Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO MEDICAL RECORDS.

Repeals the requirement for the Department of Health to approve a health care provider's arrangement for the retention and preservation of patients' medical records before the provider ceases operations. Clarifies that retention and preservation of medical records must be consistent with federal and state regulations and requires providers to notify patients on how to access or request copies of their medical records. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AMENDING SECTION 323D-54, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, TO EXEMPT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FROM CERTIFICATE OF NEED REQUIREMENTS.

Exempts health care facilities operated or services provided by the Department of Health, chronic renal dialysis centers, and psychiatric behavioral health services from the State Health Planning and Development Agency's certificate of need requirements. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKERS.

Specifies that intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a protective services worker who is engaged in the performance of the worker's duties is a class C felony. Clarifies that a protective services worker is a public servant for the purposes of section 707-716, HRS, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Provides an emergency appropriation for the Department of Human Services to reinvest in the ongoing development of a new eligibility system for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Makes an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2024-2025. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 has been exceeded. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ACT 253, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 2023.

Updates the name of the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program established by Act 253, SLH 2023, by replacing the term "visually impaired" with the term "low vision" and clarifies the pilot program's implementation timeframes. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SEWER TRANSMISSION LINES.

Requires that all county sewer transmission lines on Hawaiian home lands in compliance or brought into compliance by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, are licensed or dedicated to the respective county within sixty days after the receipt by the appropriate county agency of a completed application for maintenance request.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.

Clarifies the Hawaii Public Housing Authority?s powers relating to housing projects. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

Clarifies that Act 130, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, shall take effect on either the date of the Secretary of the Interior's notification letter to the Congressional Committee Chairpersons that this Act meets none of the criteria in title 43 Code of Federal Regulations section 48.20, or on the date that the United States Congress approval becomes law. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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 FAMILY RESILIENCE PILOT PROGRAM.

Establishes the Family Resilience Pilot Program within the Office of Wellness and Resilience and appropriates funds to execute the program, including the contracting of services. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. Repeals 6/30/2030. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FUNDS.

Allocates interest earned on balances within the emergency and budget reserve fund to the general fund in years in which the emergency and budget reserve fund's balance exceeds the State's fund balance objective. For any fiscal year following a fiscal year in which emergency and budget reserve fund interest is deposited into the general fund, requires the Governor to include in the budget or supplemental budget submitted to the Legislature a request that an amount of general funds equal to the amount of interest deposited be expended to advance projects that address climate change impacts. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE.

Directs the Office of Wellness and Resilience to collaborate with the Department of Human Services to, either directly or by contract, design, administer, and implement a program for trauma-informed organizational assessments and a training curriculum for the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department of Human Services. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE USE OF PUBLIC LANDS.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to consult with the Department of Education and other impacted departments or agencies before the conveyance of ownership rights or lease of lands to the School Facilities Authority. Repeals the requirement that the Department of Education transfer title to lands it holds upon request of the School Facilities Authority. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPUTER SCIENCE LEGISLATIVE REPORT.

Changes the due date of the Department of Education's annual computer science legislative report from June 30 to October 31. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THERAPY SERVICES.

Expands the scopes of practice for occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech pathologists to allow those professionals working for or contracted by the Department of Education to diagnose medical conditions that can be treated with their respective services.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Adds the Superintendent of Education and Chairperson of the Board of Education to the School Facilities Authority Board as ex officio, nonvoting members. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.

Amends the laws concerning the Office of the State Fire Marshal to best effectuate the recommendations of the "Phase 3" Forward-Looking Report by Fire Safety Research Institute on the August 2023 Maui wildfires. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR SPECIAL FUND.

Requires funds repaid by a stipend recipient of the Early Childhood Educator Stipend Program to be deposited into the Early Learning Special Fund. Repeal the Early Childhood Educator Special Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.

Establishes the Community Readiness Centers Program to be implemented and administered by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Establishes the Community Readiness Centers Special Fund to fund the Community Readiness Centers Program. Renames the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Environmental Response, Energy, Food Security, and Resilience Tax and directs a portion of the tax into the Community Readiness Centers Special Fund. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys to acquire lands for community readiness centers and for an emergency operations center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INTEREST ON INSURANCE PROCEEDS RELATED TO A MORTGAGE LOAN.

Requires licensed mortgage servicers and financial institutions to pay interest on insurance proceeds held for the benefit of consumers. Provides that a fee shall not be charged to the borrower in connection with the maintenance or disbursement of interest earned from interest-bearing accounts. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL COSTS.

Makes emergency appropriations for fiscal year 2024-2025 to the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Judiciary for payroll and fringe benefits of affected Department of Law Enforcement personnel. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO LONG DURATION CLEAN ENERGY STORAGE.

Renames the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen Program to the Hawaii Renewable Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Program (Program). Amends the required activities of the Program, including conducting engineering and economic evaluations of potential locations for long duration clean energy storage and pumped storage hydroelectric projects. Renames the Hydrogen Investment Special Fund to the Hydrogen and Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Investment Capital Special Fund. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INTEGRATED LAND USE.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to conduct an integrated land use study for the use of lands within the agricultural districts. Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) planner position. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GREENHOUSE GAS SEQUESTRATION TASK FORCE.

Repeals the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STADIUM AUTHORITY.

Clarifies requirements to establish a quorum to do business and validate acts of the Stadium Authority. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Authorizes the use of county surcharge revenues for transportation and housing infrastructure in counties having a population of 500,000 or less. Authorizes counties that have previously adopted a surcharge on state tax ordinance after July 1, 2015, to amend the uses of the surcharge. Extends the period within which a county with a population of 500,000 or less may collect a surcharge on state tax, under certain conditions, to 12/31/2047. Authorizes cost-sharing with private or other public developers for housing infrastructure projects funded by surcharge revenues. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LAND STUDY BUREAU SOIL RATING SYSTEM.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in coordination with other agencies, to update the soil data used in the land study bureau soil rating system and create a mechanism for regular soil data updates. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Defines the term "agricultural tourism" and includes it in the definition of "enterprise" to authorize the Agribusiness Development Corporation to financially support farming businesses engaged in agricultural tourism. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace existing chapters related to advance health care directives and advance mental health care directives. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Establishes an adjudication system and procedures to process fireworks infractions. Amends multiple definitions and penalties for fireworks offenses, including heightened penalties if another person suffers substantial bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death as a result of the fireworks offenses. Establishes various criminal offenses and penalties related to fireworks or articles pyrotechnics. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.

Beginning July 1, 2025, extends the term of the Oversight Coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Clarifies that the Oversight Coordinator has the general authority to inspect agencies and correctional facilities without notice. (SD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COURT-ORDERED PAYMENTS.

Requires the Judiciary to contract with a collection agency or licensed attorney to collect delinquent court-ordered fees, fines, sanctions, and court costs. Repeals the authority of the Judiciary to contract with a collection agency or licensed attorney to collect delinquent restitution. Expressly allows courts to specify a period of time or installments for payment of fees and restitution. Requires district courts to hold payment compliance hearings once per year or as soon as practicable, until all fees, fines, and restitution are fully paid, and requires a defendant in district court to appear and show cause if the defendant fails to pay in full within a time specified by the court or fails to pay three consecutive installments. Makes conforming amendments to related statutes. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS RELATED TO THE MAUI WILDFIRES.

Establishes the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund to be administered by the Attorney General. Appropriates funds to fund the settlement of claims related to the 2023 Maui wildfires. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS REPORTING.

Amends the annual reporting requirements imposed on the Department of the Attorney General and the chief of police of each county regarding licenses to carry firearms.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ABOLITION OF JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY FOR GOVERNMENT ENTITIES IN HIGHWAY-RELATED CIVIL ACTIONS.

Abolishes joint and several liability for government entities in claims and cases relating to the maintenance and design of highways. Makes government entities liable only for the percentage share of the damages actually attributable. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS.

Clarifies and updates the sex trafficking and promoting prostitution criminal offense statutes by clarifying the definition of "profits from prostitution" and making technical and other housekeeping amendments. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE, ITS OFFICERS, OR ITS EMPLOYEES.

Makes appropriations and approves payments for claims against the State, its officers, and its employees. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS.

Deletes the term "agent of the contractor" in sections 28-17 and 846-2.7, HRS. Clarifies that contractors, contractor's employees, and subcontractors who have access to federal tax information held by the Department of the Attorney General may be subject to fingerprint-based background checks. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PLANS.

Removes outdated requirements for plans filed with the registrar's office; updates the statutory fee schedule to reflect those adopted in chapter 40 of title 3, HAR; grants additional discretion to the Department of Accounting and General Services to approve the format of plans; and updates permissible drawing scales used in plans. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Establishes a Procurement Automation System Special Fund. Designates the Executive Director of the School Facilities Authority as the Chief Procurement Officer for the School Facilities Authority. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS.

Updates the Agricultural Loan Program by lowering interest rates, increasing and standardizing loan limits, and reducing the number of credit denials. Authorizes the Program to issue lines of credit. Creates a new class of loans to encourage large scale agriculture of import replacement crops grown for the Farm to State Program. Appropriates funds into and out of the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Establishes conditions under which archaeological inventory surveys and reconnaissance surveys are required. Establishes conditions under which archaeological permits may be issued and revoked and the practice of archaeology may be temporarily revoked. Modifies the composition and operations of island burial councils. Modifies procedures upon the inadvertent discovery of burial sites. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Requires government entities to seek reimbursement for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses for persons who require rescue after leaving a hiking trail to enter an area closed to the public or hiking on a trail closed to the public, and there is a sign giving notice of the closure.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AQUACULTURE INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT.

For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025, establishes a 5-year aquaculture investment tax credit for taxpayers that incur qualifying investment costs relating to qualified aquaculture businesses. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Provides the amount of recovery for tenants who prevail in civil suits for a landlord's violation of the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code concerning a dwelling unit within an area that was a federally declared disaster area as of 8/8/2023. Provides for reasonable attorneys' fees and recovery for the cost of the suit. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

Prohibits the sale of raw ahi, including ahi poke or processed ahi, in retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

Limits moving violations arising from the operation of a motor vehicle that appear on traffic abstracts to those that resulted in convictions. Requires the Traffic and Emergency Period Violations Bureaus to remove all dismissed moving violations not resulting in a conviction from certified abstracts. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Samantha DeCorteRepublican