Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to provide and disseminate its procedures for dealing with bullying. Requires principals, teachers, and staff to disseminate the Department's bullying procedures to students. Defines bullying procedures.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS.

Requires that the fees for attorneys retained by a condominium association be paid from an association's funds or reserves, except for collection of delinquent common dues payments from owners. Limits the total and final legal fees to twenty-five per cent of the original debt amount. Requires attorneys retained by a condominium association to confine their communications to the condominium board, except when the attorneys must request and require materials and responses directly from owners for each matter. Prohibits attorneys retained by a condominium association from billing unit owners directly. Specifies the contents of an attorney's billing statement. Requires that a notice of default and intention to foreclose served on a unit owner affords the unit owner the opportunity to respond within thirty days after service of the notice.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO MAUNA KEA.

Authorizes 2 or more members of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority to meet during its transition period regarding any matter relating to the Authority's business; provided that no commitment to vote is made or sought and no decision-making action is taken.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO MAUNA KEA.

Amends the conservation district use permit application, approval, and oversight responsibilities of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, and lessees. Provides that certain conservation district use permits that are in effect as of 7/1/2028, to which the University of Hawaii is a permittee or other named party, shall not be transferred to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Clarifies the requirements for the secure storage of firearms. Amends the offense of criminally negligent storage of a firearm to establish felony penalties for when a minor obtains an unsecured firearm and it results in injury or death.

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Requires a trigger lock for all firearms purchases from a licensed dealer. Requires licensed firearms dealers to provide purchasers with notice regarding the law on firearms storage. Amends the requirements for the secure storage of firearms and establishes fines for violations. Amends the offense of criminally negligent storage of a firearm.

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE IV, SECTIONS 4 AND 6, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING REAPPORTIONMENT.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to specify that reapportionment shall be based on the resident population, as counted in the most recent decennial United States census for the respective reapportionment year, rather than the permanent resident population.

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO FEES FOR PUBLIC RECORDS UNDER CHAPTER 92F.

Imposes a cap on charges for searching for, reviewing, and segregating government records under the Uniform Information Practices Act. Provides for a waiver of fees in certain circumstances when the public interest is served by a government record's disclosure.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EIGHTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the eighth representative district.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

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 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 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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROCUREMENT.

Exempts Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products less than a certain amount from the electronic procurement system requirement. Requires at least three written quotes for Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products between certain amounts. Requires at least two written quotes for Department of Education purchases of local edible produce and packaged food products between certain amounts for certain schools in rural communities. Sunsets 6/30/2028.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN SCHOOLS.

Requires each public school to implement a policy to prohibit students from using cellular phones and other wireless communication devices during school hours, subject to exceptions for education, health, and emergencies.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO CLEAN AND SOBER HOMES.

Requires a county conditional use permit for clean and sober homes with 5 or more residents. Requires registration of all clean and sober homes on registry maintained by the Department of Health. Requires DOH to conduct unannounced inspections of clean and sober homes on at least an annual basis.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO APPROPRIATIONS.

Prohibits the transfer of funds appropriated for positions to operating expenses, and vice versa, except to fulfill the Legislature's purpose for which the funds were appropriated.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Repeals the Public Utilities Commission's authority to penalize electric utility companies that fail to meet the renewable portfolio standards.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Exempts housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from school impact fees.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Establishes ratemaking regulations for insurers who base their rates on a policyholder or applicant's wildfire risk. Amends the definition of "prospective loss costs" to incorporate catastrophe modeling instead of historical aggregate losses. Prohibits insurers from basing certain insurance rates on past loss experience within or outside the State. Requires insurers to provide a list of items that may be covered under a homeowners insurance policy issued or renewed on or after 1/1/2026, as additional living expenses when a claim for additional living expenses is made. If a loss relating to a state of emergency occurs, requires coverage for additional living expenses for a period of not less than 24 months from the loss, subject to other policy provisions. Requires that coverage for additional living expenses not limit a policyholder's right to recovery if the insured home is made uninhabitable by a covered peril and allows an insurer to provide a reasonable alternative remedy that addresses the property condition that precludes reasonable habitation of the insured premises. Requires additional living expenses coverage for at least 2 weeks for certain losses incurred if a state of emergency is accompanied by an order of civil authority restricting access to the home. Beginning on 1/1/2026, requires each newly issued or renewed homeowners insurance policy that covers a property within the State to provide for the replacement cost value of the insured property. Amends the determination of over insurance under section 431:l0E-102, HRS.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Prohibits civil asset forfeiture unless the covered offense is a felony for which the property owner has been convicted. Excludes the forfeiture proceedings for an animal pending criminal charges. Requires the Attorney General to deposit the net proceeds of the forfeited property to the credit of the state general fund.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEFENSE OF STATE EMPLOYEES.

Requires the State to defend professionally licensed or certified state employees from civil actions or proceedings, under certain circumstances. Clarifies that the employee may employ their own attorney at the employee's own expense. Establishes a process for the Attorney General to transfer or withdraw representation if the Attorney General declines to defend the employee.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS.

Prohibits the sale, offer, possession with intent to sell, display, distribution, or trade of fur products in the State, with certain exceptions. Establishes civil penalties for violations. Effective 6/30/2025.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS.

Requires state agencies that monitor environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels (EALs) to ensure the preservation of a safe environment. Prohibits modifications to EALs unless certain procedural requirements are met. Establishes a process to allow any resident to petition for modifications to an established EAL.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to achieve full funding status, including estimated payment increases, of Medicaid home- and community-based services.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO NUISANCE ABATEMENT.

Requires the court to impose a mandatory fine per violation for nuisance abatement laws related to gambling offenses. Allows citizens who bring civil nuisance abatement suits against places used for illegal gambling the same rights and protections as those afforded to victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Makes financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult by a caregiver a Class A felony.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO DUST MONITORING.

Requires landfills to have dust monitoring stations.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Kamaaina Homes Program to provide funding to the counties to purchase voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or homebuyers.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER FLUORIDATION.

Requires certain water suppliers in the State to adjust the fluoride level in their public water systems to the applicable United States Department of Health and Human Services standards for optimal water fluoridation levels. Exempts federal water suppliers. Requires water suppliers to test water systems for fluoride levels at intervals established by the Department of Health. Requires the Department of Health to provide training to water suppliers for the implementation of water fluoridation. Requires the Department of Health to submit annual reports to the Legislature.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY SERVICE LICENSES.

Allows a dental graduate from a dental college accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada to be an eligible candidate for a community service license (CSL). Repeals the requirement that the licensing examinations be completed within five years of a request for a CSL. Repeals the requirement that a CSL applicant provide a copy of an active, unrestricted dental practice license form another state. Repeals the prohibition against a person who failed the license examination from obtaining a CSL. Requires a CSL to be eligible for conversion to an unrestricted dental practice license when a dental provider who holds a CSL completes at least five thousand hours of community service to patients in the State.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS.

Allows a person who has been convicted of 3 misdemeanors committed in Ewa Beach, Kapolei, or Waianae, to be sentenced to a term of geographic restriction during which the person is prohibited during certain hours from entering the specific area where the acts occurred. Mandates a sentence of imprisonment for 30 days for a violation of the geographic restriction.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO FIREARMS AMMUNITION.

Requires the licensing of sellers of ammunition, and for the identification and proper permitting of purchasers or possessors of ammunition. Regulates ammunition in the same manner that firearms are regulated.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Places oversight of the School Impact Fee Program under the School Facilities Authority Board. Allows the School Facilities Authority Board to dissolve a school impact district without a public hearing.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Amends the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO VACANT STATE POSITIONS.

Requires that state public service positions vacant for longer than 2 years be removed from the state budget.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO ACCESSIBILITY.

Establishes that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice for public accommodations to deny a person with a disability full and equal enjoyment of information related to their 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.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Conforms the Hawaii income tax laws to the provision of the American Rescue Plan Act relating to tax treatment of restaurant revitalization grants. Applies retroactively to taxable years beginning after 12/31/24.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Provides that the Liquor Commission or other licensing agency of each county shall deny the renewal of certain current liquor licenses upon receipt of sufficient protests.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO A STATE LOTTERY.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of a state lottery.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to fund and administer core homelessness services.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Replaces the boards of registration with on-call circuit judges to hear elections disputes.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.

Defines stages of wildfire suppression efforts.

Gene WardRepublican

RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL ENERGY EXPLORATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the exploration and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaii island.

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ATHLETICS.

Short form bill relating to University of Hawaii athletics.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Establishes a working group for legal services for youth in the child welfare system within the judiciary. Appropriates funds for the working group.

Lisa MartenDemocrat