Bills & Legislation

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 CESSPOOLS.

Authorizes the Director of Health to grant an exemption from the requirement to upgrade, convert, or connect a cesspool if the State is unable to present evidence that the cesspool is affecting the State's drinking water supply or recreational waters.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

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 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 THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Allows the raising of the building height limit for 2 of the 5 parcels owned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in the Kakaako Makai area to 400 feet. Lifts the current restriction against residential development on the 5 OHA-owned parcels in Kakaako Makai to allow residential development by OHA or by third parties to which OHA conveys the parcels. Requires OHA and any developer to provide written notice to any tenant or resident of potential aircraft related nuisances before entering into a lease, and to assess and propose mitigation efforts to address aircraft related nuisances in development plans and proposals.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

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 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 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 PUBLIC LANDS.

Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from approving any land disposition to the United States military that allows for or facilitates any military training activities on the subject lands. Requires that any lease or lease extension between the State and the US Department of Defense or branches of the US military include certain provisions, including an acknowledgement that the State retains authority over all environmental matters within its jurisdiction. Provides that violation of state or federal environmental law, or any law, rule, or order on a matter affecting the health and safety of the State's residents, shall be grounds for terminating the lease.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

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

Mike GabbardDemocrat

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 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 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 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 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 THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services to assess the feasibility of offering a 20% discount on certain goods and services for the State's low- to moderate-income elders.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST FENIX SPACE, INC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds for the planning, design, and construction of the Fenix Space launch platform system and Fenix Space Hilo flight operations facility.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER FLUORIDATION.

Requires certain suppliers of water in the State to adjust the fluoride levels in the supplier's public water system to meet the optimal fluoride level for community water fluoridation, as established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Requires suppliers to test water systems for fluoride levels, at intervals established by the state Department of Health. Requires the Department of Health to provide training to suppliers on the implementation of water fluoridation. Requires the Department of Health to submit annual reports to the Legislature.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO COUNTY PERMITS.

Requires county permitting agencies to establish and fill positions exclusively to process permit applications submitted for state projects. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts housing developments that have obtained financing commitments from the State or is located on state land from the requirement to obtain approval from the applicable county council. Effective 7/1/2050.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Establishes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Program as a permanent program to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to purchase equity in for-sale housing development projects for qualified residents of the State using moneys in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to lower the initial purchasing price. Establishes equity repayment requirements. Effective 6/29/2050.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Establishes within the Department of Accounting and General Services the Office of the State Architect, directed by a State Architect appointed by the Governor. Requires the State Architect to organize, manage, and oversee the design review of all state construction projects and issue design approvals for traditional design-bid-build state construction projects. Requires an annual report to the Governor and Legislature. Authorizes the Department of Accounting and General Services to oversee design review services for state construction projects and issue certain design approvals through the State Architect. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Revises the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund by modifying the priority list for project funding and adding new project priority criteria. Authorizes fund transfers between the Mixed-Income Subaccount without legislative approval. Authorizes conveyance tax revenues deposited into the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be transferred to the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits a law enforcement agency from entering into an agreement for the delegation of immigration enforcement authority to a state or county agency.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits law enforcement agencies from forming certain agreements with federal or out-of-state law enforcement agencies.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO SAFE COMMUNITIES.

Requires the Attorney General to designate safe community places. Prohibits employees at safe community places from providing voluntary consent to federal law enforcement agents for operations that identify or seek to identify apprehend, arrest, or impose any other penalty for activities protected by the First Amendment or immigration enforcement.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

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 RIGHT TO REPAIR.

Requires original smartphone manufacturers to make documentation, parts, and tools available to independent repair providers and owners for the purposes of diagnosis, maintenance, and repair on fair and reasonable terms.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officers from using biometric surveillance technology in the State unless certain conditions are met.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

Adds the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, or the chairperson's designee, to the Commission on Water Resource Management.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII REGARDING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 4, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to provide that the participation of non-natural persons in election activities and campaign finance activities may be regulated, restricted, or prohibited as provided by law.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICATION LABELING.

Authorizes certain pregnant persons to receive abortion medication with a label that does not bear their name and other identifying information.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Prohibits certain business entities from engaging in election and campaign finance activities.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and amends the maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code, expands the types of potential violations of the State Water Code, and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties. Makes the setting, charging, and collecting of administrative fines by the Commission on Water Resource Management mandatory, rather than discretionary.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits surveillance pricing, or differential pricing based on information collected with electronic surveillance technology. Deems surveillance pricing an unfair and deceptive practice. Provides certain exemptions.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Authorizes condominium associations and managing agents to charge reasonable costs for administrative services related to providing documentation not already in existence or preparing forms to facilitate a private sales transaction.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Clarifies that a member can distribute each vote they are entitled to among any or all of the candidates for a planned community association or condominium association board election conducted by cumulative voting. Defines "candidate".

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AQUACULTURE INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT.

For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, establishes a 5-year aquaculture investment tax credit for taxpayers that incur qualifying investment costs relating to qualified aquaculture businesses.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Establishes the eighth day of August of each year as "Hawaii Disaster Drill Day". Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with all state departments and agencies, to conduct drills and perform other activities for that day.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIME.

Establishes a special intergovernmental task force to eradicate illegal gambling and drug activities and to establish community safe zones across the State. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the filing thresholds for the General Excise Tax and Transient Accommodations Tax.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Clarifies that a person or entity shall be liable for all or a portion of search and rescue expenses when the search and rescue results from the person or entity's violation of applicable laws. Requires the State Fire Council to adopt rules, and the counties to adopt ordinances, as necessary to pursue reimbursements.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates moneys to the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy's Space Science and Engineering Initiative Workforce Development Program.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Transfers the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development for administrative purposes. Removes the manager of the Coastal Zone Management Program from the Commission. Adds a representative from the University of Hawaii to the Commission.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTHY WORKPLACES.

Prohibits any employer or employee from subjecting an employee to abusive conduct. Requires employers and certain employees to take all reasonable preventative and responsive measures to ensure a safe work environment free of abusive conduct. Prohibits employers and certain employees from taking retaliatory actions against employees who engage in certain protected acts. Establishes a penalty, private cause of action, and remedies. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE VACANCIES.

Establishes that if the death or permanent incapacitation of the prior incumbent leaves a legislative seat vacant before a primary election, but after the close of filing for candidacy in that election, and the prior incumbent's name was the only name on any ballot for that seat for that election, the Governor's appointment of a replacement shall be valid for both the unexpired term and the succeeding term.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat