Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO ELECTRIC UTILITIES.

Provides the Public Utilities Commission the authority to appoint a receiver to take temporary action necessary to assure continued adequate electric services from regulated investor-owned electric utilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS SERVICES.

Authorizes the Department of Education to use alternative vehicles for student transportation under certain conditions. Allows the Department of Education to institute a staggered school hours program in public schools. Appropriates funds for the purchase of alternative vehicles and individuals to obtain CDL licensure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

REYES ODA

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process. Requires the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator to report to the Legislature on the streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT HEAT EXPOSURE SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to conduct a study on the current practices of managing heat exposure in state public and charter schools to protect students' health during outdoor activities and to develop a plan if the current practices are insufficient in managing heat exposure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CRANSTON DUKE PIA ACT.

Establishes that, in certain circumstances, an actor rightfully present on agricultural lands may exercise deadly force with a right to stand the actor's ground and not retreat.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO RENT TO BUILD EQUITY.

Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to conduct a study on rent-to-build equity for existing and future state-financed housing. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

Requires that the Hawaiian version of a law be held binding if the law in question was originally drafted in Hawaiian and then translated into English and the law has not been later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students enrolled in department schools. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Appropriates funds to offset the debt for the Waiahole Water System. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Clarifies the exemptions to the prohibition on discharging any wastewater or raw sewage into state waters after December 31, 2026, including an exemption for treatment plants having a treatment capacity of less than a certain number of gallons per day. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Combined Housing Operational Agriculture Mobilization Program to assist bona fide farmers to live and farm on agricultural lands. For taxable years beginning 1/1/2026, establishes a tax credit for land donated to the Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS.

Requires an environmental impact statement and consultation with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for actions that propose any launch of a spacecraft from or reeintry into state waters or the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to provide and disseminate its procedures for dealing with bullying. Requires principals, teachers, and staff to disseminate the Department's bullying procedures to students. Defines bullying procedures.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the development of faculty, staff, teacher, and workforce housing at the Kauai Community College. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING DEMAND MANAGEMENT.

Establishes a parking demand management program. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to transition all state employee monthly parking options to daily rate parking. Requires the Department to procure parking reservation software. Creates 2 permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions. Appropriates moneys.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS.

Repeals the definition of "finding of no significant impact". Defines "finding of completion of environmental disclosure process". Makes conforming amendments.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO CARE CENTERS.

Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to conduct a feasibility study on establishing dedicated child care centers in state buildings. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX INCREMENT FINANCING.

Authorizes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to apply to the counties for tax increment financing. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts certain state-financed housing developments from the requirement to obtain approval from the applicable county council. Authorizes a county planning director to reject certain permit applications due to a lack of infrastructure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes an agroecological and climate-smart farming practices tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand the sewer network and lines within and throughout the Keaukaha homestead. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Repeals the authority of the Department of Education to set the price for school meals, except to provide a lower rate or free meals through rules. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

LA CHICA

RELATING TO POLICING.

Requires county police departments and police oversight agencies to collect and report certain data regarding police stops, uses of force, and complaints to the Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division of the Department of the Attorney General. Requires the Division to collect and publish incident-level information and an annual report on the data collected. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies that dwelling units eligible under the Rent-to-Own Program shall be units that are for sale in fee simple or leasehold on state or county land under a lease with an initial term of no less than ninety-nine years. Increases the time the sale price under the program must remain fixed from five years to ten years. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO RETIRANTS.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as an investigator in a position identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or Department of the Attorney General as a labor shortage or difficult—to-fill position, subject to certain conditions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction to include in the director's annual report to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as investigators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE USE OF INTOXICANTS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE.

Lowers the blood alcohol concentration threshold for driving while under the influence of an intoxicant. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

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

Amends the composition of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund board of trustees. Clarifies vacancy procedures. Amends quorum requirements and voting powers.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO DEPARTMENTAL DATA SHARING.

Adds the Department of Taxation to the list of state agencies sharing data through the statewide longitudinal data system. Allows the Department of Taxation to provide the University of Hawaii and other state agencies certain wage data. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CENTRAL SERVICES ASSESSMENT.

Amends the transfer of funds for central service expenses from the State Highway Fund, Airport Revenue Fund, and Harbor Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts any development of homestead lots or housing for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from general excise and use taxes. Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to submit annual reports to the Legislature over a period of five years. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO LONG DURATION CLEAN ENERGY STORAGE.

Expands and renames the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen Program to include identification of likely pumped storage hydropower locations, or sites for other long duration clean energy storage technologies, and promotion of their development. Expands the use of the Hydrogen Investment Special Fund to include seed capital and venture capital investments for the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Program. Appropriates funds for the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY AEROMEDICAL SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to the counties to increase access to emergency aeromedical services. Appropriates funds into and out of the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund to the Department of Health for the establishment and operating expenses for emergency aeromedical services. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

Repeals the general excise tax exemption for amounts received by independent sugar cane farmers. Repeals the general excise tax exemption for amounts received by a contractor of the Patient-Centered Community Care Program that is established by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to title 38 United States Code section 8153. Effective 1/1/2026. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AMBULANCES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase of one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII CONFERENCE CENTER REVOLVING FUND.

Establishes the University of Hawaii Conference Center Revolving Fund and accounts under the fund to facilitate the administration of the revolving fund for conference center programs among various campuses and operating units of the University of Hawaii system. Repeals the Conference Center Revolving Fund, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and the Community College Conference Center Revolving Fund. Transfers all appropriations and encumbrances of the Conference Center Revolving Fund, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and the Community College Conference Center Revolving Fund to the University of Hawaii Conference Center Revolving Fund. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RELIEF FUNDING.

Amends the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund by allowing the Board of Regents to dedicate funding for student aid in direct response to an emergency or disaster, as declared by the Governor. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT HEALTH.

Authorizes a school to maintain a stock supply of bronchodilators to be administered under certain conditions. Authorizes certain employees of a school and department personnel to administer certain medication in emergency situations, under certain conditions. Amends prescription drug labeling requirements to include certain information related to a school, if applicable. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual, from the sale of hearing aids. Effective 12/31/2050. Sunsets 1/1/2027. (SD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYORS.

Establishes a statute of repose prohibiting the commencement of a civil action against a professional land surveyor or owner of real property if ten years has elapsed since the latter of the date of completion of a contract or final payment for land surveying work. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LAND CONSERVATION FUND.

Sets the amount of conveyance tax revenues to be paid into the Land Conservation Fund to a certain per cent or monetary cap, whichever is less, of conveyance taxes collected each fiscal year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920, AS AMENDED.

Increases the limit of the State's liability from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000 for moneys borrowed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands or loans made to lessees that are guaranteed by the Department.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUTING.

Requires the Director of Human Resources Development, in consultation with the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, State Energy Office, and Department of Accounting and General Services, to develop and implement a comprehensive Commuting Choice Benefit Program for all state employees regardless of mode of transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Makes contributions by the candidate's immediate family subject to contribution limits. Amends the loan amount that a candidate or candidate committee may receive from the candidate's immediate family. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Amends the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include bodily injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO LIBRARIES.

Requires reasonable terms in license agreements for digital literary materials between libraries and publishers. Defines prohibited terms for license agreements between libraries and publishers. Declares offer of a license agreement with a prohibited term an unfair or deceptive act. Makes a license agreement with a prohibited term void and unconscionable. Creates a right of action by libraries, library officers and borrowers. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY'S ‘OLELO HAWAI‘I INITIATIVES.

Appropriates funds to support the Olelo Hawaii Initiatives. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Reduces the amount the Department of Education is authorized to charge for school meals to all students enrolled in department schools to no more than one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat