Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Authorizes the Land Use Commission to designate county or state lands as important agricultural lands, and adopt maps for the designated lands, in counties that fail to identify and recommend important agricultural lands by 12/31/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Exempts general fund appropriations to the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra from the requirements of chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for general operating costs of the Orchestra and for deposit into the State of Hawaii Endowment Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

Establishes a three-year Pedestrian Safety Pilot Program in a county with population of two hundred fifty thousand or less, under certain conditions. Authorizes the Governor to revoke and abolish the Pilot Program and overturn a county's request to opt-out of the Pilot Program. Authorizes a county with a population of over two hundred fifty thousand to participate in the Pilot Program, subject to certain conditions. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires a driver of a vehicle to yield to a pedestrian when the pedestrian clearly indicates their intention to cross a roadway within a crosswalk. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS.

Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to establish, no later than 7/1/2026, a Water Carrier Inflationary Cost Index automatic adjustment mechanism and waive or exempt any water carrier from any requirement under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONVENE A DEMOLITION WASTE REDUCTION WORKING GROUP.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ADEQUATE RESERVE FUND.

Amends the definition of "adequate reserve fund" by increasing the multiplier used to calculate its amount from the existing factor of 1, to unspecified amounts for calendar year 2026 and for calendar year 2027 and thereafter. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to conduct an actuarial study and report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ERADICATION OF OCTOCORAL AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THE WATERS OF PEARL HARBOR, INCLUDING WEST LOCH, MIDDLE LOCH, AND EAST LOCH.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MEET THE CRITERIA NECESSARY TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE CHEERLEADING AS A TITLE IX SPORT IN HAWAII.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HEALTHCARE EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.

Formally codifies the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. Requires a participant in the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program who receives a new award on or after July 1, 2027, to remain and work in the State for a certain number of years based on the amount of financial assistance received. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD2)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RECOGNIZING OPEN WATER LIFEGUARDS AS FIRST RESPONDERS IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THEIR ESSENTIAL ROLE IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO AQUATIC PROTECTION.

Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to: manage the aquatic life and aquatic resources of the State, giving the highest priority to protecting, restoring, and maintaining ecosystem integrity and using the best peer-reviewed scientific data available; maintain reefs and each native species within them at levels no less than the best peer-reviewed science suggests is able to comfortably withstand the worst coral bleaching events and other likely threats to reef ecosystem health in the subsequent five decades; and set goals, make plans, and take action to substantially increase coral-reef resilience with annual reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Requires the Director of Human Resources Development to abolish vacant positions within state departments and agencies under its jurisdiction that have been vacant for more than 5 years with certain exceptions. Requires funds for abolished positions to immediately lapse to the credit of the appropriate fund. Requires a list of positions abolished to be included in the Director's annual report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO HABITAT CONSERVATION PLANS.

Requires any existing habitat conservation plan that does not include an agreement for emergency medical and rehabilitation services for affected native wildlife to be amended to include the services in the agreement. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

REAFFIRMING THE LEGISLATURE'S COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE AS A MEMBER LEGISLATURE IN THE PACIFIC INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

ESTABLISHING A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE PREFECTURE OF YAMAGATA, JAPAN.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Establishes the Hawaii Film Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and transfers the rights, powers, functions, and duties of the Hawaii Film Office to the Commission. Requires appointments and hiring of staff by 12/31/2027. Establishes the Film Industry Development Special Fund. Excludes media and film from the definition of "creative industries" and renames the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund as the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund. Amends the sources of moneys to be deposited into the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund. Allows the Creative Industries Development Special Fund to be used for the support and development of facilities and other initiatives to grow the State's creative industries. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES.

Exempts emergency medical services personnel from commercial driver's license requirements. Requires federal, state, and county firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and law enforcement officers to maintain proof of successful completion of agency-approved or other state-approved training on authorized emergency vehicles. Amends the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" under the State Traffic Code to replace ambulances with emergency medical services vehicles. Expands the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" to include disaster response and recovery vehicles and Department of Health vehicles. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO PRIORITIZE ISSUING A SET-ASIDE TO THE COUNTY OF MAUI THROUGH AN EXECUTIVE ORDER BY THE GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC TRUST WATER RESOURCES IN EAST MAUI.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

URGING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF EXPANDING THE USE OF MAIL-ORDER PHARMACY IN THE STATE.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.

Requires certain employers to provide administrative leave of absence for victims of workplace violence or threat of workplace violence. Expands the type of certification an employee may provide to an employer if the leave exceeds five days per calendar year. Prohibits retaliation against employees for exercising rights related to domestic violence, sexual violence, or workplace violence or threat of workplace violence. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Requires disclosure of the names of compensated officers, and their immediate family members, of state contractors with contracts exceeding the small purchase threshold established under the Hawaii Public Procurement Code and grantees with grants exceeding $250,000. Prohibits the compensated officers of state contractors, and their immediate family members, from making, promising, or soliciting certain campaign contributions for the duration of the contract exceeding the small purchase threshold. Prohibits state grantees, including compensated officers and their immediate family members, from making, promising, or soliciting certain contributions for the duration of the grant exceeding $250,000. Requires unlawful contributions to be returned to the contributor or escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COURT SECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC STAFFING SHORTAGES, EXPANDED STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE ESCALATING FISCAL AND ACCOUNTABILITY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTING AT STATE COURTS.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Requires disclosure of the names of compensated officers of state and county contractors and grantees. Prohibits the compensated officers of certain state and county contractors and grantees from making, promising, or soliciting certain campaign contributions for the duration of the contract or grant. Provides that, for contributions received through a third-party payment processor website, whether received by check or directly deposited to the candidate or noncandidate committee, the date the contributor executes the transaction on the third-party payment processor website shall be deemed the date of receipt and the date of acceptance for campaign finance reporting and compliance requirements. Clarifies that monetary contributions and other campaign funds shall be deposited within 14 days of their physical receipt in a depository institution. Requires unlawful contributions to be returned to the contributor within 30 calendar days of receipt or escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. Clarifies that where a violation of the prohibition against contributions and expenditures by lobbyists during legislative session occurs because of the acceptance or agreement to accept a prohibited contribution, and the contribution is by check, the date of violation shall be the date of the receipt of the check and not the date of deposit. Appropriates moneys. (SD3)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

REQUESTING THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI TO EXPAND THE HELE-ON SHARED RIDE PROGRAM TO SERVE THE ENTIRE ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI, INCLUDING RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS SUCH AS WEST HAWAIʻI, NORTH KOHALA, SOUTH KOHALA, KAʻŪ, AND PUNA.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

Amends the conditions and procedures of alternative dispute resolution methods for condominium-related disputes, including the use of facilitative mediation, evaluative mediation, or binding arbitration. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO STUDENTS ON HOW TO PREREGISTER TO VOTE BEFORE REACHING VOTING AGE.

Chris LeeDemocrat

URGING APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES TO REDEVELOP THE PALI LANES PROPERTY TO PRESERVE ITS HISTORIC MID-CENTURY ARCHITECTURE AND PROVIDE FOR MEANINGFUL RECREATIONAL, CULTURAL, AND COMMUNITY-SERVING USES THAT BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS OF KAILUA AND WINDWARD OAHU.

Chris LeeDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL, LONG-TERM COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM TO EXPAND, EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE, AND SUSTAIN TREE-CANOPY COVERAGE ACROSS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATE WIDE.

Chris LeeDemocrat

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO TRANSITION THE SCHOOL BUSES USED FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO ELECTRIC BUSES TO EXPAND THE BENEFITS ALREADY DEMONSTRATED IN OTHER PLACES.

Chris LeeDemocrat

URGING THE DIVISION OF STATE PARKS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE STATE PARKS, AND TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE BRANDING AND NARRATIVES FOR PARKS, LANDMARKS, AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT PLACES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

Chris LeeDemocrat

CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT ARTS AND CULTURE ENGAGEMENT AND RELATED INITIATIVES.

Chris LeeDemocrat

CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT SANCTUARIES AND OTHER CONSERVATION-RELATED INITIATIVES FOR ENDANGERED AND OTHER SPECIES.

Chris LeeDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY ACCESSIBILITY BARRIERS FOR MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING NOT COVERED BY THE FEDERAL FAIR HOUSING ACT AND GOVERNED BY CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS AND PLANNED COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE PROGRESS OF THE HAWAII ELECTRIC RELIABILITY ADMINISTRATOR.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF LARGE DATA CENTERS ON HAWAII'S ELECTRIC UTILITIES, RATEPAYERS, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND CLIMATE GOALS.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

REQUESTING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT OF EACH COUNTY TO ESTABLISH KUPUNA-FRIENDLY BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR PARKING ACCESSIBILITY AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES OPERATING HOURS.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

URGING THE COUNTIES TO INTEGRATE THE SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH INTO ROAD AND TRANSPORTATION DESIGN, ESPECIALLY WHEN REDUCING OR ELIMINATING OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS, TO INCREASE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

REQUESTING THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ALTERNATIVE MODELS FOR REHABILITATION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ON OʻAHU.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ERADICATION OF OCTOCORAL AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THE WATERS OF PEARL HARBOR, INCLUDING WEST LOCH, MIDDLE LOCH, AND EAST LOCH.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO COORDINATE WITH UTILITY PROVIDERS OPERATING WITHIN STATE HIGHWAY RIGHTS-OF-WAY TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE PLAN AND SCHEDULE TO ADDRESS DERELICT OR AGING UTILITY POLES AND LINES ALONG FARRINGTON HIGHWAY AND OTHER HIGH-RISK CORRIDORS.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION TO ESTABLISH A COORDINATED DATA ENTRY SYSTEM FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION AND COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND PROSECUTORS TO TRACK THE STATUS OF DETAINEES INCARCERATED IN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

URGING THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT TRANSGENDER MEMBERS OF THE HAWAIʻI NATIONAL GUARD FROM DISCRIMINATORY FEDERAL POLICY AND PERMIT QUALIFIED TRANSGENDER SERVICE MEMBERS TO CONTINUE THEIR SERVICE.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

ENCOURAGING THE STATE TO EXAMINE REQUIRING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS IN ALL STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS AND PURSUE EXISTING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAMS.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO EXPAND THE HAWAIIAN IMMERSION PROGRAM.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN COMPLETING THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION SYSTEMS FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

REQUESTING ALL STATE AGENCIES TO UTILIZE BI-LEVEL LIGHTING SYSTEMS IN ALL STATE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES, THE DESIGN OF WHICH IS FINALIZED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2028.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat