Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO FIREFIGHTING.

Requires the State Fire Marshal to establish a Statewide Firefighting Helicopter Program. Appropriates funds for the State Fire Marshal to obtain helicopters, facilities equipment, drones, and supplies; hire and train staff; and do other things necessary to ensure that the Program is ready to begin providing aerial firefighting services on 7/1/2026.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LAPAKAHI MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT.

Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules lifting the moratorium on fishing in the Lapakahi Marine Life Conservation District.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO FOOD SUPPLY.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to identify sites throughout the State that are suitable for the development of slaughterhouses. Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to plan, design, construct, and operate certain animal slaughterhouses throughout the State. Makes appropriations.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to incorporate into their assessment process the possession of dam insurance or the active seeking of dam insurance by private dam owners, as part of their valid mitigation strategies, in conjunction with approved modifications or repairs. Authorizes the DLNR to relax any restrictions and stringent standards on a dam or appurtenance upon verification of certain insurance coverage. Authorizes the DLNR to consider a dam, reservoir, or appurtenance is safe absent certain documents. Shifts the burden of proof to the DLNR to find that a dam is categorized as high-risk. Establishes additional requirements for the DLNR and Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the Dam and Appurtenance Improvement or Removal Grant Program.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO MEAT PROCESSING.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop, construct, and support facilities that can accommodate shock aging processes for meat products. Appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Agricultural Development Revolving Fund for programmatic funding relating to facilities using shock aging processes for meat products. Authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to contract with existing and future slaughterhouses in the State.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Deputy Director of Highways of the Department of Transportation to be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO MINIMUM WAGE.

Beginning September 30, 2028, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to annually calculate an adjusted minimum wage rate to within the nearest twenty-five cents using the Urban Hawaii Consumer Price index to take effect on January 1 of the following year unless the adjustment would result in a lower minimum wage rate.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

Repeals existing law that preempted local ordinances or regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices and nullified and voided any conflicting local laws and regulations. Allows counties to adopt ordinances that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices that do not conflict with and are more stringent than the state law that govern smoking.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION.

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

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

Requires defendants convicted of causing the death or disability of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child by the operation of a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant to make restitution in the form of financial support to each child of the victim.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO LABOR.

Short form bill relating to labor.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Hawaii State Fellows Program within the Department of Human Resources Development to match talented applicants with full-time, paid fellowship roles in various state agencies for a period of ten to eleven months. Establishes minimum qualifications and procedures for eligible applicants to apply to the program. Gives preference to eligible program applicants who have pre-existing ties to the State or a demonstrated commitment to long-term leadership in the State. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, to coordinate with state agencies to implement and promote the program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Short form bill relating to human services.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC BICYCLES.

Increases the minimum age for use of low-speed electric bicycles. Prohibits the selling or offering for sale of bicycles equipped with motors except low-speed electric bicycles. Requires sellers of low-speed electric bicycles to provide purchasers with educational materials.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO THE SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES FEE PROGRAM.

Establishes a Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture that, beginning 1/1/2026, imposes a fee on the distribution and sale of sugar-sweetened beverages in the State. Establishes the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Special Fund. Requires moneys in the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Special Fund to be expended for the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program and administration of the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Program. Allows the Department to contract with a third-party to administer the program. Requires the Auditor to conduct a management and financial audit of the program. Requires the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture to adopt rules by 12/31/2025. Establishes criminal and civil penalties. Requires reports to the Legislature and the Governor. Appropriates funds.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE.

No later than January 1, 2026, requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to install and maintain automated external defibrillators in all state buildings, including all public schools. Requires DAGS to establish a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and work with the counties to implement the plan into the counties' emergency service provider protocols. Requires DAGS to provide trainings on the use of automated external defibrillators and the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for state employees and security staff of certain state agencies. Makes appropriations.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, requires each public, private, and charter school in the State to establish a program within the health education curriculum for high school students to provide instruction in CPR. Specifies instruction requirements. Waives liability for instruction under certain circumstances.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's Research and Economic Analysis Division to conduct a comprehensive study to assess the impacts of minimum wage increases on small businesses and the overall economic health of the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Makes an appropriation.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to develop a succession planning education program to educate and assist farmers and ranchers in the process of transitioning agricultural businesses to new owners. Requires the program to connect individuals interested in entering farming or ranching, or existing farmers or ranchers interested in expanding their business, with farmers and ranchers who have not yet identified a successor owner. Appropriates funds.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department of Education to require the teaching of financial literacy to be included in the existing personal transition plan requirement for each student.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to prepare environmental impact statements for the Iwilei/Kapalama and University of Hawaii West Oahu transit-oriented development infrastructure improvement districts on the island of Oahu.

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 A STATEWIDE DATA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE GOVERNANCE AND DECISION INTELLIGENCE CENTER.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a data and artificial intelligence governance and decision intelligence center and necessary positions to improve data quality and data sharing statewide.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings for certain persons. Requires coverage for all colorectal cancer screenings in the State to be consistent with the Affordable Care Act Implementation Frequently Asked Questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Appropriates funds for the operating and capital improvement budget of the Executive Branch for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Requires newly installed or modified individual wastewater systems that are near the shoreline, or likely to pollute groundwater, to include denitrification capacity.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING.

Requires the Department of Education to offer training for teachers, educational officers, and school-based behavioral health specialists on sex trafficking prevention and response.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO MEAL BREAKS.

Prohibits employers from requiring employees to work for more than five consecutive hours without a meal break unless otherwise provided in collective bargaining agreements. Establishes penalties.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires and appropriates moneys for the Public Utilities Commission to establish standards requiring each electric utility company to remove from the rate base a commensurate amount of costs related to fossil fuel resources when adding new or converted renewable electrical energy and renewable energy resources.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EAST-WEST CENTER.

Exempts the Center for Cultural and Technical Exchange Between East and West, Inc. from the qualifying standards and conditions related to the receipt of funds contained in chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, provided that if the center contracts with a recipient or provider, then the conditions in chapter 42F, shall apply to that recipient or provider and the contract.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.

Establishes a pilot program in the Department of Health to provide intensive mobile treatment-type services, e.g., "street psychiatry", to chronically houseless adult individuals suffering from serious brain disorders like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO WEAPONS.

Prohibits any person from openly carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. Includes bladed weapon in the list of deadly or dangerous weapons. Establishes an affirmative defense to a prosecution for the purposes of lawful self-defense and transporting a weapon.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO EQUITABLE GENDER REPRESENTATION ON CORPORATE BOARDS.

Requires publicly held domestic corporations to have gender-diverse boards of directors. Requires the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to publish certain reports on the Department's website. Establishes penalties.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS.

Allows persons entitled to park in disabled parking spaces to report vehicles illegally parked in disabled parking spaces to the Department of Law Enforcement. Upon receipt of a legitimate report, requires the Department to send a notice to the offender informing them of the report and advising them of the law and penalties for illegally parking in a handicapped space.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

Creates an incremental prohibition on tobacco products and electronic smoking devices by restricting their sale, possession, furnishing, or consumption in a public place to people born after 1/1/2005. Effective 1/1/2026.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO LABOR STANDARDS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

Establish certain minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios for hospitals. Establishes a process to obtain a variance from the minimum registered nurse staffing standards. Requires hospitals to establish hospital registered nurse staffing committees by 9/1/2025 to develop and adopt registered nurse staffing plans. Requires the staffing committees to submit a charter to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Beginning 7/1/2026, requires hospitals to submit their registered nurse staffing plan on an annual basis, and implement the staffing plan. Establishes a complaint and appeals process and penalties. Appropriates funds.

AQUINO

RELATING TO LEAF BLOWERS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale or offer for sale of gasoline-powered leaf blowers. Repeals the exemption on leaf blower restrictions for government agencies.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX HAVEN ABUSE.

Requires corporations to include the income of all foreign subsidiaries to the State. Applies the State's apportionment formula to determine the share of reported profits subject to the appropriate tax. Effective 1/1/2026.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Authorizes a county with a pre-existing surcharge to continue the surcharge after December 31, 2030, at a lower rate of one-fourth per cent. Authorizes counties that have not adopted a surcharge ordinance on state tax to adopt a surcharge ordinance at the current rate of one-half of one per cent through December 31, 2030, and at a rate of one-fourth of one per cent after December 31, 2030. Expands the authorized use of surcharge revenues to more than capital costs of a locally preferred alternative for a mass transit project for counties with a population greater than five hundred thousand.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds to support educational training programs to expand the State's health care workforce. Allocates funds to the Department of Education for health care certificate programs and classroom renovations for health care training in public high schools. Allocates funds to the University of Hawaii for education programs that support certified nurse assistants in becoming licensed practical nurses.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO ELDER CRIME VICTIMS.

Removes state of mind requirement pertaining to a victim's age for felony assaults aggravated by the victim's age. Raises the threshold age from 60 years of age or older to 65 years of age or older.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST MINORS.

Increases the penalty for promoting minor-produced sexual images to a felony if the person is more than 3 years older than the minor. Extends the probationary term for felony obscenity offenses. Tolls the statute of limitations for obscenity offenses during a victim's minority. Requires sex offender registration for felony obscenity offenses involving minors.

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. Eliminates the court's ability to suspend mandatory minimum sentences.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.

Extends the deadline to register to vote by mail from 30 to 10 days prior to a primary or general election. Repeals obsolete language regarding permanent absentee ballots.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Increases the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all state and county elective offices. Amends section 11-425, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), by increasing the maximum amount of public funds available for each election for candidates (1) for Mayor of the County of Kauai and the County of Maui by 125%; (2) for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from $1,500 to 10% of the expenditure limit established in section 11-423(d), HRS; and (3) for candidates for all other offices by 50%. Amends section 11-429(a), HRS, by increasing the amounts of qualifying contributions for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from more than $1,500 in the aggregate to more than $5,000 in the aggregate. Provides a downward adjustment of the amounts of qualifying contributions for the Office of Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, and County of Kauai and for the Office of County Council for the County of Maui. Provides for an unspecified appropriation to pay for the increase in the partial public financing program. Provides for an appropriation in the amount of $200,000 for the Commission to hire 2 additional staff members.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIFORM ANTITRUST PRE-MERGER NOTIFICATION ACT.

Establishes the Uniform Antitrust Pre-Merger Notification Act.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO AN ATMOSPHERIC CARBON CAPTURE PLANT.

Directs the Hawaii State Energy Office, in conjunction with the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, to conduct a feasibility study for the construction of an atmospheric carbon capture plant in the State. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat