Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Increases the liquor manufacturing limits for Class 18 small craft producer pub license holders.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

Defines low alcohol by volume spirits beverages. Establishes lower tax rates for class 18 small craft producer pub licensees, including for low alcohol by volume spirits beverages.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FIFTEENTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 15th senatorial district.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO FOSTER CARE.

Prohibits the Department of Human Services from using any social security income payments, including supplemental income payments it receives on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department to cover the cost of foster care services. Requires the Department of Human Services to deposit all social security income payments received on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department into a savings account that shall be made accessible to the child when the child leaves foster care custody.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

Allows direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees. Requires the Liquor Commission or Liquor Control Adjudication Board of each county to adopt rules and regulations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC.

Provides that if a law enforcement officer lawfully stops a motor vehicle and the operator is cited for driving without a valid license, the officer shall not permit the operator to resume the use of the motor vehicle. Requires the motor vehicle to be moved by a licensed driver or towed at the owner's expense. Provides that the cited operator is responsible for arranging the operator's transportation from the scene of the stop. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires and appropriates funds to pay salary differentials to English language educators as an incentive to attract and retain these educators. Appropriates funds.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Prohibits the sale of flavored nicotine products and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine free. Establishes penalties for violations. Authorizes the Department of Health to appoint, commission, or contract for services of inspectors. Establishes two full-time equivalent program specialist positions and one full-time equivalent hearing officer position. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2026.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for biomarker testing.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Authorizes a tax credit for businesses that pay the public transportation costs of employees. Applies to counties having populations of 700,000 or more. Applies for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024 but not beginning after 12/31/2029. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER LOANS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a teacher loan forgiveness program to assist in the payment of loans for teachers who commit to teaching in the Hawaii public school system. Appropriates funds.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the counties of the State, to establish a 1-year unregistered motor vehicle amnesty pilot program to encourage motor vehicle registration and mandate the surrender or impoundment of unregistered motor vehicles after the expiration of the program. Appropriates moneys.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO TOWING.

In addition to the current requirement that towing companies allow individuals to pay by cash, credit card, or debit card, requires towing companies to have an on-site automatic teller machine. Specifies that a towing company cannot charge for tows if noncompliant.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires Medicaid and private insurance coverage for intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression. Appropriates moneys.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Requires the Department of Human Services to: (1) Prorate or exclude certain income from household members who are ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in determining SNAP household eligibility and benefit levels; (2) Establish a standardized medical expense deduction option for elderly or disabled household members who incur medical expenses above the federal minimum threshold; (3) Establish a pre-release SNAP application process for individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled for release; and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Specifies that the restriction under federal law prohibiting individuals convicted of certain drug-related felonies from receiving SNAP benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits does not apply in Hawaii. Repeals treatment compliance requirements for TANF benefits. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTE-TO-ENERGY.

Authorizes the Hawaii State Energy Office to establish a publicprivate partnership to develop a waste-to-energy generating facility in each county having a population below 800,000. (SD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO RAW MILK.

Authorizes and decriminalizes the sale of raw milk, raw milk products, and raw milk dairy products directly from producers to consumers for human consumption, subject to certain restrictions. Authorizes the direct sale of raw goat milk for pet consumption. Establishes labeling requirements. Requires the Board of Agriculture and Department of Health to adopt rules no later than 7/1/2026.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes the Health Infrastructure Grant Program within the Department of Health, to be administered by the State Health Planning and Development Agency, to support health information technology infrastructure and the implementation of interoperable health information technologies in federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Ryan White HIV/AIDs program centers, and Native Hawaiian health centers. Appropriates funds for the grant program.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

Authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to establish traffic cameras and issue a citation by mail for certain violations of traffic-related laws. Establishes that intentional destruction or damage to a traffic camera is a class C felony.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Allows a patient seen in-person by another health care provider in the same medical group as the prescribing physician to be prescribed an opiate prescription for a three-day supply or less via telehealth.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO OVERDOSE PREVENTION.

Establishes and provides criteria for overdose prevention centers, including standards for the Department of Health to designate certain facilities as overdose prevention centers. Establishes an Overdose Prevention Center Oversight Committee. Provides immunity from state criminal prosecution for certain offenses for persons using a designated overdose prevention center and persons operating a designated overdose prevention center. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health for the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project. Establishes three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOSPITALS.

Establishes the State's Hospital Price Transparency Act. Prohibits hospitals from taking certain debt collection actions against a patient if the hospital is not in compliance with hospital price transparency laws. Allows patients and patient guarantors to file suit against hospitals in violation. Requires hospitals to make public and post their Medicare reimbursement rates no later than 10/1/25 and deems violations as an unfair and deceptive act or practice. Requires the Department of Health to conduct performance assessments of hospitals for adherence to federal transparency rules annually and make a list of hospitals with poor performance available on its website no later than 2/1/2026. Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FITNESS TO PROCEED.

Clarifies who may serve as a qualified examiner in a fitness-to-proceed examination. Clarifies the term of commitment for a defendant being held at a hospital or mental health facility for a fitness-to-proceed examination. Reduces the number of qualified examiners required for a fitness-to-proceed examination in a felony case from 3 to 1. Establishes a reduced penalty, except in certain circumstances, for a person who commits the offense of escape in the second degree while in the custody of the Director of Health. Sunsets the amendments related to fitness-to-proceed examinations on 12/31/26. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO A RATE STUDY FOR HOME HEALTH SERVICES.

Appropriates funding for the Department of Human Services to conduct a rate study for Medicaid home health services in Hawaii.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE.

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to design, implement, and administer trauma-informed organizational assessments and a training curriculum for Child Welfare Services to support the development of a trauma-informed child welfare system in the State. Allows the office to contract with public and private entities to provide necessary services. Appropriates funds.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

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 CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to design a five-year Child Welfare System Diversion and Intervention Pilot Program to support families and children involved, at risk of involvement, or at risk of reinvolvement with Child Welfare Services. Specifies that the Department of Human Services shall implement and administer the pilot program. Allows the Department to contract with public and private entities to provide necessary services. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO BIRTH CERTIFICATES.

Expands the types of health care providers who can submit an affidavit for a new certificate of birth for certain birth registrants.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO DOULAS.

Requires any person providing doula services for compensation or representing or advertising themselves as a certified doula to register with the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes certain rights for certified doulas, including being present during delivery and in any recovery rooms, if requested by the client. Requires the Director to maintain a link to the registry on the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' website. Effective 1/1/2026.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION.

Makes the members of the Elections Commission subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that a partner or member that is a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any taxpayer. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, until 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO GREEN BONDS.

Establishes a Green Bonds Working Group within the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, to determine the feasibility of a green bond financing program for the State.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt by rules, a mandate that the primary caregiver caring for two or three clients in community care foster family homes to be a certified nurse aide or licensed nurse who has completed a state-approved training program and other training as required by the Department and holds a current certified nurse aid certificate or nursing license.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENTAL APPLICATIONS.

Prohibits a landlord from rejecting a rental application solely due to an applicant's inability to provide a recent paycheck. Authorizes the landlord to require the applicant to provide evidence dated within ninety days of the application demonstrating the applicant has sufficient unearned income or liquid assets to cover the rental costs. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Establishes the School Meals Option Pilot Program within the Department of Education to provide healthy meal options to students. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires at least one high school in each school complex area to offer a meal in accordance with the School Meals Option Pilot Program every other week. Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires at least one high school in each school complex area to offer a meal in accordance with the School Meals Option Pilot Program every week. Requires each individual high school to develop guidelines to implement the School Meals Option Pilot Program, subject to Department of Education approval. Requires reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2029.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS.

Increases the mandatory minimum jail sentence for a first conviction of knowingly or intentionally violating a temporary restraining order from forty-eight to seventy-two hours. Requires mandatory mental health counseling for a first conviction of knowingly or intentionally violating a temporary restraining order.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Requires the Department of Taxation to submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing an organizational chart and staffing plan and requirements for the Information Technology Services Office. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Expands the scope of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative Program to include the design, implementation, and administration of pathways for supporting renewable energy and conservation projects that align carbon sequestration with marine ecosystem restoration and opportunities for strengthening carbon accounting methodologies to assist in the quantification and reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FUNDS.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HARBORS.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes the Air Noise and Safety Task Force. Establishes the Airports Advisory Council. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to adopt administrative rules to designate an airport security area within an airport property. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat