Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for full-arch dental implants that are medically necessary.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to quarantine any business or other area that is known or reasonably suspected to be infested or infected with any pest. Authorizes the Department to establish interim rules governing the transportation of any material into and within the State known to harbor or transport a high-impact invasive species or pest. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO RIGHT-OF-ENTRY PERMITS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources establish, maintain, and update a public database of each right-of-entry area eligible for a right-of-entry permit. Requires DLNR to develop and publish on its website criteria for the addition of a right-of-entry area to the public database or the removal of a right-of-entry area from the public database. Requires DLNR to notify the public and seek public input before the addition of a right-of-entry area to the public database or the removal of a right-of-entry area from the public database. Authorizes DLNR to remove right-of-entry area from the database without advance public notice in the case of an emergency. Requires DLNR to establish and maintain a public changelog documenting each addition to, or removal from, the public database. Requires DLNR to notify a permittee whose access to a right-of-entry area has been revoked before the date of permissible use. Requires DLNR to establish an administrative hearing and review process. Allows permittees whose access has been revoked to seek reimbursement. Requires DLNR to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Hawaii Film Office. Requires DLNR to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Requires DLNR to revise the terms and conditions of its Wiki Permits service. Requires DLNR to ensure that all Wiki Permits forms, digital interfaces, and permit workflows are consistent. Appropriates funds.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation or a county to accept a complete application seeking certain exemptions within 30 days. Requires HHFDC to process an application and bring it before the Corporation's Board of Directors within 120 days of accepting the application. Requires county agencies to process an application and bring it before the county's legislative body within 120 days of accepting the application. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

Establishes an Industrial Hemp Program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity that includes education and support for non-cannabinoid industrial hemp cultivation and use. Establishes the Industrial Hemp Program Advisory Board to develop a strategic plan to establish and expand the processing infrastructure and commercialization of industrial hemp. Requires the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to support research and development focused on local adaptation, sustainability, and economic development goals. Requires DAB to promote partnerships with Native Hawaiian practitioners, cooperatives, and aina-based programs. Adopts state building codes for hemp-based materials, including hempcrete. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLE TITLES.

Requires the county Director of Finance to issue a temporary, three-year title to an applicant in cases where no prior title exists, the prior owner is unable to provide one, or the Director is otherwise not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle. Requires the applicant to provide a surety bond and certain documentation to the Director. Allows for a right of action against the surety bond and temporary title. Requires the temporary title to convert to a full title after three years unless a suit has been instituted against the temporary title.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact. Implementation effective January 1, 2028. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Authorizes a person to remove their name from a certificate of registration from a motor vehicle if that person is party to a divorce decree that states that title to the motor vehicle was granted to the other party.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes a Teacher Workforce Housing Stipend Program at public schools classified as rural or underserved. Requires the Department of Education to administer the program and report findings to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE-OWNED HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND INHERITED LANDS.

Establishes the State-Owned Historic Properties Preservation Plan Working Group within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to ensure the preservation of state-owned historic properties and inherited lands. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and conduct a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Program. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report to the Legislature and adopt administrative rules. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS.

Establishes a Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group within the Department of Health to assess the feasibility of allowing business owners in the State to utilize filtered water collected by water catchment systems for business activities. Requires the Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2028 and dissolve on 6/30/2028. Appropriates funds.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO CLAIMS AGAINST HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

Part II - Requires health care professionals, and courts and agencies in receipt of the filing, to report to the respective licensing board any legal or administrative complaint, claim, or action for damages filed against the health care professional within thirty days of receipt of the filing. Requires review by the licensing boards. Requires filings against physicians, osteopathic physicians, or podiatrists to be reported to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Requires self‑insured health care providers and professional liability insurers for health care providers to report to the Insurance Commissioner any medical tort claims filed with the court and requires the Insurance Commissioner to forward certain information to the appropriate professional board or the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Part III – Extends the time frame by which a medical tort action can be brought and establishes additional tolling conditions. Increases the cap on damages recoverable for pain and suffering in medical tort actions.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Establishes a three-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program to be administered by the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to subsidize the cost of certain health insurance deductibles for eligible individuals. Authorizes the Department to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program; provided that the Department shall allow the operator to access state-backed reinsurance or risk stabilization support for the operation of the Pilot Program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE PLANS FOR WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, to establish and implement a five-year voluntary Nontraditional Workforce Portable Health Care Benefit Plan Pilot Program that offers high deductible health plans or catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers who are ineligible for health benefits provided by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund or prepaid health care plans under the Prepaid Health Care Act. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

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 CHILD CUSTODY.

Allows licensed mental health counselors to be appointed as child custody evaluators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a School Bus Driver Recruitment Grant Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Recruitment Special Fund. Establishes a Repayment Signing Bonus Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Outreach and Pathway Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Repeals biomass from the renewable portfolio standard definition of "renewable energy".

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE FUEL TANK ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Requires the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee to hold at least one regular meeting during each calendar quarter. Requires the Advisory Committee to hold one regular meeting each year that convenes outside of normal business hours. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS.

Requires state agencies that monitor environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels (EALs) to ensure the preservation of a safe environment. Prohibits modifications to EALs unless certain procedural requirements are met. Establishes a process to allow any resident to petition for modifications to an established EAL. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

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 WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Requires certain wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material intended for land application for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Director of Health to adopt rules for the monitoring, sampling, testing, and data collection of sewage sludge and other residual material at wastewater treatment works that contain PFAS. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

Establishes the Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Appropriates funds. Requires DAB to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.

Establishes a Clean Plant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to support the production, maintenance, and distribution of disease-free, clean plant material to growers, nurseries, and other agricultural producers in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SOLID WASTE POLLUTION.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt by 12/31/2027, rules setting forth performance and emission standards for large municipal waste combustor plants operating within the State, in compliance with proposed federal rules. Beginning 1/1/2028, requires large municipal waste combustor plants operating within the State to comply with the rules.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides. Appropriates funds. 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 PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Establishes certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Implements a phased repeal of the state general excise tax on the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs in the State. Prohibits counties from establishing county surcharges on the state general excise tax on gross income or gross proceeds from the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs in the State. Prohibition on county surcharges to be repealed on 12/31/2030.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM.

Repeals provisions requiring all deposit beverage distributors to send monthly or semi-annual distribution reports and supporting records to the Department of Health; develop and submit to the program for approval, an internal control process to ensure accurate data reporting and adequate record maintenance; and obtain biennial independent audits.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Prohibits the sale of nonprescription diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building to any person under eighteen years of age. Requires retail establishments and delivery sellers to follow certain protocols regarding certain products to prevent access by minors to the restricted products. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO LUNG CANCER SCREENING.

Requires the Department of Health to develop by 12/31/2026, standardized educational materials relating to lung cancer screening and language on lung cancer screening information to be included in signage and written notices to be used by retailers of tobacco products. Beginning 1/1/2027, requires retailers engaged in the retail sale of tobacco products to display signage on lung cancer screening at each point of sale and provide written notice on lung cancer screening to each buyer of a tobacco product.

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 LICENSURE.

Requires marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, psychologists, and clinical social workers to complete courses related to domestic violence for licensure and renewals.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ADDITIVES IN FOOD.

Beginning January 1, 2027, bans the manufacture, sale, offer of sale, or distribution in the State of any food for human consumption that contains petroleum-based synthetic food dyes and synthetic chemical additives. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PLANT-BASED FOOD AND DRINKS.

Requires the Departments of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Accounting and General Services, and Health to establish a Plant-Based-By-Default Program for food and drinks offered at state-operated prisons, state-licensed hospitals, and government-sponsored events. Requires annual reports to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve any disciplinary action, unless prohibited by the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Amends the collective bargaining negotiation procedure on the repricing of classes within a bargaining unit for public employees. Establishes an impasse procedure to be applied when an employer fails to initiate the negotiation or the parties fail to reach an agreement within 90 days. Repeals existing law that requires a different impasse procedure to apply in those situations. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

Requires the Attorney General to establish a confidential process for persons to anonymously file complaints against public employees. Requires the Attorney General to review and forward the complaints to the department, board, commission, or agency deemed appropriate by the Attorney General. Requires the departments, boards, commissions, and agencies to process the complaint pursuant to their standard complaint-processing procedures and report the disposition to the Attorney General. Authorizes the Attorney General to adopt rules. Requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND.

Allows impasses and disputes relating to the amounts of State and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to be resolved by arbitration. Repeals the prohibition against strikes by members of bargaining units on the issue of the amounts of State and county contributions to the Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO INDEBTEDNESS TO THE STATE.

Repeals the requirement that the disbursing officer immediately begin recovery of the indebtedness regardless of a pending contested case. Amends the maximum amount that a disbursing officer may deduct from an employee's salary, wage, or compensation as recovery of an employee's indebtedness to 5% of the employee's gross income per pay period, with exceptions. Requires a written statement to be provided to the employee at least thirty calendar days before the deduction. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.

Requires the State or a county to reimburse an officer or employee for work-related travel costs that the officer or employee loaned to the State or a county within 30 calendar days of submitting an approved Statement of Completed Travel with detailed expenditures and related receipts. Requires the State or a county to pay interest on a loan not reimbursed within 30 days until the loan is fully reimbursed. Obligates an officer or employee to request a complete refund from the travel vendor for travel not taken through no fault of their own, and entitles an officer or employee to reimbursement from the State or a county when a travel vendor offers no or a partial refund. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

Requires the State, Legislature, and counties to amend rules and policies to ensure that certain employees can transfer accrued vacation and sick leaves if rehired by the State or a county within one calendar year of separation under certain conditions. Extends the allowable break in service for purposes of determining certain state and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund from ninety calendar days to 180 calendar dars under certain conditions. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet 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 a news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window during broadcasts of official emergency announcements.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO CAFETERIA PLANS.

Specifies that the maximum contribution and carryover amounts for a public service flexible spending account plan shall be set in accordance with the annual limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service for cafeteria plans. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat