Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.

Beginning 7/1/2026, authorizes the State Historic Preservation Division to contract its review of proposed state projects and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants under certain circumstances. Establishes requirements for qualified third-party consultants providing review services. Requires the project proponent to pay the reasonable fee requirements of the third-party consultant. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to publish a draft of its proposed rules and later present its proposed final rules to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

Clarifies that Act 130, SLH 2024, which amended the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, takes effect on the earlier of the date of the Secretary of the Interior's notification letter that Act 130 does not require congressional approval, or on the date that the United States Congress approval becomes law. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Amends the definition of "registered for work" or "registration for work" under the Hawaii Employment Security Law. Repeals the requirement to post work availability online. Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive certain unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, permits electronic notification of determinations or redeterminations of unemployment claims. Repeals language that limited an individual's ability to change a previously elected withholding status to once during a benefit year. (SD2)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Part I: Authorizes DOH to inspect qualifying patient medical records held by the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or hospice provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient. Amends and adds definitions for purposes of the medical use of cannabis law. Clarifies the conditions of use for the medical use of cannabis. For purposes of issuing written certifications, authorizes the establishment of a provider-patient relationship via telehealth and limits the maximum amount of fees that can be assessed by providers. Authorizes the sale of hemp products and accessories for the medical use of cannabis at retail dispensing locations, except in waiting rooms. Clarifies transportation requirements for certain inter-dispensary sales of cannabis and manufactured cannabis products. Part II: Establishes criminal penalties for the unlicensed operation of a medical cannabis dispensary. Part III: Authorizes expenditures from the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund to fund programs for the mitigation and abatement of nuisances related to illegal cannabis and hemp products and medical cannabis dispensaries and appropriates funds from the Special Fund to the AG's Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit for these purposes, including establishing positions. Part IV: Beginning 1/1/2028, prohibits the cultivation of cannabis without a cannabis cultivator license issued by DOH. (CD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PET INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, establishes a regulatory framework specifically for pet insurance based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Pet Insurance Model Act. (CD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Appropriates funds for the Judiciary for the fiscal biennium beginning 7/1/2025 and ending 6/30/2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESS YOUTH.

Makes the Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Program permanent within the Office of Youth Services. Requires the program to collaborate with certain state and county departments. Authorizes the Office of Youth Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide shelters for homeless youth or young adults. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO REMEDIES.

Clarifies that the statute of repose applies to contract, tort, and statutory claims. Clarifies the required contents of a notice of claim of a construction defect served on a contractor. Clarifies the process and time frame by which a claimant may accept or reject a contractor's offer to settle and authorize repairs. Clarifies the mediation process for construction defect claims. Clarifies the statute of limitation or repose for construction defect claims. (CD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM.

Expands the Preschool Open Doors Program's eligibility criteria. Repeals the requirement that Preschool Open Doors Program providers be accredited. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Repeals the construction cost component of school impact fees. Exempts government housing developments, affordable housing units and projects, and Hawaiian home lands housing from school impact fees. Requires the School Facilities Authority to adopt rules governing fee collection. Increases the minimum number of units in a development to trigger land dedication provisions of the land component impact fee. Requires a report to the Legislature on program efficacy. Sunsets 7/1/2029. (CD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM.

Requires budget summaries to contain all required information without referring the reader to other portions of the budget. Clarifies a unit owner's ability to enforce compliance with budget summary and replacement reserves requirements. (CD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIGARETTE TAXES.

Beginning 1/1/2026, increases the cigarette tax from 16 cents to 18 cents and amends the disposition of cigarette tax revenues by allocating the increase in the cigarette tax amount to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a portion to be used exclusively for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Effective 12/31/2025. (CD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA.

Prohibits the use of certain words and misleading Hawaiian imagery, place names, and motifs on the label of a consumer package that contains or includes tea or dried leaves from the plant Pipturus albidus, unless 100 per cent of the tea or dried leaves were cultivated, harvested, and dried in the State. Appropriates funds for a Measurement Standards Inspector position. (CD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO WINDSHIELD TINTING.

Prohibits a person from installing, mounting, adhering, affixing, or using any sun screening device in conjunction with the glazing material of a motor vehicle with mirrored or high reflective finishes that produce a red, yellow, amber, or blue appearances from the exterior. Requires all drivers and passengers of motor vehicles with applied tint to fully roll down their windows when stopped by a law enforcement officer at a traffic stop, with certain exceptions. Clarifies the light transmittance levels on sun screening devices used in conjunction with glazing material for front side windows and wing windows. Exempts rear windows, including rear windshields on certain vehicles, and side windows to the rear of the driver on sedans from sun screening device requirements. Increases the minimum and maximum fines for violating sun screening device requirements. Specifies that failure of an installer to issue a required certificate to be a violation of sun screening device requirements. Makes the absence of the required certificate in a vehicle prima facie evidence that an installer is noncompliant with the law. (CD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Establishes various criminal offenses and penalties related to fireworks or articles pyrotechnic. Amends multiple definitions and penalties for fireworks offenses, including heightened penalties if another person suffers substantial bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death as a result of the fireworks offenses. Adds fireworks infractions to the existing adjudication of infractions process for traffic and emergency period infractions. (CD2)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATED TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires manufactured hemp product distributors and manufactured hemp product retailers to obtain a certificate of registration from DOH. Establishes the offense of unlawful hemp distribution or retailing. Specifies the authority to inspect businesses engaged in the distribution and sale of, and authority to seize or confiscate, products containing or derived from hemp. Prohibits the sale of tinctures to persons under twenty-one years of age. Specifies that the offense of unlawful hemp distribution or retailing is subject to nuisance abatement proceedings. Establishes that a violation of the hemp processor laws constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice and unfair method of competition subject to a civil penalty. Allows funds in the Hawaii Hemp Processing Special Fund to be used by DOH for the registry of manufactured hemp product distributors and retailers. Authorizes the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation to administer the hemp processors program. Establishes that every building, premises, or place used for the purpose of violating the hemp processors law is a nuisance subject to abatement. (CD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund, and sunsets the Subaccount on 6/30/2030. Requires the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board to consider the infrastructure needs of transit-supportive density requirements. Requires the strategic plan developed by the Hawaii Interagency Council for Transit-Oriented Development to delineate transit-oriented development areas for each county. (CD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes an appropriation for the public employment cost items and cost adjustments for employees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and various legislative agencies who are excluded from collective bargaining. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SOCIAL SERVICES.

Increases the domiciliary care rates for certain providers and clarifies that the needs allowance and domiciliary care rates are included in the state supplemental payment ceiling amounts. Effective 10/1/2025. (CD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO MIDWIVES.

Makes laws regulating midwives and the practice of midwifery permanent. Clarifies the scope of practice of midwifery. Establishes licensure requirements for certified midwives and certified professional midwives. Establishes continuing education requirements. Grants global signature authority to midwives. Grants prescriptive authority to licensed midwives practicing as certified midwives and amends the list of approved legend drugs that may be administered by midwives. Establishes peer review and data submission requirements. Affirms that the practice of midwifery does not include Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices. Clarifies exemptions from licensure and grounds for refusal to grant, renew, reinstate, or restore licenses or for revocation, suspension, denial, or condition of a license. Clarifies medical record availability and retention requirements for the purposes of medical torts. (SD3)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a Government Employee Housing Program within HHFDC, to be financed by the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds for the program. (CD1)

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (13) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (3) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.

Effectuates the recommendations of the "Phase 3" Forward-Looking Report by Fire Safety Research Institute on the 2023 Maui wildfires and further clarifies the appointment and role of the State Fire Marshal. Establishes the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes the State Fire Marshal Selection Commission. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Authorizes the Hawaii Community Development Authority to cooperate with or assist public and private sector entities to engage in projects that improve the State. Amends the membership of the HCDA board of directors. Establishes the Transit-oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement Program under HCDA. Repeals the Transit-oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Authorizes HCDA to issue bonds to finance the development of infrastructure outside of HCDA's community development districts. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (4) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Units (1) and (10) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (2) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.

Clarifies the Hawaii Public Housing Authorityꞌs powers relating to housing projects. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Expands the offense of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee to include roasted coffee. Imposes a mandatory minimum fine of $7,500 for each separate offense of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee. (CD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO PASS-THROUGH ENTITY TAXATION.

Requires all qualified members claiming a credit for pass-through entity taxation to adjust their income to include the qualified member's share of taxes paid by an electing pass-through entity for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Units (1), (2), (3), (4), (8), (9), (10), (13), and (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal year 2024-2025. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 is exceeded. (CD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RURAL EMERGENCY HOSPITALS.

Creates a framework for the licensure of rural emergency hospitals at the state level by the Department of Health. Clarify Medicaid reimbursement policies for hospitals transitioning from a critical access hospital designation to a rural emergency hospital designation. (CD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (7) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RELIEF FUNDING.

Allows the Board of Regents to use moneys in the University of Hawaii tuition and fees special fund for student aid in direct response to an emergency or disaster, as declared by the Governor. Requires a report. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE.

Requires the University of Hawaii to grant the resident tuition fee for enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus to individuals who have graduated from a Hawaii high school and are enrolling in an undergraduate degree program, under certain conditions. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (9) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (8) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (6) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII REVENUE BONDS.

Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing qualifying priority capital improvement projects. Conditions revenue bond proceeds appropriation on room and board assistance to students with financial need. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Establish a safe routes to school program vehicle registration surcharge on certain motor vehicle registrations to be imposed and collected no later than 12/31/2025. Prohibits the use of facial recognition software in the operation of any photo red light imaging detector systems or automated speed enforcement systems. Clarifies the citations and summons procedures for the Automated Speed Enforcement Detector Systems Program. (CD1)

LA CHICA

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (5) and their excluded counterparts negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Requires retail sellers or transferers of firearms to provide purchasers with notice regarding the law on firearms storage. Expands the requirements for the secure storage of firearms. Clarifies the offense of criminally negligent storage of a firearm. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Allows campaign funds to be used for a candidate’s child care and vital household dependent care costs under certain conditions.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD.

Allows the Commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, which is currently Major General. Provides the Adjutant General with the flexibility to assign either the Chief of Staff or the Assistant Adjutant General to lead the Hawaii Air National Guard. Authorizes the pay and allowances for the Chief of Staff of the Hawaii Air National Guard to be determined according to the pay tables of the Regular Air Force of the United States. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.

Authorizes the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to sell, donate, or otherwise dispose of property abandoned or seized in federal public housing projects. Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to notify the known owner of the abandoned or seized property. Establishes procedures for persons entitled to the abandoned or seized property. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD PERFORMERS.

Establishes that for a minor in theatrical employment with a gross income of at least $5,000 on a project or $20,000 in a calendar year: a parent or legal guardian of the minor is required to establish a trust account for the minor with an independent third-party trustee; and the employer of the minor is required to deposit a portion of the minor's earnings into the trust account until the minor becomes an adult. Makes misappropriation or fraudulent use of funds within the trust account a breach of fiduciary duty subject to penalties. (CD1)

Mike LeeDemocrat