Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a one-year Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project that will enable the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to develop and make publicly available a digital platform designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges. Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Beginning 12/31/2026, establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines "electric bicycle" in place of "low-speed electric bicycle". Defines "electric micro-mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters. Prohibits a person under the age of sixteen from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Authorizes a person under the age of fourteen to operate class 2 electric bicycles under supervision. Prohibits a person from riding a class 3 electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Authorizes a person to ride a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes. Substitutes the term "motor-driven cycle" with the term "motor scooter".

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

Repeals existing law that preempts local ordinances or regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices and voids any existing local laws and regulations conflicting with the state law governing smoking. Allows counties to adopt ordinances that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices that do not conflict with and are more stringent than the state law that governs smoking.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT.

Extends child care subsidies to disabled parents or guardians, regardless of their employment status. Requires the Department of Human Services to evaluate caregiver capacity and dependent-care responsibilities when determining eligibility for medicaid home- and community-based services. Requires the Department of Human Services to update its evaluation form and functional assessment protocols related to level of care and at-risk needs determinations. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HOUSEHOLD AND DEPENDENT CARE SERVICES TAX CREDIT.

Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. Extends the sunset date of the temporary increase in maximum employment-related expenses that are used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit, established by Act 163, SLH 2023, to 6/30/2030. Sunsets 6/30/2030.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELL-BEING.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a Hawaii Rx kids program to improve the economic stability of households with very young children who reside in the State through a one-time payment and several monthly payments.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enter into community co-management agreements and establishes qualifications for eligible community co-managers. Authorizes the disposition of public lands by a community co-management agreement.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires an insurance producer to disclose a description of services to be provided, and compensation and commission to be received, before the procurement, placement, or renewal of any insurance policy purchased by a condominium association, and incorporates verification procedures into annual audit requirements. Requires at least two competitive quotes from insurance producers for any association insurance policy procurement, placement, or renewal with an annual premium greater than $250,000. Requires the board of directors to prepare and disclose to unit owners a one-page project summary for any capital improvement, repair, or maintenance project authorized with an estimated cost greater than $200,000.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to report to the Legislature on the integration of certain content into existing social studies curricula at public schools. Establishes a one-year 100th Infantry Battalion history curriculum pilot program within certain public high schools during the 2026-2027 school year. Requires reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPASSIONATE RELEASE.

Establishes a protocol for compassionate release for certain ill or seriously debilitated incarcerated persons. Establishes a temporary working group within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to develop initial administrative rules to implement the protocol. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

Exempts agricultural ponds and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure from regulations covering retention ponds. Defines agricultural ponds and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIMARY CARE.

Requires all health carriers to allocate, initially, not less than 6% of the carrier's total medical expenditures to primary care providers, with the percentage increasingly incrementally to 12%. Requires health carriers to pay primary care providers directly, rather than through administrative mechanisms. Places restrictions on downcoding and claim modifications. Requires health carriers to ensure access to primary care in rural areas, including access to Primary Care Access Visits and Community Access Primary Care Sites. Requires Insurance Commissioner to administer requirements established in bill. Requires the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division to apply the Act, to the extent permitted by federal law and subject to any federal approvals, to Medicaid managed care organizations. Requires reports. Requires the Auditor to evaluate the impact of the Act on various metrics 3 years after the measure's effective date. Establishes the primary care stabilization special fund.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION AFFORDABILITY.

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a Clean Vehicle Rebate Program to provide rebates for the purchase or lease of certain new and used zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Establishes the Clean Vehicle Special Fund. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LAND.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to acquire, through eminent domain or otherwise, the leasehold interest in the parcel identified as tax map key: (3) 2-1-001:012 and currently used as the Grand Naniloa Golf Course. Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to approve a new use for the parcel after providing an opportunity for public testimony. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR AEROSPACE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Authorizes the issuance of $15 million in general obligation bonds to finance the planning, design, and construction of a 50,000 square foot aerospace hangar and related facilities at Hilo international airport. Requires matching contributions from the federal government and private sector. Directs appropriation to be expended by the Department of Transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms to address economic factors sua sponte or on application by a water carrier. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a water carrier inflationary cost index automatic adjustment mechanism. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to waive or exempt any water carrier from any requirement under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Sunsets 7/1/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

Clarifies a driver's obligations at crosswalks. Requires drivers to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks. Strengthens penalties for traffic violations, particularly in school zones. Expands the offense of negligent injury in the second degree to include bodily injury to a vulnerable user by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning with the 2030 model year, requires new passenger vehicles to be equipped with passive intelligent speed assistance systems. Beginning 7/1/2030: makes circumventing or tampering with an active intelligence speed assistance system a misdemeanor; requires the Department of Transportation to select a vendor for the installation and maintenance of active intelligent speed assistance systems; and allows the Judiciary to impose the installation of active intelligent speed assistance systems as an additional penalty and as part of a license suspension or revocation for repeat offenders of certain traffic violations.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Prohibits vehicles from driving on the shoulder of a roadway, except in certain circumstances. Beginning one year after the effective date of this Act, authorizes the Department of Transportation and law enforcement officers to impound vehicles with expired registrations of three years or more, under certain conditions. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Increases the fine amount for owners of out-of-state motor vehicles who fail to register the vehicle in the State. Establishes minimum and maximum statutory penalties for violations relating to the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to assess a per passenger head fee against cruise ships docking in the State's commercial harbors in addition to existing port user fees. Establishes the Cruise Ship Special Fund. Repeals existing law imposing the Transient Accommodations Tax on cruise ships, effective retroactive to 1/1/2026. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a fare-free youth transit program, to be coordinated with the counties. Establishes a fare-free youth transit program special fund. Requires biannual evaluations of the new program and special fund. Allocates moneys from the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to the fare-free youth transit program special fund. Appropriates moneys into and out of the fare-free youth transit program special fund. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Restructures the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system for the sale of properties with residential use, adjusts the tax for multifamily properties to reflect value on a per-unit basis, and applies a cost-of-living adjustment to conveyance tax rates. Allocates revenues from conveyance tax collections. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax collections to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to fund infrastructure programs in county-designated transit-oriented development areas that meet minimum standards of transit-supportive density. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax revenues to the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust Fund.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WEST HAWAII REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

Appropriates funds for the planning, design, site work, and construction of a new outpatient care center in North Kona.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Establishes a limited right of first refusal for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands with respect to county real property tax sales. Requires advance notice from the counties to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands of qualifying properties. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Appropriates funds for the Area-Wide Fruit Fly Suppression Program.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SUBSISTENCE GARDENING.

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity a temporary Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience for the development of its human and community resilience institute.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes a five-year Agriculture and Biosecurity Workforce Development Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College and the Department of Human Resources Development. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Requires the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish a Center for Biosecurity Research, Education, and Extension to develop and implement innovative solutions for detecting, monitoring, eradicating, and managing invasive species. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes the issuance of GO bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvements for the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Agricultural Research and Extension Station on Kauai.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

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 ANIMALS.

Defines a "dog breeder" as any person who owns, possesses, controls, or otherwise has charge or custody of more than ten dogs over the age of twelve months with intact sexual organs, and who sells, barters, or otherwise transfers more than three litters and more than twenty-five dogs per calendar year. Requires dog breeders to meet minimum standards of care and not place certain types of dogs in the same enclosure to ensure the proper treatment and care of dogs and the dogs' offspring. Prohibits any person from owning or having custody of more than thirty dogs over one year with intact sexual organs. Requires dog breeders to maintain specific written records for each dog for a specified period. Authorizes each county to assess, implement, and enforce its own licensing system for dog breeders. Establishes civil penalties for violations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an Intervenor Compensation Program to reimburse qualified intervenors participating in commission proceedings for reasonable costs incurred for making substantial contributions. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

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 PESTICIDE BUFFER ZONES.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the application of restricted use pesticides within a half-mile radius of elderly health care facilities, with certain exemptions. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CELLULAR TOWERS.

Requires the Department of Health to provide public guidance on radiofrequency energy exposure and conduct statewide monitoring. Prohibits the trimming, removal, or alteration of trees or vegetation by counties around cellular towers or antennas solely to improve wireless signal reception or network performance, except as necessary for safety or protection of the equipment. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION.

By July 1, 2027, requires the Honolulu Police Department to establish and maintain a statewide automated DNA match tracking system. Requires the Department to submit an annual report to the Legislature and post the report to the Department's website. Requires each law enforcement agency and prosecuting attorney's office that submits DNA to a crime laboratory in the State to participate in the automated DNA match tracking system. Establishes mandatory deadlines for entities participating in the automated DNA match tracking system after confirmation of a DNA database match. Establishes privacy and data protection guidelines for the statewide automated DNA match tracking system. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO COOPERATIVES.

Establishes a Cooperative Development Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to award grants to support the establishment of new cooperatives in the State. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2031.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Amends section 150A-58, Hawaii Revised Statute, to clarify that signatory industries to a biosecurity government-industry agreement shall not be liable for costs related to performing activities pursuant to the agreement. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a working group that comprises signatories of the biosecurity government-industry agreements for joint-decision making.

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 TAXATION.

Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Gradually increases the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security Tax and establishes a refundable income tax credit to mitigate the effect of the increased tax on taxpayers. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Establishes the Hawai?i Firearm Injury Restitution Fund funded by contribution payments made by firearm manufacturers as a condition of market participation. Provides no-fault, first-payer coverage for medical and other costs arising from firearm injuries. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Implements recommendations from the 2025 Advisory Committee on Penal Code Review, established pursuant to Act 245, SLH 2024, to amend the Hawaii Penal Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO VOTER SERVICE CENTERS.

Requires clerks at a voter service center to maintain separate lines for voters with accessibility needs, voters who are newly registering or conducting a change of name or residence, and all other voters unless a line is unoccupied.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE SHERIFFS DAY.

Establishes April 27 of each year as State Sheriffs Day to commemorate the establishment of the Office of the Marshal of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1846. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING.

Requires employers of twenty or more persons to offer a parking cash-out program in place of a parking subsidy and report to the Department of Transportation. Requires the Department of Transportation to report to the Legislature, adopt rules, and impose fines or penalties on violators.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

Establishes the offense of prohibited acts related to female genital mutilation of a minor. Authorizes a victim of female genital mutilation to bring a civil action for damages under certain conditions. Amends the statutory definitions of "child abuse or neglect" and "harm" to include prohibited acts related to female genital mutilation of a minor.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes a two-year Youth Ride Free Pilot Program within the Department of Transportation. Specifies that certain Program administrative costs incurred by the counties are eligible for reimbursement from the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat