Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME.

Requires the Department of Human Services to automatically enroll, or authorize the Social Security Administration to automatically enroll, in the State's Medicaid program any individual in the State who receives federal Supplemental Security Income benefits. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies the definition of "qualified nonprofit housing trust" to specify organizations that exclusively serve qualified residents as defined in section 201H-32, HRS.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO IMPACT FEES.

Authorizes condominium associations and planned community associations located in a zoning district that allows for transient vacation rentals to impose an impact fee on owners or members who use their units as transient vacation rentals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Eliminates the home mortgage interest deduction for second homes under Hawaii income tax law. Requires reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO A LIBRARY IN EWA BEACH.

Requires the Department of Education to transfer the Ewa Beach Public and School Library from the State Public Library System to James Campbell High School.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTHCARE PRECEPTORS.

Expands the definitions of "preceptor" and "volunteer-based supervised clinical training rotation" to improve accessibility for providers to receive income tax credits for acting as preceptors, including removing "primary care" from the criteria to qualify as a preceptor. Adds dieticians, physician assistants, and social workers to the list of preceptors and eligible students. Expands eligibility for the tax credit to include accredited residency programs that require preceptor support. Adds the Director of Health and residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.

Requires the Research and Economic Analysis Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study the impacts of the incremental minimum wage increases pursuant to Act 114, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, on businesses and other employers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish state goals and implement projects to promote economic diversification through innovation and technology. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to the Small Business Innovation Research Program, Manufacturing Assistance Program, and Accelerator and Small Business Training Programs. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu for the Victim Witness Assistance Program. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COPYING FEES.

Prohibits the cost of reproducing government records in a digital format from exceeding 5 cents per digital record that has already been digitized. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE.

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to design, implement, and administer trauma-informed organizational assessments and a training curriculum for Child Welfare Services to support the development of a trauma-informed child welfare system in the State. Allows the office to contract with public and private entities to provide necessary services. Appropriates funds.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Authorizes a person intoxicated by alcohol, under the influence of drugs, or incapacitated by substances, including a minor, to voluntarily admit themself to a psychiatric facility or a behavioral health crisis center for an emergency evaluation to determine need for treatment.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Requires that Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation housing projects include a restrictive covenant that states that the units designated as affordable housing, as described in the submitted project application, shall remain as affordable housing in perpetuity. Prohibits development of affordable housing in a special flood hazard area.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Authorizes the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to request the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to furnish a list of five qualified and experienced interest arbitrators in the event the parties fail to select the neutral third member of the arbitration panel. Clarifies that the list of five interest arbitrators may contain arbitrators from both the American Arbitration Association and the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. (SD1)

AQUINO

RELATING TO OCEAN USER SAFETY.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to issue interim rules regarding commercial and recreational use of water sports equipment.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Makes an emergency appropriation out of the State Highway Fund to provide funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the Department of Transportation to enforce the Motor Carrier Law.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO NEONICOTINOIDS.

Classifies neonicotinoid pesticides as restricted use pesticides and establishes a list of chemicals that shall belong to the neonicotinoid class of chemicals. Prohibits the sale or use of seeds coated or treated with neonicotinoid pesticides. Requires the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules that identify and regulate the most harmful neonicotinoid pesticide formulations and develop guidelines for safer alternatives.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

Directs the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Agribusiness Development Corporation and the counties, to conduct a statewide agricultural water infrastructure study. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Mandates reimbursement for services provided by participating registered pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice by private and public health plans in the State beginning January 1, 2026.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Program within the Department of Agriculture to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Repeals the exemption to the general excise tax for agricultural businesses engaged in the production of genetically engineered agricultural products.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Requires a portion of the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to be deposited into the Special Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Board of Agriculture to define the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to include in its plan of operation insurance coverage for commercial properties twice denied by private insurers. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO A RATE STUDY FOR HOME HEALTH SERVICES.

Appropriates funding for the Department of Human Services to conduct a rate study for Medicaid home health services in Hawaii.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO ALLOWANCE ON SERVICE RETIREMENTS.

Adds definitions for certain Department of Law Enforcement employees. Establishes guidance for the computation of retirement benefits for the Director of Law Enforcement, Deputy Director of the Department of Law Enforcement, Sheriff Division Investigator, Sheriff, and Department of Law Enforcement Investigator.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS.

Requires all health care providers who accept Medicare to provide a cognitive assessment as part of the Medicare Part B annual wellness visit for Medicare beneficiaries sixty-five years of age or older, with certain exceptions. Requires health care providers to submit certain information to the Executive Office on Aging and the Executive Office on Aging to report de-identified aggregated data to the Legislature on an annual basis. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2026.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.

Beginning 1/1/2026, prohibits certain entities from owning, purchasing, or acquiring ownership of agricultural lands.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Increases the procurement thresholds for small purchases. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT CONTRACTS.

Requires all performance incentive contracts to specify a pricing basis, performance goals, and a formula in calculating the contractor's profit, fees, or price decrease if the specified performance goals are exceeded or not met. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

AQUINO

RELATING TO ARBORISTS.

Requires the State to ensure and enforce that all certified arborists in its employ, including contractors, adhere to best management practices.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.

Prohibits the planting of large trees along evacuation routes. Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to identify large trees along evacuation routes and trim, spray, or remove large trees having the potential to obstruct an evacuation route. Defines evacuation route. Appropriates moneys.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE WOMEN'S COURT.

Establishes a temporary three-year Women's Court Pilot Program within the second, third, and fifth circuits. Establishes temporary positions. Requires a report. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE.

Transfers the Office of Wellness and Resilience to the Department of Human Resources Development. Creates a Wellness and Resilience Advisory Board. Updates the Office of Wellness and Resilience functions. Effective 6/29/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO BREAST CANCER SCREENING.

Expands mandatory health insurance coverage for low-dose mammography for occult breast cancer to include any supplemental imaging deemed medically necessary for a patient of any age having an above-average risk for breast cancer as determined by the use of a risk-factor modeling tool. On or before 1/1/2026, expands mandatory health insurance coverage to include additional supplemental imaging for any patient, regardless of age, as deemed medically necessary by the patient's primary care provider. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

Appropriates funds for the Executive Office on Early Learning to contract with third-party providers of family-child interaction learning programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Imposes a fee on the total amount of independent expenditures made by a noncandidate committee during an election period. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires the Insurance Commissioner to convene a working group to identify, assess, and recommend certain risk transfer market mechanisms. Requires annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRONIC SERVICE OF PROCESS.

Allows businesses in the State to designate an email address to accept service of process in lieu of continuously maintaining a registered agent in the State.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Allows a patient seen in-person by another health care provider in the same medical group as the prescribing physician to be prescribed an opiate prescription for a three-day supply or less via telehealth.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO BUILDING CODES.

Beginning 1/1/2028, makes the most recent Hawaii state building codes adopted by the state building code council supersede all existing county building codes and thereafter allows counties to remove requirements of the state building codes or add requirements to the state building codes only with prior council approval. Repeals the counties' authority to adopt, amend, and update the Hawaii state building codes for their respective county building codes.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and amends the maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code, expands the types of potential violations of the State Water Code, and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES.

Allows foreign medical school graduates applying for a license to practice medicine and surgery to substitute one year of required medical training or experience in a hospital with one year of fellowship training where the parent program or hospital is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY'S ‘ŌLELO HAWAI‘I INITIATIVES.

Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to support the Olelo Hawaii Initiatives. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PROPERTY.

Amends the definition of "historic property" under the State's historic preservation program to include properties included on, or eligible for inclusion on, the national register of historic places or Hawaii register of historic places and any artifacts, records, or material remains relating to the property. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS.

Updates the Agricultural Loan Program by lowering interest rates, increasing and standardizing loan limits, and reducing the number of credit denials. Authorizes the Program to issue lines of credit. Creates a new class of loans to encourage large scale agriculture of import replacement crops grown for the Farm to State Program. Appropriates funds into and out of the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Establishes the Hawaii Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council. Requires an action plan and reports to the Governor and Legislature by certain dates. Establishes positions. Authorizes the hiring of consultants to assist the advisory council. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GREENHOUSE GAS SEQUESTRATION TASK FORCE.

Repeals the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat