface characterization activity. Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to designate a repository or be the repository for any scientific data collected from any geological subsurface characterization activity on lands it holds in trust. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the University of Hawaii to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules related to hazardous waste and hazardous waste management for consistency with federal regulations to specify that certain waste products generated by geological subsurface characterization activity are exempt from hazardous waste management requirements. Requires that the first site where a borehole or test hole is drilled shall be on lands owned by DHHL. Establishes the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center within the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology of UH Manoa. Appropriates funds.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE RENTAL INDUSTRY.

Repeals the definition of "vehicle license recovery fees". Limits to vehicle license and registration fees and weight taxes the fees and taxes that a motor vehicle lessor may pass on to a lessee. Amends the prorated amount of vehicle license and registration fees and weight taxes that a motor vehicle lessor may pass on to a lessee. Repeals the requirement that rental car companies submit annual audits to the Office of Consumer Protection of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO LOBBYING.

Establishes certain presumptions regarding testimony when provided by a lobbyist. Makes certain contracts voidable when entered into in violation of the state lobbying law. Expands the definition of "lobbying" in the state lobbying law to include certain communications with high-level government officials regarding procurement decisions.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION FUNDING.

Requires the Committee on Weights to develop recommendations for a weighted student formula that achieves resource parity between public schools and independent schools of the State. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to contract with one or more organizations specializing in domestic violence to provide training and on-site staff in Child Welfare Services Branch offices to support all aspects of screening for and addressing domestic violence within a case.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

For policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2026, requires insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for standard fertility preservation services for persons undergoing medically necessary treatment that may cause iatrogenic infertility.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL IDENTIFICATION.

Lowers the age to obtain a state civil identification card without a signature from a parent or guardian from eighteen years old to sixteen years old.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO GAMBLING.

Provides that a defendant may not assert social gambling as an affirmative defense if the gambling activity occurred at the defendant's residence and gambling activities have resulted in multiple recent documented noise complaints.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts from the general excise tax, the gross process or income from the sale of groceries purchased by persons 65 years old and older.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Increases the rooftop solar tax credit to forty five per cent for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025 through December 31, 2030. Establishes the Direct Solar Rebate Program to be administered by the Hawaii State Energy Office for low‑ and moderate-income households. Streamlines rooftop solar permitting and requires the counties to develop electronic application systems. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to enhance workforce development and coordinate with county permitting agencies. Authorizes the adoption of interim rules. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Amends the program scope of the grant authorized for Hawaii Foodbank, Inc. by Act 250, SLH 2025, pursuant to chapter 42F, HRS. Authorizes the grant moneys to be used for plans, design, and construction for a new facility.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS.

Restricts commercial helicopter tour operations over sensitive areas designated by the Department of Transportation through public process. Requires the Department of Transportation to enforce restrictions through a permit process, flight tracking, noise monitoring, complaint investigation, and the issuance of a civil penalty for each violation. Requires an annual report to the Legislature by the Department of Transportation.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO TIME LIMITATIONS FOR CRIMES.

Adds sexual assault in the third and fourth degrees to the list of offenses which are not subject to a time limitation for prosecution.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO BUILDING CODES.

Requires all single family residences and apartment buildings built after 1/1/2027 include a safe room that can withstand winds of two hundred miles per hour or higher. Requires single‑family residences and apartment buildings built after 1/1/2027 be built to withstand Category 3 hurricanes when located in an area with winds of one hundred thirty miles per hour and a Category 5 hurricane when located in an area with winds of one hundred forty miles per hour or higher.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO FEE TRANSPARENCY.

Restricts transfer fees relating to sale or transfer of ownership charged by condominium associations and planned community associations. Requires associations to disclose certain estimated withholdings and pass-through charges.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

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 IMMIGRATION.

Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to notify an individual in the custody of a state or county law enforcement agency of their rights before any interview with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement pertaining to certain matters regarding civil immigration violations can commence. Designates all records relating to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to detained individuals provided by a state or local law enforcement agency as public records. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies that have provided the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to a detained individual within the previous year to hold two public forums per year.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO VISAS.

Establishes uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U and T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas. Requires each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U and T visa certifications, consistent with those statewide requirements. Appropriate funds for the Department of the Attorney General to provide training to state and county certifying entities so that the policies and processes comply with all federal requirements. Appropriates funds to the Department of the Attorney General for the training.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, QUEER, PLUS COMMISSION.

Expands the membership of the Hawaii State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Commission from eight voting members to eleven.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Amends the existing prohibition on conversion therapy by prohibiting the practice on persons of all ages and the advertisement of such practice. Explicitly provides that talk therapy in the form of pure speech is exempt from the prohibition on conversion therapy. Takes effect upon the certification by the Attorney General that the Supreme Court of the United States has overturned the holding in Chiles v. Salazar, 116 F.4th 1178 (10th Cir. 2024).

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Expands the protections established under Act 2, SLH 2023, to include gender-affirming health care services, including clarifying permitted disclosures of protected health information to address changes in federal regulations. Establishes protections against abusive litigation. Prohibits medical malpractice insurers and health carriers from taking certain adverse actions against health care providers solely on the basis that the health care provider provides lawful reproductive health care services or gender-affirming care services.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO DEMENTIA.

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, fire chiefs, Law Enforcement Standards Board, and Department of Health to provide or require the provision of at least 1 hour of dementia‑specific training for first responders, including law enforcement officers, fire first responders, and emergency medical services personnel. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to review and recommend dementia-specific training curricula that address the recognition and signs of Alzheimer's disease and related types of dementia.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes within the Department of Health the KupunAloha program to provide in-home health care and support services to eligible participants who do not otherwise qualify for government assistance for these services. Appropriates moneys for the program.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. The tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO HEARING LOSS.

Requires the Department of Health to develop and publish a state plan on hearing loss. Requires reports to the Legislature prior to the 2027 and 2028 Regular Sessions.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SPECIAL FUND.

Amends the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund by authorizing the deposit of revenues from billable emergency medical services. Amends the composition, allowable uses, and establishes a cap on the special fund.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PHARMACY.

Establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts. Establishes the pharmacist workforce assessment fee. Appropriates funds.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings for certain persons. Requires coverage for all colorectal cancer screenings in the State to be consistent with the Affordable Care Act Implementation Frequently Asked Questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ASSISTED COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

Authorizes registered nurses and qualified paramedics licensed by the State to administer medication as part of an assisted community treatment order's treatment plan to the subject of the order, under certain circumstances.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO OPIOID ANTAGONISTS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations that issue policies, contracts, plans, or agreements that provide prescription drug coverage to provide coverage for at least one generic opioid antagonist and device.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO VITAL STATISTICS.

Amends the various requirements in the event of a fetal death, including registration of certain fetal deaths, filing and preparation of a certificate of fetal death, and issuance of a permit for removal, burial, or other disposition.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SERVICE ANIMALS.

Requires sellers or providers of emotional support animals, as well as those issuing verifications of a disability-related need for an emotional support animal, to provide written notice of certain laws relating to emotional support animals. Requires persons or businesses that sell or provide certificates, vests, or identification tags that identify an animal as an emotional support animal to provide to the buyer or recipient written notice of certain laws relating to emotional support animals. Establishes penalties.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Prohibits the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns. Establishes mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in the commission of a felony.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Provides that people who are blind or deaf are eligible to apply for and receive a disabled paid parking permit.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO REPAIR.

Establishes a right to repair for wheelchairs.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

Authorizes the inclusion of language addressing individualized accommodations and supports during emergency situations and evacuations in individualized education programs for students with disabilities. Requires support and guidance from the Department of Education.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

Establishes the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate or private images as a criminal offense. Amends the criteria for an extended term of imprisonment to include an offender whose act of attempting to commit or committing the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate or private images against a minor or vulnerable adult resulted in the victim's death.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY.

Establishes an exemption from mediation in parentage proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Enables condominium associations of twenty or fewer units to determine by vote at the association's annual meeting not to undertake a reserve study review.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Modifies quorum requirements and repeals condominium association board election proxy voting. Authorizes the Real Estate Commission to take certain actions in response to alleged or actual violations of rules or laws relating to condominium association board elections. Imposes certain duties and obligations on condominium association directors concerning election processes. Clarifies the conditions for a valid condominium association board election. Substitutes certain requirements for written affidavits with requirements for written certification in relation to access to association documents.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits digital navigation applications from providing an alert, indication, or other type of notice to users of the presence of law enforcement personnel or a law enforcement operation at any specific location.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRANTS.

Establishes a 5-year pilot program to authorize the Department of Education to rehire retired teachers and educational officers for hard-to-staff positions.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat