Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Authorizes county petition process for review and approval of land use district boundary amendments based on adopted county general plans or county development plans.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Repeals the provision authorizing farm dwellings and farm employee housing on important agricultural lands, amends the provision for priority permit processing to include farm cluster housing, and adopts a new provision establishing farm cluster housing to incentivize the designation of lands as important agricultural lands pursuant to chapter 205, HRS.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Increases the cap for awards to assist businesses applying for the Small Business Innovation Research Grant Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Program of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Adds purchasing of renewable energy systems as an eligible expense and clarifies that training on both new and existing manufacturing equipment is an eligible expense for the Manufacturing Development Grant Program. Clarifies that no tax credit is available for renewable energy systems purchased with a grant received under the Manufacturing Development Grant Program.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Creates a mixed-income rental housing subaccount under the Rental Housing Revolving Fund which shall make loans to mixed-income rental projects or units in a mixed-income rental project. Authorizes the transfer of moneys from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund Mixed-Income Subaccount.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Authorizes the Hawaii Community Development Authority to cooperate with or assist public and private sector entities to engage in projects that improve the State. Establishes the transit-oriented development infrastructure improvement program. Repeals the transit-oriented development infrastructure improvement district and board, under chapter 206E, part X, HRS. Makes additional consistent revisions to chapter 206E.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent. Allows partial or full repayment of Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund interim loans in the form of unit equity through the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Program.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS OF STATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to determine the effect of any proposed State affordable housing project within ninety days of a request for determination. Sets forth the historic review requirements based on the project area's known historic, cultural, and archaeological resources.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONTENTS OF CITATIONS.

Clarifies that the omission of certain information or any error in a citation does not constitute ground for dismissal of a charge or for reversal of a conviction, if the omission or error did not prejudice the defendant.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC.

Revises registration, fee, reporting, and enforcement requirements for charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities with chapter 467B, HRS, requirements. Removes duplication of registration, fee, and reporting requirements for charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF PROMOTING PORNOGRAPHY FOR MINORS.

Authorizes the offense of Promoting Pornography for Minors to be instituted by written information.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PESTICIDE USE REVOLVING FUND.

Increases the ceiling of the pesticide use revolving fund. Effective July 1, 2025.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score, except the summary of scores, during a debriefing requested by a non-selected offeror. Authorizes the disclosure of a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score after a protest is resolved and the contract is executed.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AIR POLLUTION.

Requires owners or operators of waste combustion facilities to develop a plan to implement continuous monitoring and sampling technologies at each combustion unit to monitor and sample for certain air contaminants. Requires a publicly available website hosted by the Department of Health to track and display the data collected on the air contaminants. Requires the Department of Health to adjust permit limits for air contaminants based on the data collected. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish and implement projects to assist small businesses related to the tourism sector with technology enablement. Requires HTDC to submit a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO VEGETATIVE BURNING.

Prohibits the Department of Health from issuing permits for commercial burning of green waste products in residential areas or within one thousand feet of a residential property.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires all playgrounds located in state and county parks and on public school grounds to include special needs recreational playground equipment as part of the recreational apparatuses by 6/30/2027, including at a minimum a wheelchair accessible swing set. Establishes the Special Needs Recreational Playground Equipment Special Fund. Appropriates funds.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO SHIPPING CONTAINER LICENSING.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation the container licensing program to mitigate the influx of illegal contraband into the State. Imposes a nominal licensing fee of $1 per container. Subjects all containers entering the State to inspections and authorizes the seizure of contraband.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Establishes the Department of Environmental Protection. Renames the Department of Health as the Department of Community Health. Renames the Department of Human Services as the Department of Healthcare Services. Administratively attaches the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to the Department of Healthcare Services. Transfers certain responsibilities between departments.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO WARNING LABELS.

Requires, beginning 7/1/2027, any carcinogenic food or product sold or distributed in the State to include a warning label, in a format determined by the Department of Health. Defines "carcinogenic" as a food, product, or chemical classified as group 1 or group 2A by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. Appropriates moneys.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO TRANSITIONAL HOMES.

Establishes the Hawaii Efficient Transitional Homes Commission to provide recommendations for the efficient, effective, and transparent management of transitional homes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes a schedule of late fees to be added to the original unpaid claim amount if a health insurer, mutual benefit society, or health maintenance organization fails to pay a provider within the required time.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits covered entities in the State from entering into contracts with drug manufacturers that limit the covered entities' use of contract pharmacies. Voids contract provisions for certain drugs if the provisions are based on the maximum allowable cost payment model. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action for violations.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide financial literacy curricula plan for public high schools. Requires all public high schools to offer instruction in financial literacy as a requirement for graduation. Requires the Department of Education to provide professional development to teachers on financial literacy. Requires the Board of Education to adopt administrative rules to implement the financial literacy education curriculum.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRESPASS.

Establishes the crime of criminal trespass on agricultural land. Prohibits persons being prosecuted for or convicted of the crime of criminal trespass on agricultural land from owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes a Teacher Workforce Housing Stipend Program to support teacher retention at public and charter schools classified as rural and underserved. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE-OWNED HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND INHERITED LANDS.

Establishes the State-Owned Historic Properties Preservation Plan Working Group within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to ensure the preservation of state-owned historic properties and inherited lands. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY.

Prohibits the abortion of a fetus that is capable of feeling pain. Prohibits abortions by dismemberment. Provides certain exceptions. Establishes penalties.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement negotiated for Bargaining Unit (5), provides annual salary step increases for public school teachers and educational officers who have completed a year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO COMBAT SPORTS.

Establishes the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii. Provides for regulation of combat sports. Prohibits no rules combat or similar contests. Repeals chapter 440E, HRS, relating to Mixed Martial Arts Contests. Appropriates funds.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS.

Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Condominium Associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Updates the Condominium Property Act to integrate the role and functions of the ombudsman's office for condominium associations. Appropriates funds for establishment of the Ombudsman's Office for Condominium Associations.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIME.

Specifies that the penalty for sex trafficking shall be payment of a fine of no less than $200,000 but no more than $500,000, and a definite term of imprisonment of up to 20 years without the possibility of a suspended sentence, probation, or parole. Provides that consent to sexual conduct is not a defense. Defines "sexual conduct". Specifies that a minor who commits an offense under section 712-1207(1)(a), HRS, shall be guilty of a violation instead of a petty misdemeanor. Provides that a person who reports that the person is a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability for an offense involving sex trafficking or prostitution. Increases the penalties for commercial sexual exploitation of a minor. Requires DHS to implement services and programs for survivors and training for law enforcement. Appropriates funds. Requires annual report.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO OAHU CORAL REEF RESILIENCE ENHANCEMENT.

Establishes bag limits for kala, nenue, and uhu fish around the island of Oahu. Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources to conduct population assessments of these fishes and report to the Legislature. Sunsets on 6/30/2035.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

Establishes the Land Dedication for Agricultural Education program within the Department of Education. Requires the Department of Education to consult with the Department of Taxation to establish tax incentives for land developers who dedicate land for educational purposes. Requires the Department of Education to consult with the Department of the Attorney General to establish penalties. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO GREEN BONDS.

Establishes a Green Bonds Working Group within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SERVICE CHARGES.

Prohibits restaurants from imposing a mandatory gratuity service charge for the sale of food or beverage services unless the party includes ten or more customers, the service charge does not exceed eighteen per cent, and the customer is notified of the service charge.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

Clarifies that the prohibition against board and commission holdover members from holding office beyond the end of the second regular legislative session following the expiration of the member's term of office takes precedence over any conflicting statutes.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL TOURISM.

Establishes statewide, uniform standards to promote agricultural tourism activities in the State by establishing state agricultural tourism activity requirements that are applicable to all counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance. Requires agricultural tourism activities to be registered by the county planning commission. Requires agricultural tourism activities to coexist with an agricultural activity on a farming operation and requires termination of the agricultural tourism activities upon cessation of the agricultural activity. Makes conforming amendments.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agricultural Development Corporation for the purchase of an agricultural parcel for agricultural development. Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii Island Property Manager position within the ADC. Appropriates funds.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION.

Establishes general excise tax exemptions for various medical services, including dental services.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO NURSES.

Requires and appropriates moneys for the establishment of a 5-year nurse recertification pilot program to be administered by the Department of Health. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Health to award scholarships to eligible nursing students who agree to teach nursing in Hawaii after graduating.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Increases the number of voter service centers in the State. Requiring all voter services centers to operate during the same days and hours statewide. Clarifies that during each day of operation, during all hours of operation, each voter service center is to provide in-person voter registration, receive absentee and election-by-mail ballots, allow voters to vote in person, and provide voting machine services for persons with disabilities. Appropriates moneys to the counties for the administrative costs of voter service centers.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Repeals state restrictions on the installation and use of sun screening devices, including window tinting, on motor vehicles.

Brenton AwaRepublican

PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO MAKE INCUMBENT LEGISLATORS TEMPORARILY INELIGIBLE FOR SERVICE BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN POPULATION.

Proposes to amend the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to provide that if a United States census shows that the state Native Hawaiian population decreased by no less than 5% since the prior United States census, all state legislators in office at the time of the release of the latter census shall be ineligible to serve in any state legislative office for 1 term, which shall be the 1st term of the applicable legislative office that begins after the release of the latter census.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO WATER CONSERVATION.

Prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate golf courses subject to certain exceptions. Defines potable water.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO THE WORKS OF ART SPECIAL FUND.

Specifies that the works of art special fund's one per cent transfer requirement shall apply only to capital improvement appropriations for the original construction of state buildings. Amends the authority for funds from the works of art special fund to be used only for costs related to the acquisition of works of art. Appropriates funds.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires contracts for services awarded to community-based organizations by the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, or Judiciary in support of fulfilling their statutory mandates to individuals, families, and communities in the State to include certain protections against inflation. Appropriates funds to the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Judiciary to increase the contract price in existing contracts for certain services provided by community-based organizations in support of fulfilling their statutory mandates to individuals, families, and communities in the State.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Prohibits health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations from arbitrarily denying coverage requests for gender affirming health care services when the requested service is known to be considered a standard of care and for which scientific evidence exists that supports the service. Increases transparency of insurance carrier medical necessity reviews and requirements when coverage is denied.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat