Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to use public-private partnerships for the development of public school facilities, including facilities at public charter schools. Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a pilot program to develop three new public schools in areas based on demonstrated need through public-private partnerships. Requires the approval of the Department of Education prior to the development of a public school for the pilot program on Department lands. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for businesses to: advertise, display, or offer the price of live-ticket events or short-term lodging without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; and misrepresent any fees or charges in any offer, display, or advertisement for the sale of live‑event tickets or short-term lodging. Specifies that any advertisement, display, or offer of short-term lodging or live-event tickets in compliance with the federal Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees are in compliance with this Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Until 12/31/2031, specifies that captive insurance companies that are not risk retention captive insurance companies are subject to examination no later than five years after licensure and any additional examination at the discretion of the Insurance Commissioner. On or after 1/1/2032, subjects captive insurance companies that are not risk retention captive insurance companies to examination at least once every five years. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC.

Beginning 7/1/2028, allows chiropractic students enrolled in an accredited doctor of chiropractic program to engage in clinical training involving the practice of chiropractic as part of the completion of their degree, under certain conditions. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes supporting documents used to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle to an insurance company after payment of damages from the result of a total loss insurance settlement to be signed electronically. Requires insurance companies to indemnify and hold harmless the Director of Finance for any claims resulting from the issuance of motor vehicle titles utilizing documents signed electronically without a notary. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits law enforcement officers from using any personnel or funds originating in the State to assist or facilitate conduct by federal immigration agents that is for the purposes of civil immigration enforcement or exceeds their law enforcement duty or authority. Prohibits law enforcement officers from assisting or cooperating with or allowing resources to be used to facilitate federal immigration agents engaged in operations with the purpose of civil immigration enforcement or that target individuals or entities engaged in certain activities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Specifies the conditions upon which the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation may transfer moneys from within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to a subaccount and between subaccounts of the revolving fund. Authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be used to provide any and all forms of financing. Expands the funding priorities of, and appropriates funds into and out of, the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/30 with regard to the financing and funding priorities of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies the Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program by: (1) allowing the Hawaii Community Development Authority to prohibit renting, advertising for rent, or using for any other purpose other than owner-occupied residential use a residential condominium unit, by rule, rather than statutorily; (2) exempting the design, development, and construction contracts from procurement requirements, subject to prevailing wage requirements for laborers and mechanics; (3) requiring HCDA to adopt rules to implement an initial sales period during which residential condominium units are offered only to eligible buyers for owner-occupied residential use; (4) authorizing the sale of a residential condominium unit that is not subject to an income restriction and was not sold within a certain period to be sold to other buyers, as determined by rule by HCDA, without an owner-occupancy requirement; (5) requiring HCDA to adopt rules that require at least sixty per cent of residential condominium units to be income restricted; and (6) requiring HCDA to establish rules to require buyback pricing similar to other state agencies' existing pricing formulas. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications that include changing the method for computation of interest for purchasers of certain real property. Expands the use of proceeds in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to include purchasing equity in for-sale housing development projects and interim primary or secondary financing. Exempts disbursements from the Affordable Housing Revolving Fund from appropriation and allotment requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FACILITIES.

Exempts concessions within the Stadium Facility that are under the jurisdiction of the Stadium Authority from chapter 102, HRS. Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived from advertising or marketing in or on the Stadium Facility to be deposited into the Stadium Development Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROCUREMENT.

Requires purchasing agencies to apply a five per cent flat rate local preference in evaluating bids or proposals from qualified Hawaii bidders or offerors who submit a timely preference certification. Establishes criteria for a bid or proposal to qualify for a local preference. Establishes requirements for the qualification and certification of Hawaii bidders and offerors and consequences for failure to maintain qualification. Requires the Procurement Policy Board to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/2525. (HD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Specifies that implementation is contingent upon and only to the extent approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Establishes a PFAS Working Group within the Department of Health to investigate the existence and environmental dangers of per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE.

Updates and establishes additional statewide goals for solid waste stream and organic waste stream diversion. Requires the recycling, bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component to identify and assess methods to achieve certain organic waste stream reduction goals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

Beginning 7/1/2026, authorizes the use of hemp or hemp-derived feed ingredients in commercial feed in the State, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO JURISDICTION.

Amends the factors the Family Court is required to consider in deciding whether the court may waive jurisdiction over a minor held for criminal proceedings. Preserves the Family Court's jurisdiction over a minor transferred for criminal proceedings for subsequent acts that would otherwise be within the Family Court's jurisdiction. Establishes a minimum age of fourteen years for a minor to be waived into another court for murder or attempted murder. Requires the Family Court to retain jurisdiction over a minor if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the minor was trafficked, sexually abused, or raped by the alleged victim in the case, either before or during the commission of the alleged offense. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMUNICATIONS.

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to develop and implement a statewide public education and communications program to promote household emergency preparedness consistent with the Agency's 14-day essential supplies recommendation. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official live broadcast during a state of emergency. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide a primary pool feed that includes the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture‑in‑picture window. Requires reports to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health Incentive Program within the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING.

Allows the Department of Education to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires that unlicensed teachers hired on an emergency basis make continuous and verifiable progress toward satisfying licensing requirements. Sunsets on 6/30/2031. (HD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVACY.

Establishes the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images or private images as a criminal offense. Amends the criteria for an extended term of imprisonment to include an offender whose act of attempting to commit or committing the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images or private images against a minor or vulnerable adult was the proximate cause of the victim's death. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO COUNTY LABOR STANDARDS.

Authorizes counties to require contractors to disclose employee wage, benefit, hour, and employment‑status information. Authorizes counties, under certain conditions, to deny, revoke, or suspend building permits for violations of related laws. Establishes a process by which an owner or developer may replace a noncompliant contractor and transfer the building permit to the replacement contractor. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER.

Establishes an order of succession for an Interim Chief Election Officer in the event of a vacancy in the position of Chief Election Officer until the Elections Commission appoints a new Chief Election Officer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO INCREASE THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR STATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to convene a Bona Fide Farmer Working Group to develop multi-tiered, matrix-based definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire by condemnation any real property or interest in real property, except public lands, under certain conditions. Prohibits any real property acquired by the Corporation by condemnation from subsequently being transferred or taken for any other public use without the Corporation's consent. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO DISPOSABLE ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale, offer for sale, or distribution for sale of any disposable electronic smoking devices in the State. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.

Requires a person who applies for an identification card or driver's license to be automatically registered to vote unless the person affirmatively declines, subject to certain conditions. Requires the name and address of a person who applies for an identification card or driver's license and is registered to vote to be automatically updated on the person's voter registration record unless the person affirmatively declines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO POLITICAL FUNDRAISING BY EXECUTIVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES.

Prohibits any Executive Branch employee who is nominated or appointed by the Governor to a compensated position subject to confirmation by the Senate and who exercises authority or significant influence over the solicitation, award, or administration of state contracts, from engaging in certain campaign fundraising activities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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

Establishes the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO EQUITY.

Requires all places of public accommodation and public entity construction projects planned and designed after 7/31/2027 to provide at least one universal changing accommodation within the building in a public restroom, with certain exceptions. Makes conforming amendments to sections 489-6, 489-7.5, and 489-8, HRS, to prevent conflicts among the provisions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOSPITAL LICENSING.

Permits hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOME HEALTH LICENSING.

Authorizes the Department of Health to accept accreditation from an accreditation organization or a certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as demonstration that a licensed home health agency is in compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State. Specifies conditions under which a home health agency may be exempt from a licensing inspection on a continuing basis. Requires information obtained in reports of survey and accreditation or certification letters to be public information. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Program to create career pipelines in the fields of agriculture and agricultural technology. Requires the University of Hawaii to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and appropriate community organizations to develop and administer the program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUG.

Establishes a two-year Two-Lined Spittlebug Response Pilot Program to mitigate and control the spread of the two-lined spittlebug. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts certain positions under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) from the requirement that the employment actions and job descriptions of HHFDC officers and employees be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Increases the salary cap for the Executive Director of HHFDC. Renames the position of Executive Assistant to Deputy Executive Director for HHFDC and increases the salary cap for the Deputy Executive Director. Establishes the Finance Manager position within HHFDC. Establishes a cap on the term of employment contracts for HHFDC and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES.

Clarifies that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who meet an intermediate care facility or nursing facility level of care shall not be denied residency in a certified community care foster family home solely because of their disability or enrollment in a specific Medicaid waiver program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT STATE SMALL BOAT HARBORS AND STATE PARKS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to engage in certain capital improvement projects at state small boat harbors and state parks without prior approval from the Legislature and Governor for existing facilities. Requires quarterly reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 5 years after the effective date. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.

Establishes a three-year pilot program in the County of Kauai to allow qualified psychologists under the supervision of a supervising psychiatrist limited authority to prescribe certain psychotropic medications to patients between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five years under the care of the psychologist. Requires employers to report adverse events, patient outcomes, and escalation protocols relating to services provided under the pilot program to the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Requires the Board of Psychology to adopt rules. Requires the State Health Planning and Development Agency to report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/2031. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO VETERINARY MEDICINE.

Requires veterinarians to provide a written prescription, upon the request of a client, for any animal patient of a client with whom the veterinarian has established an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship, to be filled at the pharmacy of the client's choosing. Allows pharmacies licensed in the State to dispense medications prescribed by veterinarians. Specifies that violators may be subject to disciplinary action by the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine, which may include fines or suspension or revocation of a license. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement agencies unless the user consents, the law enforcement agency obtains a judicial warrant, or there is an emergency situation involving a clear and present danger of imminent death or great bodily harm. Prohibits operators from requiring users to consent to the sharing of data with law enforcement agencies as a condition of using a smart household security device. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

Amends the membership and responsibilities of the Public Land Trust Working Group established under Act 226, SLH 2022. Requires the Working Group to submit four reports to the Legislature: by 8/1/2026, a first interim report regarding the public land trust inventory; by 12/1/2026, a second interim report regarding Act 178, SLH 2006, financial reporting and accounting; by 6/1/2027, a preliminary draft settlement of the income and proceeds from OHA's pro rata portion of the public land trust; and by 10/1/2027, a final report that includes a final draft settlement. Requires the State, OHA, and other applicable parties to begin preliminary negotiations regarding the final draft settlement by 10/1/2027. Appropriates funds for the Legislative Reference Bureau to retain independent third-party professionals for the Working Group and requires matching funds from OHA. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

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 a law enforcement officer stationed at a public school as a school resource officer as a labor shortage or difficult-to-fill positions, 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 school resource officers or investigators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO DOG ATTACKS.

Clarifies owner liability and increases penalties and enforcement mechanisms for dog attacks on livestock occurring on land or premises within the agricultural district. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Requires the University of Hawaii System to collect, maintain, and publish standardized program-level data for each academic program offered. Requires maintenance of an online dashboard with program-level data. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Authorizes the University of Hawaii to engage in enterprise-related activities for educational purposes exempt from certain county zoning requirements, under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a Biosecurity Government-Industry Working Group. Clarifies that the Department and the counties, including officers, employees, and authorized agents of the Department and counties, shall not be liable for costs relating to the entering of private property to control and eradicate pests. Allows the use of certain monofilament netting for the protection of plants against invasive species. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules allowing the sale and distribution of fine mesh nets, including monofilament netting, in the State to protect plants from the coconut rhinoceros beetle. (SD2)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.

Establishes and appropriates funds in the form of grants for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program under the Department of Human Services to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

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. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Amends the Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit by: Limiting claims for certain solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems and installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $175,000 or less if filing as an individual, $262,500 or less if filing as a head of household, or $350,000 or less if filing jointly; increasing the maximum adjusted gross income an individual taxpayer must be below in order to be eligible to have any excess credits refunded and limiting credit refundability to systems that are not third-party financed systems; and prohibiting a taxpayer from claiming a credit for a renewable energy technology system installed and placed in service on a residential property where the taxpayer has claimed a credit in prior taxable years. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 1/1/2029. (SD2)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat