Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop a model that assesses the fiscal impacts of land use development projects and regional infrastructure investments. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO IRRIGATION.

Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds and appropriates funds to finance capital improvement projects for irrigation systems in the State. Converts the means of financing from the Irrigation System Revolving Fund to the general fund for certain positions in the Department of Agriculture. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO NOISE POLLUTION.

Establishes a private right of action for any person aggrieved by a violation of the Federal Aviation Act and existing federal laws to bring a civil action against the owner or operator of the helicopter in violation and collect damages and litigation costs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

Establishes that intentional destruction or damage to a traffic camera is a class C felony. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

LA CHICA

RELATING TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION INCENTIVES.

Codifies and makes permanent the Hawaii Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Amends the quorum requirement for the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL.

Amends the renewable fuels production tax credit by: increasing the tax credit rate; specifying that the credit may be claimed for fuels that meet certain lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and product transportation emissions thresholds; adding credit values for low lifecycle emissions renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuels produced; allowing a taxpayer who previously claimed a credit to claim another credit for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024; amending the credit period to be for a maximum period of ten consecutive years beginning from the effective date of this Act; and amending the required information in the certified statement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC.

Revises registration, fee, reporting, and enforcement requirements for charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities that solicit funds from the public. Removes duplication of registration, fee, and reporting requirements for charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities. Effective 1/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

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 INTEREST ON INSURANCE PROCEEDS RELATED TO A MORTGAGE LOAN.

Requires Hawaii financial institutions, during a declared state of emergency, and mortgage servicers to determine whether insurance proceeds are to be applied to a mortgage or be placed into an interest-bearing escrow account. Prohibits charging a fee for the maintenance or disbursement of the interest earned from the interest-bearing escrow account. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS.

Requires a seller or its agent in a residential real property transaction to disclose that the United States Postal Service cannot deliver mail or packages to the residential real property being offered for sale.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO EMERGENCY CHARTER AIR SERVICES.

Requires the Air Carrier Commission to enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to secure emergency air transportation services in cases of emergency when no other air service is available. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

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 THE REGULATION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

Repeals existing statutory language that: declares that the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic devices are a statewide concern; and preempts all local ordinances and regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic devices. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

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 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 ORDERS FOR PROTECTION.

Reinstates mandatory minimum jail sentences for successive violations of the same order for protection. Removes the distinction between domestic and non-domestic violations of an order for protection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR CAREER CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu for the career criminal prosecution unit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

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

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the Victim Witness Assistance Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.

Requires all state agencies proposing, adopting, amending, or repealing a rule to make the full text of the rules of the agency available on the website of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in a digitally accessible and searchable format. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO CERTIFIED CAREGIVERS.

Lowers the minimum age for certified caregivers for adult foster homes from twenty-one to eighteen. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

LAMOSAO

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires condominium associations to repair defective conditions of common elements that constitute health or safety violations. Allows unit owners to make the repairs at the association's expense.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Prohibits a person from lending a firearm to a person who does not have a firearm permit or does not have a registered firearm. Requires an adult who is borrowing a firearm to have either a firearm permit or a registered firearm, and not be prohibited to own or possess a firearm. Specifies that an adult who is twenty-one years of age or older may be lent a rifle or shotgun for a period not to exceed twelve hours. Repeals the authorization to use a rifle or shotgun outside of the State for up to seventy-five days. Repeals the authorization to lend a rifle or shotgun without a permit.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL RIGHTS PROTECTIONS.

Requires state and local law enforcement agencies to notify an individual of their rights when in law enforcement agency custody before any interview with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on certain matters regarding immigration violations. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ATTORNEYS' FEES.

Limits the accrued attorneys' fees and costs in matters relating to, or actions brought as a result of, construction defects to twenty-five per cent of the recovery amount. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO SMALL BUSINESS LOANS.

Establishes the Hawaii Start-Up Business Loan Program within the Business Development and Support Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes the Hawaii Start-Up Business Loan Program Special Fund. Requires DBEDT to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes one full-time equivalent business loan officer position. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLABORATION WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

Allows state and county law enforcement agencies to collaborate with the federal government for immigration purposes in only limited, specific circumstances.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Provides that a condominium board's or its officer's or member's failure to maintain the minimum required balance for a condominium's replacement reserves fund may constitute a violation of the fiduciary duty owed. Establishes a minimum balance for a condominium association's replacement reserves fund, with an exception for sufficient assessments. Effective 9/1/2025.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO HARASSMENT BY STALKING.

Makes harassment by stalking a class C felony.

LAMOSAO

RELATING TO WATER USE.

Authorizes the Board of Agriculture to investigate and survey the availability of nonpotable water. Authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management, as a condition for issuing permits, to require the use of dual line water supply systems in new residential and mixed-use developments located in designated water management areas. Authorizes those residential and mixed-use developments to be included in irrigation projects, as defined in chapter 167, HRS. Requires the Department of Health, Board of Agriculture, and counties to update their rules, ordinances, to allow dual line water supply systems in residential and mixed-use developments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO THERAPY SERVICES.

Expands the scopes of practice for occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech pathologists employed by or contracted with the Department of Education to diagnose students with a medical condition in an educational setting and treat the students. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders and the requirements to obtain the international teacher license. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

Authorizes the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to enforce its own orders. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO SERVICE DISRUPTIONS.

Requires hotelkeepers to provide adequate notice of strikes and lockouts to guests and third-party vendors under certain conditions. Allows for recovery of damages by injured parties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

AQUINO

RELATING TO VEHICLE SAFETY.

Creates additional fines for any individual found operating a vehicle or moped without a current certificate of inspection.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

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)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies the authority of condominium associations to impose fines for violations of the declaration, bylaws, house rules, or regulations adopted by the condominium association. Establishes a process for the unit owner or tenant of the unit owner to appeal the imposition of a fine. Clarifies the responsibilities of unit owners to pay common expense assessments. Clarifies the rights and process for unit owners to appeal assessments other than common expense assessments. Specifies that the Small Claims Division has exclusive jurisdiction over cases arising from condominium disputes regarding fines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Prohibits the collection, sale, or disclosure of any driver data that is obtained by a motor vehicle or other connected car service, feature, or application to any third-party without the explicit consent of the owner or lessee of the vehicle. Designates exemptions. Requires any disclosure notification for any data collection to be clear and conspicuous. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Removes from the definition of "public lands" lands set aside by the Governor to the counties for the purpose of affordable housing. Specifies that lands set aside by the Governor to the counties for affordable housing require legislative approval for the sale or gift of such lands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUNSHINE LAW.

Authorizes any member of a board to attend an informational meeting or presentation on matters relating to board business; provided that the meeting or presentation is not specifically and exclusively organized for or directed toward members of the board. Repeals the requirement of a subsequent report of attendance and the matters presented and discussed that related to board business at the informational meeting or presentation.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT RECORDS.

Amends the Uniform Information Practices Act to require each contract to perform a government function to expressly require the contractor to retain records in accordance with the retention schedule of the agency and provide the agency with access to all records subject to the Uniform Information Practices Act; define "government function" and "trade secret"; clarify that "government record" includes information that is created, received, maintained, or used by a private person in performance of a government function contract; and prohibit agencies from denying a request for access to records of a contractor used in the performance of a government function on the basis of trade secret or other proprietary information. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTORCYCLE INSTRUCTION PERMITS.

Starting on July 1, 2026, requires all applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to successfully complete a basic motorcycle rider course approved by the Department of Transportation before becoming eligible for the permit. Designates exemptions for certain drivers on an enclosed training course. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO NOISE.

Beginning 7/1/2028, prohibits the sale of any leaf blower, string trimmer, or weed whacker that does not meet the ANSI B-175.2 class 1 rating. Increases fines for violations of leaf blower, string trimmer, and weed whacker restrictions. Beginning 7/1/2028, prohibits government entities from purchasing leaf blowers, string trimmers, or weed whackers that do not meet the ANSI B-175.2 class 1 rating. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mike LeeDemocrat

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 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes within the Department of Human Resources Development the State Internship and Workforce Development Program. Establishes positions within the Department. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MED-QUEST DIVISION TO COVER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN SCHOOL-BASED SETTINGS.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Authorizes counties, after adoption of power of sale laws, ordinances, or rules, to sell private property after all notices, orders, and appeal proceedings are exhausted, and to use those revenues to pay unpaid civil fines related to that property. Requires the county to remit any amounts in excess of the unpaid civil fines to the property owner. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat