Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes the Electric Vehicle Charging System and Infrastructure Funding Program and allows the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount to expend funds for the Program. Increases the amount of petroleum tax to be deposited into the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount. Appropriates funds.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Transit-Oriented Community Improvement Partnership within the Department of Transportation. Establishes the Community Improvement Special Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds into and out of the special fund for the partnership and positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE BANYAN DRIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

Establishes the Banyan Drive-Makaokū Community Development District and Banyan Drive-Makaokū Redevelopment Agency within the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Establishes the Banyan Drive-Makaokū Community Development District Special Fund. Specifies the powers and duties of the Authority as it relates to the new development district and amends the composition of the Authority to include representatives of the new development district. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER.

Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources a working group to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the governance and structure of the Commission on Water Resource Management to ensure that it effectively fulfills its constitutional public trust responsibilities while maintaining operational efficiency and implementation capacity. Sunsets the working group on 1/1/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

Provides for the repeal of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and reversion of management authority over Mauna Kea lands to the University of Hawaii if the timelines specified in Act 255, SLH 2022, are not met. Establishes a deadline of 7/1/2030 for the transfer of appropriations, records, equipment, and other property to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. Authorizes the Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to an additional 10-year term. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO OUTDOOR ADVERTISING.

Increases the penalties for any person who violates the State's laws relating to the display of billboards or any outdoor advertising device. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSERVATION BANKING.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources and certain public or private entities to operate conservation banks, subject to approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources, for situations where a person or entity is required to provide compensatory mitigation to offset adverse impacts to threatened, endangered, candidate, or proposed species as part of an approved incidental take license and habitat conservation plan. Adds the Associate Director of the United States Geological Survey, Ecosystems Mission Area, to the membership of the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Requires the Endangered Species Recovery Committee to review applications and proposals for conservation banks and conduct subsequent reviews and oversight. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO FARM EMPLOYEE HOUSING.

Clarifies that a "farm dwelling" permitted in an agricultural district includes a single-family farm dwelling with an accessory employee housing structure, subject to certain restrictions. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE DECISION-MAKING.

Provides the authority for counties to amend district boundaries up to 25 acres for purposes of residential housing, agricultural workforce housing, long-term rental, or workforce fee simple ownership.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE.

Establishes 55 miles per hour as the maximum speed limit on all parts of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Part I: Establishes requirements for transferors and transferees of used motor vehicles. Requires new number plates and tags or emblems for used motor vehicles transferred between private individuals. Requires each county Director of Finance to notify all applicable state and local agencies upon receipt of official notification of a vehicle transfer from a transferor. Requires each county Director of Finance to establish a centralized notification system for applicable agencies for every vehicle transfer by 7/1/2028. Part II: Imposes a restriction on a person's ability to obtain or renew a driver's license or to register, renew the registration of, or transfer or receive title to a motor vehicle, as a consequence of unpaid monetary obligations, under certain circumstances. Repeals provisions that would have allowed any person prevented from obtaining or renewing a driver's license or motor vehicle registration solely due to failure to pay any monetary assessment to petition the court for a driver's license or motor vehicle clearance. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Part I: Authorizes the impoundment of motor vehicles when certain traffic violations have been alleged or committed. 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. Part II: Imposes a restriction on a person's ability to obtain or renew a driver's license or to register, renew the registration of, or transfer or receive title to a motor vehicle, as a consequence of unpaid monetary obligations, under certain circumstances. Repeals provisions that would have allowed any person prevented from obtaining or renewing a driver's license or motor vehicle registration solely due to failure to pay any monetary assessment to petition the court for a driver's license or motor vehicle clearance. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Requires each county to adopt display standards requiring visible and readable street addresses and to require owners of residential and commercial buildings to post street addresses in accordance with the county's display standards.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Repeals the cap amount on conveyance tax revenues allocated to the land conservation fund.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE REIMBURSEMENT OF DEBT SERVICE ON THE PORTION OF THE TURTLE BAY REIMBURSABLE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FINANCED BY THE LAND CONSERVATION FUND.

Reduces reimbursement of debt service on the Turtle Bay reimbursable general obligation bonds from the land conservation fund to approximately one-half of the total repayment amount and reduces, accordingly, the amount due per fiscal year for the remainder of the bond amortization schedule.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Requires the Director of Human Resources Development to abolish vacant positions within state departments and agencies under its jurisdiction that have been vacant for more than 5 years with certain exceptions. Requires funds for abolished positions to immediately lapse to the credit of the appropriate fund. Requires a list of positions abolished to be included in the Director's annual report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Temporarily allows each county, by resolution of its county council, to petition for the redistricting of land from an agricultural district to a rural district through the Land Use Commission's declaratory ruling process. Effective 7/1/2027. Sunsets 6/30/2030.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE VACANCIES.

Establishes that if the death or permanent incapacitation of the prior incumbent leaves a legislative seat vacant before a primary election, but after the close of filing for candidacy in that election, and the prior incumbent's name was the only name on any ballot for that seat for that election, the Governor's appointment of a replacement shall be valid for both the unexpired term and the succeeding term.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTHY WORKPLACES.

Prohibits any employer or employee from subjecting an employee to abusive conduct. Requires employers and certain employees to take all reasonable preventative and responsive measures to ensure a safe work environment free of abusive conduct. Prohibits employers and certain employees from taking retaliatory actions against employees who engage in certain protected acts. Establishes a penalty, private cause of action, and remedies. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Transfers the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development for administrative purposes. Removes the manager of the Coastal Zone Management Program from the Commission. Adds a representative from the University of Hawaii to the Commission.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to request information related to easements prior to any transfer of certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to obtain approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity before pasture lands are removed for reforestation or other public purposes. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates moneys to the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy's Space Science and Engineering Initiative Workforce Development Program.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Clarifies that a person or entity shall be liable for all or a portion of search and rescue expenses when the search and rescue results from the person or entity's violation of applicable laws. Requires the State Fire Council to adopt rules, and the counties to adopt ordinances, as necessary to pursue reimbursements.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code. Authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Establishes factors the CWRM must consider when determining the amount of the penalty. Increases maximum fines every 5 years from 2031 to 2046. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the filing thresholds for the General Excise Tax and Transient Accommodations Tax.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to use public-private partnerships for the development of public school facilities, including facilities at public charter schools. Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a pilot program to develop three new public schools in areas based on demonstrated need through public-private partnerships. Requires the approval of the Department of Education prior to the development of a public school for the pilot program on Department lands. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO JURY DUTY.

Allows actively practicing advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants employed in Federally Qualified Health Centers to claim exemption from service as a juror. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Part I: Requires drivers of vehicles approaching stationary motor vehicles stopped in any location on the roadway, shoulder, or roadside to slow down and make a lane change if necessary. Part II: Prohibits the operation of a pickup truck with a passenger seated in the bed or load-carrying area on roadways with posted speed limits of forty-six miles per hour or higher and roadways with three or more lanes traveling in the same direction. Provides certain exemptions from passenger restrictions. Increases the minimum age to ride in the bed or load-carrying area of a pickup truck while in operation from twelve years of age to eighteen years of age. 0Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel distribution in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides $1 per gallon, increasing by 2 cents per additional 1 per cent emissions reduction, up to $2 per gallon. Caps total credits at $20,000,000 annually, with carryover provisions. Requires reporting to ensure transparency and compliance. Applies to taxable years after December 31, 2025, and sunsets on December 31, 2035.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AQUACULTURE INVESTMENT TAX CREDIT.

For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, establishes a 5-year aquaculture investment tax credit for taxpayers that incur qualifying investment costs relating to qualified aquaculture businesses.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO NURSING.

Requires the State Board of Nursing to identify one facility in each of the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui that has the capability to establish a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center as a test site to administer a National Council Licensure Examination for nurses; equip each facility identified with the technical and facility requirements necessary for a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center; and submit an application for each facility to Pearson Education, Inc. to be authorized and contracted as a Pearson VUE Authorized Test Center. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS.

Increases the valuation threshold of development subject to a special management area minor permit or a special management area use permit from $500,000 to $750,000.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO ADAPTATION PATHWAYS PLANNING.

Requires the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop adaptation pathways plans to modify and relocate development and associated infrastructure away from critically vulnerable areas to locations outside of sea level rise and coastal flooding exposure area. Appropriates funds.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Requires the Director of Human Resources Development to abolish vacant positions within state departments and agencies under its jurisdiction that have been vacant for more than five years. Requires a list of positions abolished to be included in the Director's annual report to the Legislature. Requires funds for abolished positions to immediately lapse to the credit of the general fund.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC LAND TRUST WORKING GROUP.

Appropriates funds to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to hire necessary staff, purchase equipment, and retain professional services on behalf of the Public Land Trust Working Group.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Establishes within the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority the Condominium Loan Program to provide qualified condominium associations with low-cost financing or refinancing on previously obtained loans for maintenance or repair projects. Limits loan terms to 20 years and prohibits any new loans after 6/30/2047. Establishes the Condominium Loan Loss Reserves Program to incentivize community development financial institutions into providing loans at competitive rates and terms to condominium associations for the purpose of allowing condominium associations to make necessary maintenance or repairs. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds into and out of the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. Repeals 06/30/2047. (SD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

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

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 3rd senatorial district.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the development of faculty, staff, teacher, and workforce housing at the Kauai Community College. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT.

Provides that investigative powers of the Department of Human Services under the Child Protective Act include interviews of adults living in the family home and the alleged perpetrator in the; Requires DHS to record and save adult interviews conducted as part of an investigation of a report of harm, threatened harm, or imminent harm to a child and to include recorded adult interviews in any filed petition for removal.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO PROPERTY.

Imposes an increased penalty upon any person who trespasses upon certain state or county lands when the person trespasses again by returning, within 30 days after the initial offense, to the same land at which the person committed the initial offense.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF JUSTIFICATION.

For the purposes of state justifiable-use-of-force law: (1) Amends the definition of "dwelling" to include agricultural land used as a residence or place of lodging; and (2) Creates a definition of "place of work" that includes agricultural land.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO SCHOOL SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Education to assign school resource officers to department public schools and charter schools. Encourages the employment of qualified retirees from the local police departments and department of law enforcement. Appropriates funds for these positions.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO CHILD CARE.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and implement an Early Learning Services Contracts Program to make available a designated number of seats at licensed infant and toddler child care centers and group child care centers that meet certain criteria. Requires the Department of Human Services to submit reports to the Legislature. Sunsets the pilot program on 6/30/2028. Effective 12/31/2050. (HD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO OHANA ZONES.

Establishes the Ohana Zones Program as a program within the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to exempt ohana zones projects from general excise taxes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT POSITIONS.

Requires a person appointed to serve as the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System, Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, or another position that serves as a Senior Advisor to the Governor to obtain the advice and consent of the Senate. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO FITNESS TO PROCEED.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in partnership with the Department of Health, to establish and implement a five-year Fitness to Proceed Pilot Program in one county of the State. Requires an interim report and final report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

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 TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes what constitutes transit-oriented development and incentivizes development in county-designated transit-oriented development areas or zones. Prioritizes the allocation of a minimum percentage of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund for certain mixed-income rental housing projects or units. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat