Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE.

Updates and establishes additional statewide goals for solid waste stream and organic waste stream diversion. Requires the recycling, bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component to identify and assess methods to achieve certain organic waste stream reduction goals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

Beginning 7/1/2026, authorizes the use of hemp or hemp-derived feed ingredients in commercial feed in the State, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Establishes certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Implements a phased repeal of the state general excise tax on the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs in the State. Prohibits counties from establishing county surcharges on the state general excise tax on gross income or gross proceeds from the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs in the State. Prohibition on county surcharges to be repealed on 12/31/2030.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM.

Repeals provisions requiring all deposit beverage distributors to send monthly or semi-annual distribution reports and supporting records to the Department of Health; develop and submit to the program for approval, an internal control process to ensure accurate data reporting and adequate record maintenance; and obtain biennial independent audits.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Prohibits the sale of nonprescription diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building to any person under eighteen years of age. Requires retail establishments and delivery sellers to follow certain protocols regarding certain products to prevent access by minors to the restricted products. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO LUNG CANCER SCREENING.

Requires the Department of Health to develop by 12/31/2026, standardized educational materials relating to lung cancer screening and language on lung cancer screening information to be included in signage and written notices to be used by retailers of tobacco products. Beginning 1/1/2027, requires retailers engaged in the retail sale of tobacco products to display signage on lung cancer screening at each point of sale and provide written notice on lung cancer screening to each buyer of a tobacco product.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO JURISDICTION.

Amends the factors the Family Court is required to consider in deciding whether the court may waive jurisdiction over a minor held for criminal proceedings. Preserves the Family Court's jurisdiction over a minor transferred for criminal proceedings for subsequent acts that would otherwise be within the Family Court's jurisdiction. Establishes a minimum age of fourteen years for a minor to be waived into another court for murder or attempted murder. Requires the Family Court to retain jurisdiction over a minor if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the minor was trafficked, sexually abused, or raped by the alleged victim in the case, either before or during the commission of the alleged offense. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMUNICATIONS.

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to develop and implement a statewide public education and communications program to promote household emergency preparedness consistent with the Agency's 14-day essential supplies recommendation. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official live broadcast during a state of emergency. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide a primary pool feed that includes the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture‑in‑picture window. Requires reports to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health Incentive Program within the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSURE.

Requires marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, psychologists, and clinical social workers to complete courses related to domestic violence for licensure and renewals.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ADDITIVES IN FOOD.

Beginning January 1, 2027, bans the manufacture, sale, offer of sale, or distribution in the State of any food for human consumption that contains petroleum-based synthetic food dyes and synthetic chemical additives. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PLANT-BASED FOOD AND DRINKS.

Requires the Departments of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Accounting and General Services, and Health to establish a Plant-Based-By-Default Program for food and drinks offered at state-operated prisons, state-licensed hospitals, and government-sponsored events. Requires annual reports to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve any disciplinary action, unless prohibited by the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Amends the collective bargaining negotiation procedure on the repricing of classes within a bargaining unit for public employees. Establishes an impasse procedure to be applied when an employer fails to initiate the negotiation or the parties fail to reach an agreement within 90 days. Repeals existing law that requires a different impasse procedure to apply in those situations. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

Requires the Attorney General to establish a confidential process for persons to anonymously file complaints against public employees. Requires the Attorney General to review and forward the complaints to the department, board, commission, or agency deemed appropriate by the Attorney General. Requires the departments, boards, commissions, and agencies to process the complaint pursuant to their standard complaint-processing procedures and report the disposition to the Attorney General. Authorizes the Attorney General to adopt rules. Requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND.

Allows impasses and disputes relating to the amounts of State and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to be resolved by arbitration. Repeals the prohibition against strikes by members of bargaining units on the issue of the amounts of State and county contributions to the Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO INDEBTEDNESS TO THE STATE.

Repeals the requirement that the disbursing officer immediately begin recovery of the indebtedness regardless of a pending contested case. Amends the maximum amount that a disbursing officer may deduct from an employee's salary, wage, or compensation as recovery of an employee's indebtedness to 5% of the employee's gross income per pay period, with exceptions. Requires a written statement to be provided to the employee at least thirty calendar days before the deduction. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.

Requires the State or a county to reimburse an officer or employee for work-related travel costs that the officer or employee loaned to the State or a county within 30 calendar days of submitting an approved Statement of Completed Travel with detailed expenditures and related receipts. Requires the State or a county to pay interest on a loan not reimbursed within 30 days until the loan is fully reimbursed. Obligates an officer or employee to request a complete refund from the travel vendor for travel not taken through no fault of their own, and entitles an officer or employee to reimbursement from the State or a county when a travel vendor offers no or a partial refund. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

Requires the State, Legislature, and counties to amend rules and policies to ensure that certain employees can transfer accrued vacation and sick leaves if rehired by the State or a county within one calendar year of separation under certain conditions. Extends the allowable break in service for purposes of determining certain state and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund from ninety calendar days to 180 calendar dars under certain conditions. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet during a state of emergency. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast. Requires a news media outlet to display the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture-in-picture window during broadcasts of official emergency announcements.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO CAFETERIA PLANS.

Specifies that the maximum contribution and carryover amounts for a public service flexible spending account plan shall be set in accordance with the annual limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service for cafeteria plans. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO FARM DWELLINGS.

Prohibits residing on agricultural park lots unless within a farm dwelling permitted by the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct inspections of agricultural park lots for unpermitted farm dwellings during fiscal year 2026-2027.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO ARSON.

Requires that defendants convicted of arson offenses be sentenced to mandatory imprisonment and a maximum fine.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING.

Allows the Department of Education to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires that unlicensed teachers hired on an emergency basis make continuous and verifiable progress toward satisfying licensing requirements. Sunsets on 6/30/2031. (HD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL GRANTS.

Establishes the Farming Grant Program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to provide grants to small and midsized farmers. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Establishes a water pollution working group to establish liability standards for water pollution runoffs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRESPASS.

Provides that any person who uses their property, including firearms, hunting animals, or vehicles, to hunt on private land without the permission of the owner or occupier of the land shall be subject to a fine for a first offense and have their property be subject forfeiture to the State for a second or subsequent offense. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Establishes the eighth day of August of each year as "Hawaii Disaster Drill Day". Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, in coordination with all state departments and agencies, to conduct drills and perform other activities for that day.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for purchasing body cameras for adult correctional officers to wear while on duty at state correctional facilities, beginning on or after 7/1/2027.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for businesses to: advertise, display, or offer the price of live-ticket events or short-term lodging without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; and misrepresent any fees or charges in any offer, display, or advertisement for the sale of live‑event tickets or short-term lodging. Specifies that any advertisement, display, or offer of short-term lodging or live-event tickets in compliance with the federal Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees are in compliance with this Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Requires purchase, lease, and power purchase agreements for residential solar energy devices to include a cover page with certain required disclosures. Requires any person or entity that markets, sells, leases, or solicits a residential solar energy device or markets, sells, or solicits power purchase agreements to comply with consumer protection laws. Prohibits any person or entity from installing, marketing, offering financing, or engaging in customer acquisition for a residential solar energy device without holding a contractor's license or having a contractual affiliation with a licensed contractor. Allows for rescission or cancellation of the agreement. Specifies that agreements in violation of the law are voidable. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. Authorizes the use of the Hawaii electricity reliability surcharge for cost recovery of certain expenses of the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator associated with the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Requires a report to the PUC on the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Clarifies that a member can distribute each vote they are entitled to among any or all of the candidates for a planned community association or condominium association board election conducted by cumulative voting. Defines "candidate".

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Authorizes condominium associations and managing agents to charge reasonable costs for administrative services related to providing documentation not already in existence or preparing forms to facilitate a private sales transaction.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits surveillance pricing, or differential pricing based on information collected with electronic surveillance technology. Deems surveillance pricing an unfair and deceptive practice. Provides certain exemptions.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Prohibits condominium associations from charging unit owners attorneys' fees on fines unless deemed collectable. Allows a court to assess charges against a party requesting trial de novo if the requesting party fails to better its position by thirty per cent or more. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICATION LABELING.

Authorizes certain pregnant persons to receive abortion medication with a label that does not bear their name and other identifying information.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Prohibits certain business entities from engaging in election and campaign finance activities.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII REGARDING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 4, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to provide that the participation of non-natural persons in election activities and campaign finance activities may be regulated, restricted, or prohibited as provided by law.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY.

Establishes a working group to recommend the implementation of specific reforms to effectively eliminate the Land Court. Requires a report to the Legislature, including proposed legislation drafted with assistance from the Legislative Reference Bureau. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Reduces the unimpaired minimum capital and surplus that class 4 sponsored captive insurance companies are required to maintain. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Until 12/31/2031, specifies that captive insurance companies that are not risk retention captive insurance companies are subject to examination no later than five years after licensure and any additional examination at the discretion of the Insurance Commissioner. On or after 1/1/2032, subjects captive insurance companies that are not risk retention captive insurance companies to examination at least once every five years. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Exempts a dormant captive insurance company that has been issued a certificate of dormancy from certain taxes and the requirement that its governing body hold at least one meeting each year in the State. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO COMBAT SPORTS.

Renames the State Boxing Commission of Hawaii as the Boxing and Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii. Amends the jurisdiction of the Commission to include combat sports contests. Prohibits no rules combat or similar combat sports contests. Repeals the existing Mixed Martial Arts Contests Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS.

Requires an owner or operator of an underground storage tank or tank system with a confirmed release to meet certain standards for the restoration of the environment. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat