Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO HAWAII BEACH DAY.

Establishes Hawaii Beach Day. Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, to organize and support events and activities to celebrate and observe Hawaii Beach Day. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO AIR CARRIERS.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a three-year Molokai Air Carrier Subsidy Pilot Program to provide subsidies to airlines operating out of Molokai Airport. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER RESOURCES.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the City and County of Honolulu for the planning, design, and construction of up to six monitoring wells, including a sentinel monitoring grid. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO HEMP.

Establishes a Green Building Tax Credit for costs related to the construction of a primary structure made with at least thirty per cent Hawaii-grown hemp material. Allows any hemp processor with a permit from the Department of Health to sell an edible or beverage cannabinoid product that contains a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 2.5 milligrams per serving and not more than twenty-five servings per package. Prohibits the sale of an edible or beverage cannabinoid product to any person less than twenty-one years of age. Establishes child-resistant packaging requirements for edible cannabinoid products. Clarifies the tetrahydrocannabinol concentration limit for a non-edible legacy cannabinoid product or manufactured hemp product shall be subject only to federal restrictions. Amends the definition of "hemp biomass" to include stalks and foliage material. Requires the Department of Health to establish a dedicated hemp program to regulate hemp that is separate from the regulatory process for cannabinoid products with a high concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to establish a comprehensive action plan under the "Yes In My Back Yard" Working Group to establish a local housing market in Hawaii. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Jr. IharaDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit for qualified productions that utilize qualified production facilities located within the State. Changes the cap amount and aggregate cap amount of the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit to unspecified amounts. Exempts from the general excise tax reimbursement to a motion picture project employer for employee wages, salaries, payroll taxes, insurance premiums, and employment benefits. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Requires the Board of Regents to expend funds appropriated to renew, improve, or modernize existing University of Hawaii facilities for only those purposes and not for current, ongoing, or anticipated capital improvement projects. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO NAIL TECHNICIANS.

Exempts nail technicians from licensing requirements. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COSMETOLOGY LICENSURE COMPACT.

Authorizes the Governor to enter into a Cosmetology Licensure Compact on behalf of the State to provide a streamlined process that allows cosmetologists to obtain a multistate license enabling them to practice cosmetology in another state without obtaining a separate license under the laws of that state. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact. Authorizes the Governor to enter into the Compact. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Establishes and appropriates funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaii to develop, support, and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

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 CANNABIS.

Establishes the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate all aspects of the cannabis plant. Beginning 1/1/2026, legalizes the personal adult use of cannabis. Establishes taxes on the retail sale of adult-use cannabis and the sale of medical cannabis. Adds new traffic offenses relating to the consumption or possession of marijuana or marijuana concentrate. Makes conforming amendments related to the legalization of personal adult use of cannabis. Beginning 1/1/2026, decriminalizes certain drug offenses related to marijuana and marijuana concentrate. Transfers the personnel and assets of the Department of Health and assets of the Department of Agriculture relating to cannabis to the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office. Establishes various positions within state entities to regulate the personal adult use of cannabis. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes what constitutes transit-oriented development and incentivizes development in county-designated transit-oriented development areas or zones. Prioritizes the allocation of a minimum percentage of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund for certain mixed-income rental housing projects or units. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO FITNESS TO PROCEED.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in partnership with the Department of Health, to establish and implement a five-year Fitness to Proceed Pilot Program in one county of the State. Requires an interim report and final report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO OHANA ZONES.

Establishes the Ohana Zones Program as a program within the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to exempt ohana zones projects from general excise taxes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT POSITIONS.

Requires a person appointed to serve as the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System, Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, or another position that serves as a Senior Advisor to the Governor to obtain the advice and consent of the Senate. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD CARE.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and implement an Early Learning Services Contracts Program to make available a designated number of seats at licensed infant and toddler child care centers and group child care centers that meet certain criteria. Requires the Department of Human Services to submit reports to the Legislature. Sunsets the pilot program on 6/30/2028. Effective 12/31/2050. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

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 CONDOMINIUMS.

Establishes within the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority the Condominium Loan Program to provide qualified condominium associations with low-cost financing or refinancing on previously obtained loans for maintenance or repair projects. Limits loan terms to 20 years and prohibits any new loans after 6/30/2047. Establishes the Condominium Loan Loss Reserves Program to incentivize community development financial institutions into providing loans at competitive rates and terms to condominium associations for the purpose of allowing condominium associations to make necessary maintenance or repairs. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds into and out of the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. Repeals 06/30/2047. (SD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO NURSING.

Requires the State Board of Nursing to identify one facility in each of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui that has the capability to establish a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center as a test site to administer a National Council Licensure Examination for nurses; equip each facility identified with the technical and facility requirements necessary for a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center; and submit an application for each facility to Pearson Education, Inc. to be authorized and contracted as a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO AVIAN INFLUENZA.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture to prevent, monitor, and respond to avian influenza in Hawaii. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STADIUM DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL FUND.

Requires gifts or grants from a private source deposited into the Stadium Development Special Fund to be used only for infrastructure related to the stadium and costs associated with the development of the stadium. Requires any unexpended and unencumbered funds in the Stadium Development Special Fund to immediately lapse to the general fund if the NASED project is terminated. Appropriates funds out of the Stadium Development Special Fund with certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes and implements evidence-based performance metrics for the P-20 Partnerships for Education to allow better evidence-based assessments of the P-20 Partnerships for Education advisory council's workforce and pathway development programs. Requires reports to the Legislature. Authorizes the expenditure of Perkins V federal funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COCONUT TREE.

Recognizes the coconut palm as a culturally significant plant and sustainable staple food source in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Specifies that sports wagering shall not be considered games of chance or gambling. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO ACUPUNCTURE.

Recognizes individuals practicing acupuncture as essential health care providers who are subject to regulation and control.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to increase the funding of certain Medicaid home- and community-based services, including adult day programs and residential services offered in community care foster family homes and expanded adult residential care homes. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

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

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST ALOUN KAUAI FARMING, AN AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE, IN THE FINANCE, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF A PROJECT TO REVITALIZE THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Authorizes the Department of Budget and Finance to issue special purpose revenue bonds to assist Aloun Kauai Farming LLC, in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of an integrated dairy. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CIGARETTE TAXES.

Beginning 1/1/2026, increases the cigarette tax from sixteen cents to eighteen cents and amends the disposition of cigarette tax revenues by allocating the increase in the cigarette tax amount to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY.

Establishes an exemption from mediation in paternity proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII REVENUE BONDS.

Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing qualifying priority capital improvement projects. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL RIGHTS.

Makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice for places of public accommodation to deny a person with a disability full and equal enjoyment of, or information related to, their goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations using information and communication technology intended for use by the general public as applicants, participants, customers, clients, or visitors. Establishes exceptions. Clarifies that a facility is considered a place of public accommodation regardless of whether its presence in the State is physical or digital. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes for a county to impose a mileage-based road usage charge. Provides for disposition of funds of county mileage-based road usage charge. Clarifies the disposition of funds of state mileage-based road usage charge. Repeals the maximum amount a driver will pay in a state mileage-based road usage charge on June 30, 2028. Establishes a default state mileage-based road usage charge rate when missing, incomplete, or incorrect odometer reading information that will prevent the state mileage-based road usage charge from being calculated. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL FACILITY REVENUE BONDS.

Increases the total principal amount of special facility revenue bonds that may be issued by the Department of Transportation for harbor improvements. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO A STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Reenacts the Historic Preservation Income Tax Credit. Establishes an annual cap amount on the tax credit of $1,000,000. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 12/31/2030. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PASS-THROUGH ENTITY TAXATION.

For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024, requires all qualified members claiming a credit for pass-through entity taxation to adjust their income to include the qualified member's share of taxes paid by an electing pass-through entity. Effective July 1, 3000. (HD1)

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 HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS ON DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES LANDS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO RESTORATION OF BEACH LANDS.

Amends the definition of "beach restoration" to include activities undertaken to maintain and improve eroded beaches and degraded dune systems through the management of sand and native vegetation, place sand on an eroded beach, and remove abandoned remnant materials that pose a risk to public and ecosystem health. Appropriates funds for a Kahana Bay beach restoration pilot project and a sand restoration and dune replenishment pilot project on the island of Maui. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

Enhances sharing of critical infrastructure information between infrastructure owners and operators and the state government. Defines and protects "critical infrastructure information" that is crucial for direct support of the security and resilience of the State. Provides homeland security partners with reassurance that their proprietary information provided to the state government will be protected from disclosure. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AN INTENSIVE MOBILE TEAM PILOT PROGRAM FOR HOUSELESS INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS BRAIN DISORDERS.

Establishes a three-year Intensive Mobile Team Pilot Program in the Department of Health to provide intensive mobile treatment-type services, including "street psychiatry", to chronically houseless individuals suffering from serious brain disorders, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Requires the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to submit reports to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

Requires utilization review entities to submit data relating to the prior authorization of health care services to the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Establishes the Health Care Appropriateness and Necessity Working Group within the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM CIVIL SERVICE FOR CERTAIN POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Exempts certain positions in the Department of Health, including the Hawaii State Hospital, from civil service. Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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 YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

Establishes a two-year digital youth mental health platform pilot project under which the child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health shall develop and make publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO NUISANCES.

Clarifies that the Department of Health has the legal authority and obligation to prevent and address nuisances that affect environmental health or public health, or both. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat