Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO PLASTIC.

Bans businesses from providing single-use plastic bags and nonrecyclable paper bags to customers. Assesses a fee that businesses shall charge for allowable bags provided to customers. Establishes penalties.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, facetoface practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact. Effective 1/1/2026.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Appropriates moneys from the Act 279 Special Fund for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to purchase a parcel of land identified as tax map key: (1) 9-1-013-025. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

Establishes a program within the Office of Community Services to authorize the formation of community collaborative capital improvement projects eligible for state grants, which may be exempted from certain state and county regulatory requirements under specific circumstances. Requires the Office to adopt rules and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2030.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES.

Adopts the Code of Fair Campaign Practices that candidates may use as a guide for their election campaigns.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO TRUSTED PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES.

Establishes a Trusted Public Representative Program within the Office of Information Practices under which the Office assigns a volunteer Trusted Public Representative trained in the requirements of the Sunshine Law and observes public agency meetings closed to the public. Allows the Office of Information Practices to conduct background checks of current and prospective Trusted Public Representatives. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO PROVIDE FOR A CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY TO PROPOSE TO THE LEGISLATURE CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY REVISIONS OR AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS GOVERNING ELECTIONS, POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, CAMPAIGN FINANCE, ETHICS, REFERENDUM, REAPPORTIONMENT, LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to provide for a citizens' assembly and to authorize the citizens' assembly to propose to the Legislature constitutional and statutory revisions or amendments to the laws governing elections, political campaigns, campaign finance, ethics, referendum, reapportionment, legislative process, and public access to information.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Applies the campaign finance laws to candidates for the neighborhood boards. Requires candidate committees for neighborhood board elections to file an organizational report with the Campaign Spending Commission regarding campaign contributions used for printing and mailing campaign material.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO DUNE RESTORATION.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program for dune restoration at Hanakaoo Beach Park. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING RESILIENCY.

Establishes the strengthen Hawaii homes program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to administer grants to retrofit residential properties located in historically vulnerable areas to enhance resilience against disaster impacts and reduce potential insurance liabilities. Establishes the strengthen Hawaii homes program special fund. Appropriates moneys from the special fund.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT.

Establishes vegetation management requirements to prevent wildfires caused by electric utilities. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enforce the provisions.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

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 INSURANCE.

Establishes rate transparency requirements for insurance companies operating in the State. Establishes the Office of Insurance Consumer Affairs within the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer affairs to provide oversight, information, and consumer advocacy. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

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)

AQUINO

RELATING TO ACUPUNCTURE.

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

AQUINO

RELATING TO A HAWAII TEACHER REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

Establishes the Hawaii Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, to be administered by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. Appropriates funds.

AQUINO

RELATING TO PREVAILING WAGES.

Requires prevailing wages for human services providers.

AQUINO (Introduced by request of another party)

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 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Department of Transportation to plan and design an expansion of the runway at Molokai Airport to accommodate larger aircraft. Requires the Department of Transportation to submit a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Establishes the Hawaii State Sports Wagering Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators. Establishes penalties for violations. Specifies that sports wagering shall not be considered games of chance or gambling. Allows the commission to conduct background checks on applicants for a sports wagering operator license and persons in control of applicants for a sports wagering operator license. Requires tax revenue collected from sports wagering to fund certain initiatives, including 50 per cent for public education programs and 25 per cent for affordable housing. Requires the commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Allows the Department of Agriculture to request information related to easements prior to any transfer of certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Requires approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Board of Agriculture before removing pasture lands for reforestation, or other public purposes.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Amends provisions relating to the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit. Increases the percentage of the qualified production costs that can be claimed by a qualified production company in different counties. Clarifies the distribution requirements of the tax credit. Increases the cap amount and aggregate cap amount of the tax credit.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Allows authorized insurers in the State to offer building and hurricane damage insurance for condominium buildings at a lesser rate than the building's prior surplus lines insurance policy for the same coverage. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO FORECLOSURES.

Clarifies the limitation of actions to recover debts related to notes and mortgage notes shall be six years. Prohibits creditors from pursuing deficiency judgments against residential property owners upon completion of a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Establishes the Performing Arts Grants Program to support performing arts in the State. Clarifies the scope of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' responsibilities to include the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. Allows the use of moneys from the Works of Art Special Fund for performing arts. Appropriates funds to provide grants under the Performing Arts Grants Program.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Mandates reimbursement for services provided by participating registered pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice by private and public health plans in the State after 7/1/2026.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO FLAGS.

Requires the honor and remember flag and pride flag to be flown with the United States and Hawaiian flags on specified days.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII-JAPAN PACIFIC PEACE MONUMENT.

Establishes a Hawaii-Japan Pacific Peace Monument to be developed by the State Foundation on Culture and appropriate stakeholders representing Hawaii and Japan. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

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 LEGISLATORS.

Authorizes state legislators to use state-owned or stateoperated equipment for bona fide community initiatives within their respective electoral districts.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO ADULT CONTENT.

Requires adult content providers and adult content consumers to register with the Department of Accounting and General Services. Requires the collection of registration fees from adult content providers. Requires adult content providers to charge mandatory subscription fees to adult content consumers. Imposes monetary penalties for noncompliance. Deposits moneys collected into the domestic violence and sexual assault special fund.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

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 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.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO RETAINAGE.

Allows procurement officers to withhold a retainage fee from the total budget from contractors to ensure satisfactory project completion. Requires the retainage fee to be paid to contractors within a certain number of days of project completion. Applies to public contracts executed on or after 1/1/2026. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

AQUINO

RELATING TO NUCLEAR ENERGY.

Establishes the Nuclear Energy Task Force within the Hawaii State Energy Office. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

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 THE INSURANCE AFFORDABILITY ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM.

Establishes the Insurance Affordability Assistance Pilot Program within the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to assist eligible homeowners with sudden increases in property insurance premiums. Sunsets 6/30/2028.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

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 HOUSING.

Appropriates funds for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allocate to housing counseling agencies certified by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing counseling services. Requires a report to the Legislature regarding services provided by the housing counseling agencies.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Repeals the authority for campaign funds to carry over to subsequent elections. Requires, at the latest, for campaign funds not expended to escheat to the State after a certain period. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to make reasonable efforts to return escheated funds to contributors with any remaining balance to fund partially publicly financed campaigns.

Brenton AwaRepublican

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 4, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH LEGISLATIVE TERM LIMITS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the number of years members may serve in the Legislature to a maximum of sixteen years.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO THE MEDICAL USE OF CANNABIS.

Repeals registration requirements relating to qualifying outofstate medical cannabis patients who are validly registered in other states, United States territories, or the District of Columbia. Repeals language requiring an initial inperson consultation before physicians and advanced practice registered nurses may make medical cannabis treatment recommendations via telehealth. Prohibits the Department of Health from imposing fees for patients' medical cannabis registration certificates.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS.

Authorizes the counties to sell or dispose of property bordering the ocean when the Department of Transportation requests the acquisition of the property for state highway purposes.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds out of the State Highway Fund for deposit into the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund and apporitates funds out of the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund for fiscal year 2025-2026.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Makes an emergency appropriation out of the State Highway Fund to provide funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the Department of Transportation to enforce the Motor Carrier Law.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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 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 RESIDENT TUITION FEE.

Requires the University of Hawaii to grant the resident tuition fee for enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus to individuals who have graduated from a Hawaii high school and are enrolling in an undergraduate degree program, under certain conditions. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat