Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that a partner or member of a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit issued after July 1, 2026, may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any taxpayer. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, until 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Tenant Displacement Working Group within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address tenant displacement and relocation in the State. Requires the Tenant Displacement Working Group to report to the Legislature. Appropriates Funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

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 PROCEDURES FOR TAX APPEALS.

Requires a tax to be paid before the courts may entertain a second appeal on the merits of the dispute. Requires a taxpayer who partially prevailed during the taxpayer's first appeal to pay the amount determined to be due in that first appeal, rather than the entire assessment, in order to make a subsequent appeal. Clarifies that a taxpayer who does not appeal the decision of the body reviewing the initial tax assessment by the Department of Taxation is required to pay the tax as determined by the Taxation Board of Review or Tax Appeal Court or the tax assessment by the Department of Taxation if left unmodified and unamended by the Board or Court. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PROCEDURE FOR PAYMENT UNDER PROTEST LAWSUITS.

Clarifies and adds procedural safeguards to section 40-35, HRS, which relates to payments to the State under protest. (SD1)

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 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

Extends for five years certain provisions from Act 19, SLH 2020, and Act 238, SLH 2021, relating to abuse of family or household members, including establishing a petty misdemeanor offense of abuse of family or household members, clarifying penalties for violations, and allowing a deferred acceptance of guilty plea for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of family or household members offenses. Effective 6/29/2026.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Prohibits condominium associations from charging unit owners attorneys' fees on fines unless deemed collectable. Allows a court to assess charges against a party requesting trial de novo if the requesting party fails to better its position by thirty per cent or more. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to designate certain for-sale housing units as permanently affordable. Requires the HHFDC to adopt rules to implement the Housing for Locals Forever Program. Repeals certain requirements defining a qualified resident. Removes restrictions applicable to the transfer of certain real property developed and sold under chapter 201H, HRS. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE KANEHILI COMMUNITY HALE.

Appropriate funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for the construction of the Kanehili community hale, a new access road, and a parking lot at the Kanehili homestead. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS RESEARCH.

Establishes and appropriates funds for an Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Research Center at the University of Hawaii, to be administratively affiliated with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, including the establishment of full-time positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO LOCAL PURCHASING PREFERENCE.

Gradually requires that, by 2032, 30% of the natural landscaping materials purchased by certain departments be locally sourced, meaning 50% of the wholesale value is added by manufacture, processing, production, or harvesting in the State. Applies to the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Defense, Department of Accounting and General Services, and University of Hawaii System. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO STAFFING STANDARDS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

Requires each hospital to establish a Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Committee by 9/1/2026. Requires the Staffing Committee to adopt and file a Staffing Committee Charter with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations by 1/1/2027. Requires the Department to develop a Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Plan Form by 1/1/2027. Requires each Staffing Committee to adopt and file a Staffing Plan, including minimum registered nurse staffing standards, with the Department by 7/1/2027, and annually thereafter. Requires hospitals to implement their Staffing Plan by 7/1/2027, and post the Staffing Plan and staffing schedules in publicly accessible areas. Requires Staffing Committees to receive, review, evaluate, and respond to reports and complaints regarding deviations from the Staffing Plan. Establishes a variance process allowing hospitals to temporarily deviate from their minimum registered nurse staffing standards. Establishes an enforcement framework to be administered by the Department, including review of Staffing Plans, complaint investigations, administrative appeals, and civil penalties for violations. Prohibits retaliation against certain persons who report staffing concerns or participate in enforcement proceedings. Increases the membership of the Center for Nursing Advisory Board to include three elected officers or governing board members of a labor organization representing registered nurses in the State. Requires the Center for Nursing to develop and maintain an online dashboard of staffing standards recommended by certain professional specialty organizations. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Appropriates funds.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PERSONAL INFORMATION.

Requires every government agency that maintains, uses, collects or processes the home address of a covered public servant or candidate, to ensure that their home address is not publicly accessible. Requires every government agency to redact or otherwise remove home addresses from certain websites, databases, and printed documents or publications. Authorizes an individual to request disclosure of the home address, under certain circumstances. Allows a covered public servant or candidate to object to the disclosure of their home address.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Repeals the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Establishes the Office of Tourism within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Updates Hawaii's statutory framework for adult and community education programs to ensure alignment with federal funding requirements and current best practices in those programs. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Establishes the Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator within the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Provides for the authority and duties of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator. Designates participating agencies and their duties with regard to state search and rescue operations and training. Establishes the Search and Rescue Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires the Administrator of Emergency Management to hire the Coordinator by 1/1/2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FACILITIES.

Requires all state building construction begun on or after 7/1/2028 to provide at least one universal changing accommodation in each public restroom designated as a family or assisted-use restroom, unless technically infeasible. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

For taxable years beginning after 1/1/2027, establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit for certain agricultural investment costs incurred for agricultural activities conducted on Hawaiian home lands. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE BUILDINGS.

Requires certain state buildings with the intent of serving a secondary purpose as an emergency shelter and designed on or after July 1, 2027, to be designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes and be used as shelters in the event of an emergency. Designates the Department of Accounting and General Services as the lead agency in enforcing this requirement in consultation with the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax and the amount collected from the tax that is deposited into the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE ARCHIVES.

Appropriates funds for the planning, designing, environmental studies, site evaluation and selection studies, and permitting conducted relative to a new facility for the State Archives. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO STRATEGIC FOOD RESERVES.

Establishes the Hawaii Strategic Food Reserves Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Establishes purchasing requirements for crops stored at a strategic food reserve. Establishes the Strategic Food Reserves Advisory Committee. Establishes the Agricultural Market Development Grant Program. Establishes the Hawaii Strategic Food Reserves Program Special Fund. Requires DAB and the Strategic Food Reserves Advisory Committee to submit annual reports to the Legislature, respectively. Establishes a timeline for DAB's implementation of the Hawaii Strategic Food Reserves Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE FOOD HUB PILOT PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds to the Food Hub Pilot Program. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT LICENSURE COMPACT.

Beginning 1/1/2027, authorizes the Governor to enter the PA Licensure Compact to create a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing authority of the Hawaii Medical Board and provides a streamlined process that allows a PA to become licensed in multiple states, thereby enhancing the portability of a PA license and ensuring the safety of patients. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

Eliminates joint and several liability for child welfare service organizations by limiting liability to each organization's percentage share of damages. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Homeowners Insurance within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Homeowners Insurance Special Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO DISPOSABLE BODYBOARDS.

Prohibits the sale, rental, or distribution of disposable bodyboards in the State. Establishes penalties.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

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 THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to request information related to easements prior to any transfer of certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to obtain approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity before pasture lands are removed for reforestation or other public purposes. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Temporarily establishes, within the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator to review, assess, coordinate, prepare, and manage plans and resources for search and rescue operations statewide. Repeals on 6/30/2031. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Elle CochranDemocrat

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 MORTGAGES.

Clarifies that a mortgage does not exist independent of the debt it secures and shall not be independently enforceable from the debt. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program, to consist of a reimbursement program and a grant program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, to assist certain farmers and livestock producers with transportation costs for agricultural products, inputs, supplies, and production and distribution of agricultural commodities. Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. 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 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 CARBON SEQUESTRATION.

Establishes a state goal to strengthen nature-based carbon emissions reduction solutions. Directs certain state agencies to identify opportunities for investing in nature-based solutions that reduce carbon emissions. Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop methodologies to quantify carbon emissions reductions through marine ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COUNTRY CLUB APARTMENT BUILDING, HILO, HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to demolish and remove the Country Club Apartment Building and related structures and utilities located at 121 Banyan Drive, Hilo, Hawaii, on the parcel designated as tax map key: (3) 2-1-005:020. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEMP.

Establishes the Hawaii Hemp Special Fund. Establishes the Hemp Paper Packaging Pilot Program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RECOGNITION OF A HAWAIIAN SENSE OF PLACE.

Establishes the Hawaiian Sense of Place Recognition Act. Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop educational and outreach programs to promote understanding of the Hawaiian sense of place among residents, visitors, and public employees. Requires state agencies to incorporate Hawaiian sense of place principles into land planning, management, and state construction projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules to enforce the Akamai Arrival Program. Requires DAB to strengthen enforcement of plant and non-domestic animal quarantine and microorganism importations. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Prohibits the sale, barter, or donation of any pest-infested item or material. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to quarantine, treat, or destroy pest-infested items or materials. Imposes penalties on individuals who sell, barter, or donate a pest-infested items or materials. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STRENGTHEN HAWAII HOMES PROGRAM.

Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources to award grants for qualified mitigation projects to mitigate against loss from fire. Provides eligibility criteria for residential property owners to receive grants and guidelines for contractors and assessors to perform work on mitigation projects. Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Revolving Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL PORT ADMINISTRATION.

Renames the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation to the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes between the terms "harbor" and "commercial port" throughout the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for a certain percentage of expenses paid to retrofit a residence with wind resistive devices or to purchase, install, or construct, a hurricane shelter on the taxpayer's property. Reduces the general excise tax rate on the gross proceeds or income from the sale of a concrete high-rise certified hurricane-resistant residential project or certain hurricane-resistant components of the project. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 12/31/2030. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE-OWNED HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND INHERITED LANDS.

Establishes the State-Owned Historic Properties Preservation Plan Working Group within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to ensure the preservation of state-owned historic properties and inherited lands. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to establish a Community Action Center in Chinatown. Expenditure contingent upon the City and County of Honolulu providing matching funds. Appropriation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Pro-Housing Score Program to evaluate each county's performance in expanding housing opportunities and reducing regulatory barriers. Requires the counties to publish their respective pro-housing scores online and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to publish certain related information and data on a public dashboard. Establishes criteria for deeming a county noncompliant. Establishes builder's remedies for certain housing projects in transit-oriented development areas. Specifies that if a county is deemed noncompliant, the planning director or an equivalent county officer responsible for land use approvals shall be responsible for approving or denying certain affordable housing development applications. Establishes procedures for certain transit-oriented development housing project appeals. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Appropriates funds to: (1) the counties for more voter service centers for in-person voting; (2) the Office of Elections to print and mail the digital voter information guide to all registered voters; and (3) the Office of Elections to support a public outreach and engagement campaign to encourage greater voter participation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat