Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO COUNTY PERMITS.

Requires county permitting agencies to establish and fill positions exclusively to process permit applications submitted for state projects. Appropriates funds.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH A CONTINUOUS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

Establishes a continuous Legislature. Requires the Legislature to convene at least once each month. Repeals language regarding special sessions, adjournment, and recesses. Creates a 2-year deadline for a bill to be submitted for gubernatorial consideration. Standardizes the number of days that the Governor must approve or veto a bill submitted for consideration. Requires the passage of the legislative budget within 45 days before the end of each fiscal year. Prohibits members of the legislature from holding any position of employment in the private sector during their term. Authorizes members to serve in the United States military reserves, National Guard, or hold any lawful position of government employment, subject to certain current ethical limitations. Establishes salaries of the members of the Legislature pursuant to recommendations by the Commission on Salaries submitted during the 2028 regular session, unless those recommendations are amended by law.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION.

Appropriates funds for the establishment of investigator positions in the Campaign Spending Commission.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Extends from 5 business days to 13 calendar days the time period for ballot curing after the date of election.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in Hawaii, to begin with the 2026 general election year. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.

Establishes the Hawaii Food Security Special Fund to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit levels to those provided in federal fiscal year 2023. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME.

Implements a phased elimination of the tip credit.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

Allows the Department of Human Services to administer and provide public assistance to eligible residents of the State during a Governor-Declared State of Emergency.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO AIRCRAFT.

Requires the Director of Transportation to adopt rules that require tour aircraft operators to have aircraft liability insurance coverage no less than $5,000,000 per person per incident.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE FINANCES.

Short form bill relating to the state finances.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Short form bill relating to the state budget.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE PROGRAMS.

Short form bill relating to state programs.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS.

Short form bill relating to non-general funds.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Short form bill relating to taxation.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CIGARETTE TAX AND TOBACCO TAX LAW.

Exempts the shipment of large cigars in fulfillment of a sale by mail order from the offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TRANSITION OF THE OAHU REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FROM THE HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Repeals the requirement to transfer the Oahu Regional Health Care System from the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to the Department of Health. Repeals certain changes to the Hawaii Revised Statutes that were made by Act 212, SLH 2021. Requires the Oahu Regional Health Care System to enter into an agreement with the Department of Health regarding Oahu Regional Health Care System taking care of low acuity patients in the Department's custody by December 31, 2025.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

Clarifies and updates the responsibilities of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to reflect the current mental health systems of care that address the mental health needs of children and adolescents in the State.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM CIVIL SERVICE FOR CERTAIN POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Exempts certain positions in the Department of Health, including the Hawaii State Hospital, from civil service.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY RESILIENCE PILOT PROGRAM.

Establishes the Family Resilience Pilot Program within the Office of Wellness and Resilience and appropriates funds to execute the program, including the contracting of services.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STABILIZATION OF PROPERTY INSURANCE.

Expands the powers of the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to help to stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study. Appropriates moneys.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE LEGISLATIVE VACANCIES.

Provides the Governor with discretion to not fill a vacant legislative position if the vacancy occurs one hundred twenty days or less from an upcoming primary election until after the results of the primary election are certified.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPUTER SCIENCE LEGISLATIVE REPORT.

Changes the due date of the Department of Education's computer science legislative report from June 30 to twenty days prior to the start of the legislative regular session.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX APPEALS.

Clarifies that a notice of appeal relating to an appeal of a county tax is not required to be served on the Director of Taxation.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUPIL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY.

Amends sections 286-102 and 286-181, HRS, to allow exemptions to include use of motorcoaches, small buses, and vans, which may not meet school bus regulations for school bus services, but which shall otherwise meet vehicle requirements and qualifications set forth in chapter 19-143, Hawaii Administrative Rules, to the extent required by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Education, when adult staff chaperone escorts of students are provided while students are being transported between designated locations off-campus and designated locations on-campus.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates funds to establish positions within the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ACT.

Updates chapter 329, HRS, to make it consistent with amendments in the Federal Controlled Substances Act as required under section 329-11, HRS.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RARE DISEASES.

Establishes the rare disease advisory council to increase awareness and effective medical intervention for rare diseases. Establishes the rare disease advisory council special fund. Requires DOH and DOE to incorporate the importance of annual physical examinations for children in programs and literature. Amends the insurance code to include coverage for individuals with velocardiofacial syndrome and other genetic disorders. Exempts from cost sharing. Appropriates funds.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

Requires utilization review entities in the State to submit to the State Health Planning and Development Agency data relating to prior authorization of health care services.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MANUFACTURED HEMP PRODUCTS.

Clarifies that the definition of "manufactured hemp products" in section 328G-1, HRS, includes hemp products specified in rules adopted by the Department of Health pursuant to section 328G-4, HRS.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Retroactively repeals the sunset date of the authorization for primary caregivers to cultivate medical cannabis for their qualifying patients. Clarifies that each location used to cultivate cannabis can be used to cultivate cannabis for no more than five qualifying patients. Effective 1/1/2025.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY AEROMEDICAL SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to expand access to emergency aeromedical services.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

Confirms that Act 130, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, shall take effect on either the date of the Secretary of the Interior's notification letter to the Congressional Committee Chairpersons that this Act meets none of the criteria in title 43 Code of Federal Regulations section 48.20, or on the date that the United States Congress approval becomes law.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Amends the quorum requirement for the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CREDENTIALING OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

Authorizes the Department of Health to implement a two-year pilot program that reduces duplicative activities required for the credentialing of health care providers by hospitals, universities, clinics, health plans, and independent practice associations; and establishes an advisory committee. Appropriates funds.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE NATIONAL GUARD.

Specifies that intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a national guard member in the performance of duty is a class C felony.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD.

Authorizes the payment of allowances for TRICARE Reserve Select, TRICARE Dental Program, and vision coverage to all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the Hawaii National Guard ordered to active duty for more than 30 days in the service of the State.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY REVIEW BOARD.

Amends the quorum requirements to do business and validate acts of the Small Business Regulatory Review Board.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ZERO EMISSIONS CLEAN ECONOMY TARGET.

Provides needed clarifications on the applicability and scope of section 225P-5, HRS. Clarifies current emissions reduction goals and defines critical terms used in climate mitigation. Establishes a total or gross emissions target as well as sector-specific targets to reinforce action in the relevant emitting sectors further strengthening the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Modifies and improves the effectiveness of the renewable portfolio standards law, which stipulates the central role of Hawaii's electric utility companies in complying with the State's renewable energy and climate goals to address emerging trends.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS SERVICES.

Authorizes the Department of Education to use alternative vehicles for student transportation under certain conditions and appropriates funds for the purchase of alternative vehicles and individuals to obtain CDL licensure. Allows Department schools to initiate staggered start times. Appropriates funds.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO CULTURE.

Short form bill relating to culture.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY PROGRAMS.

Expands programming and training for the comprehensive offender reentry program under the department of corrections and rehabilitation to reduce the rate of recidivism and increase inmate marketability. Appropriates funds.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, (1) repeals the maximum tax rate that may be considered in determining the amount of income tax that must be withheld and the requirement that a standard deduction allowance be treated as if it was denominated as a withholding exemption, and (2) for the purpose of income tax withholding, permits the Director of Taxation to prescribe a standard deduction allowance in an amount more or less than one whole exemption.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAGE AND HOUR LAW.

Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to issue an order of wage payment violation to the employer found to be in violation of wage and hour provisions. Establishes penalties, enforcement, and appeal procedures. Amends the definition of "wage" to include compensation for labor or services rendered by an employee, whether the amount is determined on a time, task, piece, commission, or other basis of calculation.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII RETIREMENT SAVINGS ACT.

Clarifies the definition of "covered employer" under the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act. Requires covered employers to automatically enroll covered employees into the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program unless the covered employee chooses to opt out. Effective upon approval.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

Establishes a two-year digital youth mental health platform pilot project under which the child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health develops and makes publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as an investigator in a position identified by the Department of the Attorney General or the Department of Law Enforcement as a labor shortage or difficult—to-fill position, subject to certain conditions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction or the human resources management chief executive of each county to include in their annual reports to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as investigators.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat