Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Beginning January 1, 2027, legalizes low-dose and low-potency cannabis for personal adult use by persons over the age of twenty-one, including cultivation of a certain quantity of plants at a private residence. Legalizes cannabis accessories. Requires the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation to adopt rules to effectuate the legalization of low-dose and low-potency cannabis. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO INTERNSHIPS.

Permits the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to enter into contracts with eligible employers or registered apprenticeship programs in the private sector to provide on-the-job training to eligible interns. Provides that the State shall be the responsible employer for purposes of workers' compensation coverage for students or recent graduates in the on-the-job-training work experience program, subject to certain limitations. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND STAFF SALARIES.

Authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to establish the salary for an assistant administrator of the Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to design a 4-year Child Welfare System Diversion and Intervention Pilot Program to support families and children involved or at risk of involvement or reinvolvement with child welfare services. Specifies that the Department of Human Services shall implement and administer the pilot program. Allows the Department to contract with public and private entities to provide necessary services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ATHLETE AGENTS.

Prohibits any person from providing advisory, negotiation, or procurement assistance to or on behalf of a student athlete relating to endorsements; promotional or marketing services; appearances; autographs; social media branding; content creation or distribution; licensing of publicity rights; brand development, sponsorship, or promotional arrangements; or agreements related to the name, image, or likeness of the student athlete, without being a registered athlete agent in the State and having a valid agency contract executed in compliance with applicable law. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND.

Provides a tax credit to taxpayers and makes deposits to the emergency and budget reserve fund and other post-employment benefits trust fund pursuant to article VII, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

Establishes a Royal Mausoleum Commission within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop and implement policy for the preservation, operation, and outreach of Mauna ʻAla. Requires the Royal Mausoleum Commission to report annually to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT PROTESTS.

Requires the forfeiture of half of the cash or protest bond for review of procurement-related disputes if the initiating party does not prevail in an administrative proceeding and the Office of Administrative Hearings finds that the appeal was made in bad faith. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

Establishes labeling requirements for ʻōkolehao products. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOSPITAL DISCHARGE DATA.

Establishes a statewide system for the collection, audit, and public release of de‑identified hospital discharge data. Requires the State Health Planning and Development Agency to convene a Hospital Discharge Data Working Group. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS.

Establishes the universal school meals special fund to accept deposits of Medicaid reimbursements received by the Department of Education.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS.

Requires condominium maps for lands within an agricultural district to include a letter signed by an appropriate county official or agency certifying that the condominium property regime will conform to county zoning laws. Requires an application for registration of a project in an agricultural district larger than ten acres to include certain additional information. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATUTORY REVISION: AMENDING OR REPEALING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE HAWAII REVISED STATUTES OR THE SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII FOR THE PURPOSES OF CORRECTING ERRORS AND REFERENCES, CLARIFYING LANGUAGE, OR DELETING OBSOLETE OR UNNECESSARY PROVISIONS.

Amends or repeals various provisions of the HRS or the SLH for the purposes of correcting errors and references, clarifying language, or deleting obsolete or unnecessary provisions.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to achieve the full funding, including estimated payment increases, of Medicaid home- and community-based services. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CORAL REEF RESILIENCE.

Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to: (1) manage and administer aquatic life and resources, with the highest priority being to protect, restore, and maintain ecosystem integrity, using the best scientific data available; (2) make plans by certain dates for the restoration of reef ecosystems and indigenous species to a level that is not less than an unspecified per cent of their natural biomass potential; and (3) make a plan by 7/1/2027 for the expansion of live coral cover at not less than twenty-five per cent on reefs that have historically supported naturally occurring live coral cover. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Amends the Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit to remove language limiting access only to those practicing in primary care, to add licensed dietitians, physician assistants, and social workers as eligible preceptors and students, and to include residency and followship programs. Adds the Director of Health and a representative of residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE LICENSURE WAIVERS.

Authorizes the waiver of certain healthcare worker licensure requirements during emergencies. Requires the Department of Health to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO MARIJUANA.

Changes from 1 ounce to 30 grams the minimum amount of marijuana that constitutes the offense of promoting a detrimental drug in the second degree. Increases from 3 grams or less to 15 grams or less the amount of marijuana that constitutes the offense of promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF WATER SAFETY AND DROWNING PREVENTION.

Establishes the Department of Water Safety and Drowning Prevention. Establishes the position of Director of Water Safety and Drowning Prevention. Establishes the position of Deputy Director of Water Safety and Drowning Prevention. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Establishes and appropriates funds for a working group within the State Building Code Council to develop proposals for an off-site construction program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE REVOCATION.

Clarifies an administrative driver's license revocation takes automatic effect thirty days after a Notice of Administrative Revocation that the revocation remains in effect until the Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office affirms or rescinds the administrative revocation. Clarifies review timelines for the administrative review and hearing processes. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to rehabilitate, remodel, renovate, and repair housing units, including exterior repairs. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURAL EDUCATION.

Establishes a Cultural Training Pilot Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to be administered by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation for all commercial use permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor. Requires DOBOR to partner with an organization identified by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in Native Hawaiian culture and place-based history to teach a cultural training course to educate commercial use permit holders and applicants for commercial use permits on the cultural and historic significance of the area. Requires existing commercial use permit holders and applicants to undergo cultural training. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Education and public charter schools to take certain steps regarding incidents of harassment and implement procedures for handling harassment of educational workers. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO COASTAL RESILIENCE.

Establishes a five-year Coastal Resilience Pilot Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the preservation of Mantokuji Bay. Allows the pilot program to be exempt from certain regulatory requirements. Requires the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct a streamlined historic preservation review. Establishes certain procedures for the discovery of Native Hawaiian skeletal remains. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/3005. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to designate airport special district zones within airports statewide. Adds a new HRS section to help prevent unauthorized access and enhance security. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt, amend, or repeal administrative fee schedules for use of certain lands pursuant to a specified procedure and to exempt parking lot and concessions operations on those lands from the bidding requirements for concessions operated on public property. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW.

Repeals the requirement that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations regulate hoisting machines and certify their operators and the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, including its rules requiring a separate state crane operator certificate. Allows additional time for the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to complete an investigation of a discharge or discrimination complaint pertaining to employees exercising rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Law without formal extension. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE HEALTH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

Amends the functions and responsibilities of the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Adds a new definition of "health care" for chapter 323D, HRS. Amends the exemption threshold for bed changes to up to thirty per cent of existing licensed bed types. Exempts the Department of Health from certificate of need requirements. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEMS OF CARE.

Modernizes the State's emergency medical services statutes to align with current best practices. (SD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO A WEALTH ASSET TAX.

Beginning January 1, 2030, establishes a wealth asset tax of one per cent of the state net worth of each individual taxpayer who holds $20,000,000 or more in assets in the State. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920, AS AMENDED.

Increases the limit of the State's liability for moneys borrowed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands or loans made to lessees that are guaranteed by the Department from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000. Effective 9/9/2129. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AUDIBLE VEHICLE REVERSE WARNING SYSTEMS.

Prohibits a state- or county-owned vehicle purchased on or after 1/1/2028, from using an audible reverse warning system that emits a warning sound other than one using broadband technology. Authorizes the Director of Transportation to grant exemptions under certain circumstances. Requires the Director of Transportation to maintain an updated record of all exemptions granted and a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

Proposes an amendment to the Hawaii State Constitution to provide that freedom of speech protected under the Hawaii State Constitution does not include the expenditure of money to influence elections. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PAROLE ELIGIBILITY.

Amends section 353-64, HRS, to include participation in correctional programs for parole eligibility: (1) treatment (substance abuse, mental health, sex offender); (2) work furlough as part of vocational education; and (3) other programs designed to assist the committed person with successful reintegration back into the community; all of which are in the scope of programs determined by Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Receiving and Diagnostic (RAD) assessments and recommended for parole eligibility. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EXPENDITURE CEILING ON THE AUTOMATED VICTIM INFORMATION AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM SPECIAL FUND.

Removes the $600,000 annual expenditure ceiling on the Automated Victim Information and Notification System Special Fund to address rising program costs and growing victim service demands. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND INVESTMENT OFFICE STAFF SALARIES.

Authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to establish appropriate salaries for the investment officers and investment analysts of the Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (11) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DOWNPAYMENT LOAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Amends the Downpayment Loan Assistance Program, administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, to align with federal requirements and enhance assistance for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Expands the allowable uses of Hawaii Technology Development Corporation grant funds to include providing grants to any business that applies for a federal research and development grant or receives a federal research and development award or contract that requires non-federal funding match, with certain exceptions. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE THE POTENTIAL OF UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of accessible geothermal heat and carbon sequestration resources through the use of slim-hole bores and requires a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Expands the ban on pistols with a detachable magazine with over a ten-round capacity to any firearm with a detachable magazine with over a thirty-round capacity. Exempts detachable ammunition magazines with a capacity in excess of thirty rounds that are designed for or capable of use with any firearm other than a pistol obtained before 1/1/2026. Effective 1/1/2026. (SD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace existing chapters related to advance health care directives and advance mental health care directives. Requires the Attorney General to convene a working group. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/30/2050. Implementation effective 7/1/20209. (SD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS.

Clarifies and updates the sex trafficking and promoting prostitution criminal offense statutes by refining the definition of "profits from prostitution," establishing an affirmative defense to these offenses for certain lawful transactions, and making technical and other housekeeping amendments. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THEFT.

Requires a mandatory twelve-month minimum sentence of incarceration, without the possibility of parole, for a conviction of theft in the first degree when the value of the property or services stolen exceeds $250,000, whether imposed as a mandatory minimum sentence for an indeterminate term of imprisonment or as a condition of probation, in addition to any other authorized disposition such as restitution or a fine. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO RECORDINGS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.

Establishes the right of a person to record law enforcement activities. Establishes a private right of action for any violation of the right to record law enforcement activities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FALSE IMPERSONATION OF UNION REPRESENTATIVES.

Prohibits a person from falsely impersonating an employee organization representative. Establishes a cause of action and civil remedies. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO A MARITIME YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAY PROGRAM.

Requires Honolulu Community College, in partnership with state agencies and maritime employers, to conduct a study and develop a plan for a statewide Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Pathway Program for individuals ages 16 to 24. Requires a report to the Legislature with recommendations on program structure, resource needs, proposed legislation and implementation options. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat