Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO JOURNALISM.

Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Commission within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes a Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires news media outlets to provide training in the ethics of journalism to journalists and editors in their employ. Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Review Board to be administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Review Board to handle complaints and appeals regarding violations of the Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes penalties for violations. Requires the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to conduct an analysis of the journalism program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Social Sciences. Requires the Board of Regents to report to the Legislature.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COSMETOLOGY LICENSURE COMPACT.

Authorizes the Governor to enter into a Cosmetology Licensure Compact on behalf of the State to provide a streamlined process that allows cosmetologists to obtain a multistate license enabling them to practice cosmetology in another state without obtaining a separate license under the laws of that state. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact. Authorizes the Governor to enter into the Compact. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

Exempts natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO NAIL TECHNICIANS.

Exempts nail technicians from licensing requirements. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Establishes and appropriates funds to establish the Aloha Intelligence Institute within the University of Hawaii to develop, support, and advance artificial intelligence initiatives statewide. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires individual managing agents and employees of entity managing agents to be licensed and imposes certain duties on these individuals.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Requires the Board of Regents to expend funds appropriated to renew, improve, or modernize existing University of Hawaii facilities for only those purposes and not for current, ongoing, or anticipated capital improvement projects. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.

Adopts a uniform standard for landscape architecture licensure developed by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.

Appropriates funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO SOCIAL SERVICES.

Clarifies that the monthly needs allowance afforded to individuals living in certain long-term care facilities is not intended to replace or affect funds received as a state supplemental payment for domiciliary care and shall be supplemental to any funds provided to a recipient as a state supplemental payment for domiciliary care. Appropriates funds.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Health to establish a homeless triage and treatment center program to serve homeless individuals and individuals at risk of homelessness with substance abuse issues or mental illness.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit for qualified productions that utilize qualified production facilities located within the State. Changes the cap amount and aggregate cap amount of the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit to unspecified amounts. Exempts from the general excise tax reimbursement to a motion picture project employer for employee wages, salaries, payroll taxes, insurance premiums, and employment benefits. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN REMAINS.

Requires any funeral establishment, mortuary, cemetery, crematory, or hydrolysis facility to dispose of the remains of a dead human body no later than sixty days from the date a burialtransit permit has been issued or from the date of an affidavit for amendment of the permit has been submitted. Specifies that the Department of Health is not required to include specific disposition dates on the permit.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ALOHA SPIRIT, CIVICS, AND DEMOCRACY.

Establishes the Hawaii Civics Collaborative within the Department of Accounting and General Services to promote civics engagement and perpetuate the Aloha Spirit. Requires the Department of Education, University of Hawaii Matsunaga Institute for Peace, Public Access Room, and other community organizations to facilitate civic engagement education statewide. Establishes two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) civic education specialist positions within the Department of Education. Appropriates funds.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to establish a comprehensive action plan under the "Yes In My Back Yard" Working Group to establish a local housing market in Hawaii. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO HEMP.

Establishes a Green Building Tax Credit for costs related to the construction of a primary structure made with at least thirty per cent Hawaii-grown hemp material. Allows any hemp processor with a permit from the Department of Health to sell an edible or beverage cannabinoid product that contains a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 2.5 milligrams per serving and not more than twenty-five servings per package. Prohibits the sale of an edible or beverage cannabinoid product to any person less than twenty-one years of age. Establishes child-resistant packaging requirements for edible cannabinoid products. Clarifies the tetrahydrocannabinol concentration limit for a non-edible legacy cannabinoid product or manufactured hemp product shall be subject only to federal restrictions. Amends the definition of "hemp biomass" to include stalks and foliage material. Requires the Department of Health to establish a dedicated hemp program to regulate hemp that is separate from the regulatory process for cannabinoid products with a high concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER RESOURCES.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the City and County of Honolulu for the planning, design, and construction of up to six monitoring wells, including a sentinel monitoring grid. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

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 WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

Requires the Department of Health, in consultation with various agencies and professionals, to review rules and practices and propose changes that have the potential to make wastewater systems and cesspool upgrades more affordable without compromising water quality. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN.

Expands the authority of the Office of the Ombudsman by amending the definition of "administrative act" to include the lease of state agricultural lands.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AIR CARRIERS.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a three-year Molokai Air Carrier Subsidy Pilot Program to provide subsidies to airlines operating out of Molokai Airport. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII BEACH DAY.

Establishes Hawaii Beach Day. Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, to organize and support events and activities to celebrate and observe Hawaii Beach Day. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY CHARTER AIR SERVICES.

Requires the Air Carrier Commission to enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to secure emergency air transportation services in cases of emergency when no other air service is available. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE OF HAWAII FILM COMMISSION.

Establishes the Hawaii Film Authority within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and transfers the rights, powers, functions, and duties of the Hawaii Film Office to the Authority. Establishes the Hawaii Film Authority Board within the Hawaii Film Authority. Establishes the Film Industry and Development Special Fund. Renames the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund as the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund and excludes media and film from the definition of creative industries. Allows the Creative Industries Development Special Fund to be used for the support and development of facilities and other initiatives to grow the State's creative industries. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

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

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 7th senatorial district.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE USE OF INTOXICANTS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE.

Lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes that development of a fixed guideway system in a county having a population greater than 500,000 is a function of state government. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to develop a fixed guideway system in a county having a population greater than 500,000. Requires the Department of Transportation to transfer the fixed guideway system to the respective county upon completion. Transfers functions of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to the Department of Transportation.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Provides that after 12/31/2025, each new or renewed contract between a mutual benefit society and a physician for a fee for service plan shall provide for: (1) The reimbursement of the physician's increased overhead costs, cost of living increases, and increased costs caused by inflation; and (2) An increase of 10% in the reimbursement rate of services after each 5-year period that the physician is in service.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund Board of Trustees to negotiate with health insurance carriers to ensure that 12% of monthly premium payments are paid directly to primary care providers. Requires the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division to allocate 12% of monthly premium payments directly to primary care providers.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.

Requires each purchasing agency to provide justification for hiring external consultants. Caps the amount each agency can spend on external consultants. Requires each agency to seek approval from the Legislature for consulting contracts exceeding a certain dollar amount. Requires each agency to disclose new contracts with external consultants. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Compliance Audit Unit to conduct regular audits of agency consultant contracts to assess cost-effectiveness and compliance. Requires each chief procurement officer to ensure that inherent government functions are not delegated to a contractor. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD2)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

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 NEPOTISM.

Repeals language in the State's Code of Ethics that exempts the legislative and judicial branches from prohibitions against nepotism in public employment. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO RETIRED TEACHERS.

Requires retirants rehired as teachers or administrators in teacher shortage areas or in difficult-to-fill positions to be paid at least the minimum salary for their experience and qualifications. Prohibits rehired retirants from receiving additional employment benefits. Directs the Department of Education to adopt rules to identify teacher shortage areas and difficult-to-fill positions.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST ALOUN KAUAI FARMING, AN AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISE, IN THE FINANCE, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF A PROJECT TO REVITALIZE THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Authorizes the Department of Budget and Finance to issue special purpose revenue bonds to assist Aloun Kauai Farming LLC, in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of an integrated dairy. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

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 THE KĀNEHILI COMMUNITY HALE.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for a capital improvement project for the construction of the Kānehili community hale, a new access road, and a parking lot at the Kānehili homestead.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO TREES.

Establishes base selection criteria for exceptional trees. Establishes the significant tree designation, selection criteria, and related processes. Establishes the State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. Requires County Arborist Advisory Committees to have at least six members, adopt new exceptional tree selection criteria, and designate significant trees. Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to cooperate with State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the Exceptional Trees Program.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

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 THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, facetoface practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact. Effective 1/1/2026.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Appropriates moneys from the Act 279 Special Fund for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to purchase a parcel of land identified as tax map key: (1) 9-1-013-025. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

Establishes a program within the Office of Community Services to authorize the formation of community collaborative capital improvement projects eligible for state grants, which may be exempted from certain state and county regulatory requirements under specific circumstances. Requires the Office to adopt rules and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2030.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES.

Adopts the Code of Fair Campaign Practices that candidates may use as a guide for their election campaigns.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO TRUSTED PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES.

Establishes a Trusted Public Representative Program within the Office of Information Practices under which the Office assigns a volunteer Trusted Public Representative trained in the requirements of the Sunshine Law and observes public agency meetings closed to the public. Allows the Office of Information Practices to conduct background checks of current and prospective Trusted Public Representatives. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO PROVIDE FOR A CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY TO PROPOSE TO THE LEGISLATURE CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY REVISIONS OR AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS GOVERNING ELECTIONS, POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, CAMPAIGN FINANCE, ETHICS, REFERENDUM, REAPPORTIONMENT, LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to provide for a citizens' assembly and to authorize the citizens' assembly to propose to the Legislature constitutional and statutory revisions or amendments to the laws governing elections, political campaigns, campaign finance, ethics, referendum, reapportionment, legislative process, and public access to information.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Applies the campaign finance laws to candidates for the neighborhood boards. Requires candidate committees for neighborhood board elections to file an organizational report with the Campaign Spending Commission regarding campaign contributions used for printing and mailing campaign material.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO DUNE RESTORATION.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program for dune restoration at Hanakaoo Beach Park. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING RESILIENCY.

Establishes the strengthen Hawaii homes program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to administer grants to retrofit residential properties located in historically vulnerable areas to enhance resilience against disaster impacts and reduce potential insurance liabilities. Establishes the strengthen Hawaii homes program special fund. Appropriates moneys from the special fund.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat