Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION.

Establishes an investigator position in the Campaign Spending Commission. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO A WEALTH ASSET TAX.

Beginning January 1, 2030, establishes a wealth asset tax of one per cent of the state net worth of each individual taxpayer who holds $20,000,000 or more in assets in the State. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FERAL PIGS.

Creates an expedited permitting process to authorize the destruction or control of feral pigs on privately owned land, if the feral pigs have caused or are likely to cause substantial damage to agricultural or aquacultural crops, indigenous plants or wildlife, or pose a threat to human health and safety.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO TWO-WHEELED MOTORIZED VEHICLES.

Repeals the exception for when a person is not required to wear a safety helmet when operating a moped or motor scooter leased from a rental company. Requires operators and passengers of motorcycles to wear safety helmets with securely fastened chin straps while operating two-wheeled motorized vehicles on highways, streets, roadways, or any other public property in the State. Requires all renters or lessees of an electric foot scooter to wear a safety helmet regardless of their age. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to conduct a study on methods to support department schools that may be impacted by electric utilities' planned public safety power shutoff program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO LITERACY.

Requires the Department of Education to administer a general dyslexia screening to all students in kindergarten through grade three. Requires the Department of Education to continue to administer the general English language arts universal screening for students in kindergarten through grade nine. Requires the Department of Education to collaborate with teacher training programs to ensure prospective candidates are trained on literacy instruction, including evidence-based intervention, to support all students. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST MINORS.

Increases the penalty for promoting minor-produced sexual images to a felony if the person is more than three years older than the minor. Extends the probationary term for felony obscenity offenses. Tolls the statute of limitations for obscenity offenses during a victim's minority. Requires sex offender registration for felony obscenity offenses involving minors. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

Establishes safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.

Clarifies the Hawaii Public Housing Authority?s powers relating to housing projects. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Defines the term "agricultural tourism" and includes it in the definition of "enterprise" to authorize the Agribusiness Development Corporation to financially support farming businesses engaged in agricultural tourism. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

REYES ODA

RELATING TO WATER.

Establishes a public trust purpose for the Commission on Water Resource Management. Allows the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent counsel. Repeals the First Deputy to the Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management. Establishes the Executive Director of the Commission on Water Resource Management. Administratively attaches the Commission on Water Resource Management to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Authorizes members of the Commission on Water Resource Management to be eligible to serve as chairperson. Requires the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Director of Health to serve as ex officio voting members ineligible to serve as chairperson. Authorizes entities to whom an emergency order is directed to challenge the order under certain conditions. Clarifies the notification requirements and contents of declarations of water shortages. Establishes fines. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AQUACULTURE INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT.

For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025, establishes a 5-year aquaculture investment tax credit for taxpayers that incur qualifying investment costs relating to qualified aquaculture businesses. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates funds to establish positions within the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO FISHERIES.

Exempts actions involving the operation and management of fisheries in the State from environmental review requirements.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls in the fourth quarter due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INDEBTEDNESS TO THE STATE.

Requires disbursing officers to notify employees within sixty days of making a determination that an indebtedness has occurred to the government resulting from salary or wage overpayment. Amends the amount that a disbursing officer may deduct from an employee's salary, wage, or compensation based on the employee's gross income. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

AQUINO

RELATING TO STATE HOLIDAYS.

Designates the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice of each year as the Lunar New Year. Establishes the Lunar New Year as a state holiday. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO INCLUSIONARY ZONING.

Prohibits any law, ordinance, or rule from imposing an inclusionary zoning requirement on housing offered exclusively for sale or rent in perpetuity to buyers or renters who are residents of the State, are owner-occupants or renters, and do not own any other real property. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING.

Establishes the Department of Housing. Places the Hawaii Community Development Authority, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and Hawaii Public Housing Authority within the Department of Housing for administrative purposes. Replaces the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism with the Director of Housing on the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO AMENDING SECTION 323D-54, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, TO EXEMPT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FROM CERTIFICATE OF NEED REQUIREMENTS.

Exempts health care facilities operated or services provided by the Department of Health, chronic renal dialysis centers, and psychiatric behavioral health services from the State Health Planning and Development Agency's certificate of need requirements. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers to submit certifications with the Department of Taxation annually, stating that the manufacturer's products comply with federal regulations. Requires the Department of Taxation to maintain a directory of manufacturers of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids whose certifications the Department approved. Imposes penalties.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR SPECIAL FUND.

Requires funds repaid by a stipend recipient of the Early Childhood Educator Stipend Program to be deposited into the Early Learning Special Fund. Repeal the Early Childhood Educator Special Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO UPDATING PUBLIC LAND LEASES ISSUED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 171, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

Requires that lease extensions approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources be drafted on forms that reflect contemporary leasing practices and policies of the Board, and which shall control over conflicting or inconsistent provisions in the lease being extended.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVATE SECTOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS.

Expands the types of employees protected by the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and all individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO QUALIFIED COMMUNITY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS.

Clarifies that the civil service exemption for personal service contracts for building, custodial, and grounds maintenance services with qualified community rehabilitation programs shall not cost more than $850,000 in the aggregate per private person or entity, regardless of the number of contracts or qualified community rehabilitation programs utilized for the personal service. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

AQUINO

RELATING TO RURAL EMERGENCY HOSPITALS.

Creates a framework for the licensure of rural emergency hospitals by the Department of Health. Provides for the continuation of Medicaid policy protections for hospitals transitioning to a rural emergency hospital designation.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER HOUSING.

Establishes the Teacher Housing Assistance Program to provide housing vouchers to certain eligible teachers. Appropriates funds out of the Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires contested cases, environmental assessment cases, or environmental impact statement cases involving renewable energy projects over twenty megawatts in size, except cases that involve any form of incineration, to be appealed from an agency's decision directly to the Hawaii Supreme Court for final decision. Requires the cases to be prioritized and decided expeditiously. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Authorizes general excise tax exemptions for residential care services provided by certain licensed health care facilities pursuant to a contract with the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health. Effective 1/1/26. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

Establishes a temporary working group to study the feasibility of transitioning the Legislature's regular session from one that meets for 3.5 months from mid-January to early May, to one that meets on a year-round basis. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to provide administrative support to the working group. Requires report to Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 1, SECTION 5, OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION RELATING TO DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL PROTECTION.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit discrimination against a person because of ethnicity, age, disability, religion, national ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Places oversight of the School Impact Fee Program under the School Facilities Authority Board. Directs the School Facilities Authority Board to carry out the processes and procedures conducted by the Board of Education to dissolve a school impact district upon the transfer of oversight of the School Impact Fee Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

LA CHICA

RELATED TO TOURISM.

Amends the types of occurrences for which the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors may request the Governor to declare a tourism emergency. Reduces the minimum balance to be maintained in the Tourism Emergency Special Fund through an allocation of transient accommodations tax revenues. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to consider additional preferential factors when supplying housing or assistance in obtaining housing. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to determine the order of preferences and rank applicants, select applicants based on application date, and validate the preference status of applicants. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL CONTROL.

Establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation, including the free-roaming cat population, and authorizes an income tax designation to provide revenues into the special fund. Requires that female cats over the age of three months and male cats over the age of five months be surgically sterilized, with certain exceptions. Authorizes county animal control authorities to establish and enforce a permit program to allow the responsible breeding of cats. Establishes minimum requirements for breeding permits and penalties. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. Applies to taxable years after 12/31/2025. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Establishes an Advisory Council within the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to advise on environmental and cultural practices within specific developments. Establishes a position. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2030. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Adds state contractor's performance assessment to information required to be included in the past performance database maintained by the State Procurement Office. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE.

Requires the Department of Budget and Finance to conduct a feasibility study on the associated costs of establishing and implementing a Legislative Budget Office. Requires a report to the Legislature. Repeals the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Office of the Legislative Analyst. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.

Requires the State or a county to reimburse an officer or employee within thirty calendar days after submitting an approved Statement of Completed Travel for work-related travel costs that the officer or employee loaned to the State or county. Requires the State or a county to pay a percentage of interest on the total amount owed to an officer or employee until the loan is fully reimbursed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONTROLLED-ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Authorizes physicians to practice at organized ambulatory health care facilities even if the physician does not have hospital privileges at a licensed hospital in the same geographic location as the ambulatory facility. Provides that a written transfer agreement is not required to transfer a patient from an organized ambulatory health care facility to a licensed hospital.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO MEAT PROCESSING.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop and implement a grant program to expand the meat processing capacity in the State. Establishes requirements for grant applicants. Allows hunters access to qualifying meat processing facilities. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Increases the limits on volumes of liquor and other alcoholic beverages that may be manufactured by class 18 small craft producer pub license holders. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Requires the Department of Health, to the extent allowable under federal law, to prioritize the use of Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund moneys for projects by homeowners to upgrade cesspools to director-approved wastewater systems or connect homeowners' properties to sewerage systems, including projects for the installation of cluster systems or community package plants. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD.

Authorizes the payment of allowances for TRICARE, TRICARE Dental Program, and vision coverage to all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the Hawaii National Guard ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (5) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat