Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO DIGITAL FINANCIAL ASSET TRANSACTION KIOSKS.

Establishes limits on transactions through digital financial asset transaction kiosks. Prohibits (1) the exchanging of United States currency, in an amount greater than $100, from new customers for digital financial assets; (2) any two customers from transacting to the same digital financial asset wallet address; and (3) beginning 1/1/2030, the exchange of United States currency from customers for digital financial assets. Requires operators of digital financial asset transaction kiosks to use blockchain analytics and tracing software to prevent fraud; make certain disclosures; provide receipts to customers; provide full refunds under certain circumstances; and provide live customer service and a dedicated communications line for the Attorney General, Office of Consumer Protection, Department of Law Enforcement, and county police departments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program to be administered by the Department of Law Enforcement to provide $15,000 retention bonuses to eligible sworn law enforcement officers that have worked a minimum of two thousand hours during the preceding fiscal year, subject to collective bargaining negotiations. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Appropriates funds for the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to provide $15,000 retention bonuses to all eligible sworn law enforcement officers who meet specified requirements. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to verify eligibility. Appropriates funds for the payment of retention bonuses.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

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

Establishes a continuous Legislature beginning in January 2031. Defines each regular session to be two calendar years. Requires the Legislature to convene on the first and third weeks of each month except for two months before a general or primary election. Repeals language regarding special sessions, adjournment, and recesses. Establishes procedures for the carry-over of bills from the first to the second year of a regular session. Establishes deadlines for certain bills to be submitted for gubernatorial consideration. Standardizes the number of days that the Governor must approve or veto a bill submitted for consideration. Repeals the Governor's ability to appoint an interim position if a vacancy occurs while the Senate is not in session. Establishes salaries of the members of the Legislature pursuant to recommendations by the Commission on Salaries submitted during the 2030 regular session, unless those recommendations are amended by law.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies insurance requirements for single-family and multi-family housing projects to obtain expedited permitting from county agencies. Clarifies that state or county inspectors shall inspect all projects with expedited permits. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENEWABLE FUELS PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT.

Expands the provisions of the renewable fuels production tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

Establishes the offense of criminal property damage to critical infrastructure facilities as a class C felony. Expands the term "critical infrastructure" to include broadband, wireless, and cable networks. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO TREES.

Establishes base selection criteria for designating exceptional trees. Establishes the significant tree designation, selection criteria, and related processes. Establishes the State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. Requires County Arborist Advisory Committees to have at least five members, adopt new exceptional tree selection criteria, and designate significant trees. Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to cooperate with State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the Exceptional Trees Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO A BLUE ECONOMY.

Establishes the Blue Economy Working Group to study how to develop and support marine-based economic activities that align with the State's decarbonization and restorative food production goals. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ADAPTATION PATHWAYS PLANNING.

Expands the authority of the State and counties to develop adaptation pathways plans to modify and relocate infrastructure away from critically threatened areas to locations outside sea level rise and coastal flooding exposure areas. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRIVOLTAICS.

Requires a landowner leasing agricultural sub-parcels on property used for agrivoltaics to prioritize lease offers for beginning farmers. Requires a landowner leasing agricultural sub-parcels on property used for agrivoltaics to submit an annual agrivoltaics compliance report to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Authorizes DAB to penalize any landowner that fails to meet agrivoltaics requirements. Authorizes the development of solar energy facilities on agricultural lands with productivity ratings of B, C, or D under certain conditions. Authorizes a county planning commission to issue special permits for agrivoltaics requirements before the approval of the Land Use Commission under certain conditions. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study the impacts of disallowing the dividends paid deduction for real estate investment trusts. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Authorizes the counties to close or restrict public lands under the county's jurisdiction when necessary to protect public health, ensure public safety, or preserve natural or cultural resources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF TIME SHARES.

Provides that applications for registration renewal required by section 514E-10, HRS, shall be deemed approved upon delivery. Provides that any amendment to a required time share plan registration shall be deemed approved by operation of law on the sixtieth day after the amendment is submitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, unless the Director issues a deficiency letter within that period. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO OUTDOOR SIGNAGE.

Allows the display of outdoor advertising devices, including digital outdoor signage devices, within the Stadium Development District with the authorization of the Stadium Authority and subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a study on the impacts of light pollution associated with the devices and report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS.

Requires the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to make certain contact information for newly registered entities available online. Requires the Director to transmit the contact information to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's Business Development and Support Division. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to: (1) Establish a four-year Restorative Aquaculture Development Program to reduce aquaculture permit processing time, support aquaculture infrastructure expansion, increase the aquaculture workforce, and pursue federal aquaculture grants; (2) Establish three pilot demonstration sites for restorative aquaculture; and (3) Convene a Restorative Aquaculture Advisory Council. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Requires the Office of Consumer Protection to periodically publish an accessible, multilingual notice of tenant rights. Requires the notice to be included in the informational handbook on the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code maintained by the Office. Requires a landlord to provide a tenant with a copy of the most recent notice of tenant rights in the tenant's preferred language, if available, and subjects the landlord to a fine for failure to do so. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, a working group to make recommendations to revise the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's Qualified Allocation Plan and propose revisions to the prioritization of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund and the terms of loans made from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

Establishes a Regular Session Review Working Group to determine the essential timing and effective framework for a lengthened legislative session calendar for election and non-election years. Requires the Working Group to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature before the convening of the Regular Session of 2028. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to assist the Working Group in finalizing its report and drafting any proposed legislation. Appropriates fund. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

Makes both the representative of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii and the representative of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii permanent standing members of the State Building Code Council, instead of members who alternate terms every 4 years. Adds members representing the Plumbers and Fitters United Association, Local 675 and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1186 to the State Building Code Council. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO TREES.

Requires State departments, offices, and agencies to ensure and enforce that all arborists and other professionals in its employ, including contractors, who manage trees or lands that will impact public trees adhere to best management practices. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Gradually increases the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security tax rates and establishes a refundable carbon cashback tax credit to offset increases for most taxpayers. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO NEONICOTINOIDS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale, possession, or use of a pesticide containing one or more neonicotinoid pesticides, under certain conditions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to evaluate the potential impacts of and adopt any necessary control measures for neonicotinoid pesticide use on pollinating insects, native migratory and resident birds, aquatic organisms, and human health. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

Requires the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative Program to design and implement a plan to increase jobs that strengthen emergency preparedness and climate resilience. Authorizes the use of the Energy Security Special Fund to advance the State's goals of strengthening emergency preparedness and climate mitigation.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Farmland Transition Commission to examine barriers certain farmers face when trying to purchase or access farmland and provide recommendations on possible incentives or policies to assist these individuals in purchasing or accessing farmland. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Sunsets 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

Authorizes a court to modify sentences imposed on juvenile offenders if certain conditions are met and the court finds that, after considering certain factors, the defendant is not a danger to the safety of any person or the community and the modification is in the interests of justice. Establishes procedures, provides for hearings and representation by counsel, and authorizes appellate review. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS.

Requires that an environmental assessment be conducted and an environmental impact statement be prepared for any proposed use within historic properties designated by the Hawaii or National Register of Historic Places, important to native Hawaiian people or to another ethnic group of the State, or determined to be eligible as a traditional cultural property or place on the National Register of Historic Places. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY.

Appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and converts the position from temporary to permanent. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Codifies the Agricultural Statistics Program in statute. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Directs the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XVII, SECTION 3 OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO SPECIFY THAT THE STANDARD FOR VOTER APPROVAL OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE LEGISLATURE IS A MAJORITY OF ALL THE VOTES TALLIED UPON THE QUESTION.

Proposes to amend article XVII, section 3, of the Hawaii State Constitution regarding the standard for ratification of a constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature, to provide that proposed amendments shall be effective only if approved at a general election by a majority of all the votes tallied upon the question. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

Requires that whenever there is a difference between the English and Hawaii version of law that is material to its interpretation, priority shall be given to the language that aligns with the intent of the legislature as evidenced by legislative history, context, and purpose. Clarifies that Hawaiian shall not be required for public acts and transactions, but is welcomed. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

Amends the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA) to require contractors who perform agency functions to retain records following the retention schedule of the agency and to provide the agency access to the records upon request. Establishes that all records retained by an agency function contractor shall be deemed government records for the purposes of the UIPA. Exempts contracts entered into by the Employees' Retirement System. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE.

Prohibits claims for refunds, reimbursements, or other payments, authorization for which is sought from the Legislature that exceed the time limitations of section 40-68, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from being claimed. Requires the Attorney General to submit a confidential report within five days after the opening of a Regular Session to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees that provides a good faith estimate of each possible judgment against the State that has not yet settled. Requires the Attorney General to submit a report every five years to the Legislature containing further incidents that occurred in an agency that led to a claim. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING FOR CANDIDATES TO ELECTED OFFICE.

Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State, to begin with the 2028 general election year. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates funds for the removal of overgrown vegetation from the Kainahola Stream drainageway. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS.

Authorizes the Agricultural Loan Division of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to sell portions of its loan portfolio to permitted third parties, with proceeds to be deposited into the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds out of the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund to increase its expenditure ceiling and thereby expand access to agricultural loan financing and support local food production. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.

Makes permanent, rather than repealing upon the adoption of relevant administrative rules, the Department of Land and Natural Resources' authority to establish a transaction fee for certain services rendered by the Bureau of Conveyances for each recording in the Bureau of Conveyances and Land Court. Amends the authorized uses of moneys in the Bureau of Conveyances Special Fund. Repeals language that required the Bureau of Conveyances' microfilm fees to be established by rules. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Increases the contract award value that triggers required proof of vendor compliance from $2,500 to $5,000. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Requires cooperative housing corporation proxy forms to include certain language related to the selection options for proxies. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Specifies that all condominium associations, boards, and managing agents are required to comply with any applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTH CARE.

Requires health care providers using artificial intelligence (AI) in patient interactions to disclose to the patient that the patient is interacting with artificial intelligence. Requires health care providers using AI in making consequential decisions relating to the patient to provide certain notice and statements to the patient; maintain a qualified AI oversight personnel who shall be a natural person that reviews, evaluates, and validates or overrides AI outputs; monitor and conduct regular performance evaluations of their AI systems; implement procedures to address identified deficiencies; and maintain certain records. Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules. Implementation effective 7/1/2028. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EXCITED DELIRIUM.

Prohibits excited delirium from being recognized as a valid medical diagnosis or cause of death in the State. Prohibits a medical examiner, coroner, or health care provider from stating on a certificate of death or in any report that the cause of death was excited delirium. Prohibits law enforcement officers from using the term excited delirium to describe an individual in an incident report. Establishes a new Hawaii Rule of Evidence that deems evidence that a person experienced or suffered an excited delirium inadmissible in a civil action. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO HOSPITAL PRICE TRANSPARENCY.

Requires each hospital licensed in the State to provide an annual attestation to the State Health Planning and Development Agency that the hospital is in compliance with federal hospital price transparency requirements. Permits patients to file a counterclaim against debt collection actions filed by hospitals to determine if the hospital is in compliance with federal hospital price transparency requirements. Requires hospitals to provide patients with an easy-to-understand itemized bill statement before initiating a debt collection action against a patient. Effective 1/30/2050. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Repeals statutory language that currently authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to: (1) inspect a qualifying medical cannabis patient's medical records held by the health provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient; and (2) suspend or revoke a health provider's ability to issue written certification for medical cannabis if the provider refuses the foregoing inspection, or if the medical records do not comply with the medical use of cannabis law.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Establishes the Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Division within the Department of Law Enforcement. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS.

Establishes a goal for the State to achieve a ranking among the top 10 states in the nation for business competitiveness by 2045. Defines and requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to select a "ranking metric" and establishes interim goals. Requires DBEDT to establish a working group to develop and recommend policies that improve Hawaii's business competitiveness. Requires annual reports to Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires Huli Au Ola to conduct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention to be located on and serve the island of Molokai. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO POLLUTION.

Requires the Department of Health to establish and administer a centralized reporting system for the public to report solid waste pollution complaints. Increases penalties for solid waste pollution violations. Establishes a state-county illegal dumping task force and reporting requirements. Increases penalties for felony and petty misdemeanor disposal of solid waste. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat