Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO TAXES.

Excludes the sale of a motor vehicle to a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle as a sale at wholesale. Imposes the maximum allowable excise tax on the use of tangible personal property in the State for the importation or purchase of a motor vehicle by a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle. Establishes a Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund to pay a temporary hazard pay bonus to certain eligible teachers. Beginning 7/1/2026 until 7/1/2030, deposits the additional tax revenue generated by this Act into the Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free bus passes for students whose household qualifies the student for free lunch or reduced price lunch under the free and reduced price lunch program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Requires an employer to file a response, either accepting or objecting to a treatment plan, within seven days of receipt. Imposes a monetary penalty if an employer does not file a response within the seven-day period. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file certain documents within the seven-day period.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for biomarker testing.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO WAREHOUSE WORKERS.

Establishes the Warehouse Worker Protection Act. Requires certain warehouse employers to provide written descriptions of quotas to employees and maintain records of quotas and employee work speed data. Protects employees from quotas that would prevent compliance with meal or rest periods or the use of bathroom facilities. Allows employees to request a written description of their quota and employee work speed data. Requires the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the Act.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Allows public employers and exclusive representatives of bargaining units to negotiate certain retirement benefits.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO DISASTER SERVICES.

Amends the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency's functions to include ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and related federal and state disability access laws by integrating the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into emergency planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. Appropriates funds to establish a Disability Integration Specialist and for programming support for disability community projects.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale of flavored nicotine products and nicotine product flavor enhancers and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine free. Establishes penalties for violations. Authorizes the Department of Health to appoint, commission, or contract for services of inspectors. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Allocates twenty per cent of conveyance tax revenues to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Repeals the annual cap amount on the allocation of conveyance tax revenues to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

Extends the effective date of restrictions on the use of restrictive housing in correctional facilities to 7/1/2027. Extends the establishment of the Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group to 8/1/2026. Extends the date that the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation may implement recommendations of the working group to 12/1/2028. Amends procedures for restrictive housing. Amends circumstances under which restrictive housing may be used. Repeals requirements for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to post quarterly reports on the Department's website, update its policy and procedures manual in compliance with the restrictive housing restrictions, and report to the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Repeals requirements for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to review and monitor housing placements. Repeals the requirement that the Restrictive Housing Working Group make recommendations to the Legislature by 1/1/2027.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel distribution in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides $1 per gallon, increasing by 2 cents per additional 1 per cent emissions reduction, up to $2 per gallon. Caps total credits at $20,000,000 annually, with carryover provisions. Requires reporting to ensure transparency and compliance. Applies to taxable years after December 31, 2025, and sunsets on December 31, 2035.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Before January 1, 2028, requires every renewable energy source with measurable carbon dioxide emissions that is regulated by the Clean Air Branch of the Department of Health to operate an in-stack carbon dioxide continuous emissions monitoring system in each smokestack. Establishes carbon dioxide emissions rate standards for renewable energy sources for compliance with renewable portfolio standards.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PLANNED COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS.

Allows members of a planned community association to terminate the association with the approval of a plan of dissolution by 67% of the members of the association, a court of competent jurisdiction, and all holders of liens on association property. Enables the association board or other termination trustee to wind up the affairs of the association in accordance with the plan of dissolution.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY-BASED CARE.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules mandating that each primary caregiver and substitute caregiver in a Community Care Foster Family Home be a licensed nurse or certified nurse aide. Makes the requirements for primary and substitute caregivers applicable to all Community Care Foster Family Homes, regardless of the number of clients in the home.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOME CARE AGENCIES.

Prohibits a home care agency or person with a financial interest in the home care agency from providing home care services to a client if the home care agency or person owns or leases the client's residence.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

Prohibits the sale and distribution of single-use plastic service ware by food and beverage service businesses.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Requires government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses for persons who require rescue after leaving a hiking trail to enter an area closed to the public or hiking on a trail closed to the public, and there is a sign giving notice of the closure.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Part II: Requires certain priority level 1 cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected before 1/1/2035, and priority level 2 cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected before 1/1/2040, rather than before 1/1/2050. Part III: Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to implement the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project established pursuant to Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022. Part IV: Establishes an income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a qualified cesspool to a Director of Health-approved wastewater system or connecting to a sewerage system, and requires the Auditor to periodically review the tax credit.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO TIP CREDIT.

Beginning 1/1/2027, increases the tip credit amount to equal twenty-five per cent of the minimum wage. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to annually calculate the adjusted tip credit amount.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE PARKS SPECIAL FUND.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to expend the moneys from the State Parks Special Fund for programs aimed at environmental protection.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING.

Requires cardiovascular screening for students, including student athletes. Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to distribute educational and informational materials regarding sudden cardiac arrest. Requires the Department of Education to implement policies, programs, training, and continuing education that increase health care provider knowledge of cardiovascular screening guidelines.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Requires the Department of Education to authorize and facilitate complex areas or individual department schools to form their own farm to school meal programs through partnerships to meet the local farm to school meal goal of thirty per cent of food served in the school to consist of locally sourced products by 2030. Allows the Department of Education to establish a plant-based meal program no later than the 2026-2027 school year.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES.

Beginning July 1, 2027, requires certain sugar-sweetened beverages to contain an excessive sugars warning label. Establishes civil penalties. Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO AIRPORTS.

Requires the Department of Transportation to transition all motor vehicles used within airport grounds to zero emission vehicles to meet the State's zero emissions clean economy target.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to compile, maintain, and publish on its website a public inventory of underutilized public properties suitable for affordable rental housing development. Requires the HHFDC to provide legal and administrative assistance to requesting county agencies and eligible developers to accelerate the development of affordable rental housing projects. Establishes eligibility requirements for developers and rental housing projects seeking interim financing from the HHFDC. Establishes the Affordable Rental Supply Revolving Fund to be administered by the HHFDC to provide interim financing for eligible developers of approved rental housing projects. Establishes the Affordable Homeownership Program within the HHFDC to provide second mortgages to homebuyers under certain conditions. Establishes eligibility requirements for a homebuyer seeking a second mortgage from the HHFDC. Establishes the Affordable Homeownership Assistance Revolving Fund to be administered by the HHFDC. Appropriates funds.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Plant-Based Building Materials Working Group to study how best to grow plants, develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii, and provide economic development and green jobs while sequestering greenhouse gases to help achieve the State's climate target. Requires a report to the legislature.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Authorizes SHPD to conduct a phased review of a proposed project on private property under certain circumstances. Amends the process and deadlines by which SHPD must provide written concurrence or non-concurrence for a proposed project on private property or other project that requires entitlement for use, after which concurrence may be assumed and the project may proceed.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a Numeracy Coaching Program to provide numeracy coaches in certain Department of Education elementary schools, middle schools, and intermediate schools to support teachers, improve instruction, and ensure that students develop a strong foundation in mathematics. Appropriates funds.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires the payment of an Agricultural Land Conversion Fee by the buyer or lessee in a transaction for any agricultural land that will be converted from agricultural production for certain purposes. Establishes the Agricultural Land Conversion Fee Fund to, among other things, support the Health Soils Program. Requires all state lands used in the commercial production of agricultural commodities, including any lands under lease agreements with the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, to use an established metric to advance the adoption of conservation practices.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to establish an Agricultural Conservation Easement Program to purchase from willing private land owners agricultural conservation easements to preserve and protect the land for agricultural use in perpetuity. Establishes the Agricultural Conservation Easement Management Special Fund. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Establishes a lifecycle greenhouse gas emission intensity standard that an energy source must meet to be considered a renewable energy source. Excludes trees and woody products of trees from the definition of "renewable energy".

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Specifies a time limit for the validity of a finding of no significant impact of a final environmental assessment or acceptance of a final environmental impact statement for a proposed action. Requires an agency or applicant to commence a new environmental review process for the proposed action if the validity expires.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Phases in requirements that all newly manufactured washing machines sold within the State by January 1, 2042, be equipped with a microfiber filter. Requires certification that newly manufactured washing machines have microfiber filters. Establishes penalties.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to implement SolarAPP+ or a functionally equivalent online automated permitting platform that verifies code compliance and issues permits to licensed contractors for solar distributed energy resource systems in real-time by 1/1/2027. Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits in areas served by an investor-owned electric utility to adopt a self-certification process for solar distributed energy resource systems that are not SolarAPP+ compatible.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AIR POLLUTION.

Requires owners or operators of waste combustion facilities to develop a plan to implement continuous monitoring and sampling technologies at each combustion unit to monitor and sample for certain air contaminants. Requires a publicly available website hosted by the Department of Health to track and display the data collected on the air contaminants. Requires the Department of Health to adjust permit limits for air contaminants based on the data collected. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX.

Establishes a Solar Canopy Installation Tax Credit that applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Requires the Director of Taxation to take certain actions to implement the tax credit.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

For purposes of registering a condominium project in an agricultural district, (1) lowers the threshold from projects with five units to projects with two units for which a signed statement from a county is required and (2) requires a signed statement from the neighborhood board, if applicable.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits to implement SolarAPP+ or a functionally equivalent online automated permitting platform that verifies code compliance and issues permits to licensed contractors for solar distributed energy resource systems in real-time by 1/1/2026. Requires government entities in the State that issue building permits in areas served by an investor-owned electric utility to adopt a self-certification process for solar distributed energy resource systems that are not SolarAPP+ compatible.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CARBON OFFSETS.

Requires the Department of Transportation to assist and enable a person to voluntarily purchase a verified carbon offset for greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the person's air travel to or from an airport in the State.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Authorizes the Hawaii Medical Board to issue an active retired clinician license to retired physicians, osteopathic physicians, and surgeons with inactive Hawaii medical licenses to provide volunteer clinical work through community-based health care or public health organizations.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO IDENTITY THEFT.

Includes fraudulent impersonation or false depiction through artificial intelligence or materially deceptive media in the offenses of identity theft.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION.

Allows applicants for driver's permit, driver's license, or civil identification cards to request a nonapparent disability notation on their permit, license, or identification card.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Implements the Condominium Property Regime Task Force recommendations.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Exempts condominium associations and managing agents from providing documentation not already in existence or preparing forms to facilitate a private sales transaction.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Reduces condominium associations' cash flow plans from a thirty-year projection to a twenty-five-year projection of the association's future income and expenses to fully fund its replacement reserves requirements each year during that twenty-five-year period.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Requires that if parking is to be included in any new state building construction, the design provide that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Establishes provisions authorizing common interest associations to form and participate in residential association captive insurance companies under certain conditions. Authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to regulate residential association captive insurance companies.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Removes discriminatory requirements for mandatory insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization procedures to create parity of coverage for same-sex couples, unmarried individuals, transgender persons, and opposite-sex couples for whom male infertility is the relevant factor. Requires the insured or the insured's dependent spouse to have a history of infertility of at least six months' duration, rather than five years. Includes need for medical intervention to conceive due to physiological or anatomical factors.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Clarifies that a community association manager is an individual who is the managing agent responsible for the contracted management and oversight of a cooperative housing corporation, condominium association, or homeowners association. Amends the definition of "managing agent" to include a community association manager.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATIONS.

Expands the definition of condominium association to include associations organized under chapter 421J, HRS.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat