Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes and appropriates funds for student transportation coordinators positions within the Department of Education to strengthen student transportation services across the State.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Requires retail sellers of firearms to provide purchasers with notice regarding the law on firearms storage. Expands the requirements for the secure storage of firearms. Clarifies the offense of criminally negligent storage of a firearm.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FEES FOR PUBLIC RECORDS UNDER CHAPTER 92F.

Imposes a cap on charges for searching for, reviewing, and segregating government records under the Uniform Information Practices Act. Provides for a waiver of fees in certain circumstances when the public interest is served by a government record's disclosure.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT.

Authorizes the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to transmit all expungement orders to the Judiciary to effectuate the purposes of Act 159, SLH 2023.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes a two-year pilot program that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to provide free school lunch to all students enrolled at a department school. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals on 6/30/2027.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO SHOPLIFTING.

Increases penalties for the offense of theft by means of shoplifting.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO CARE HOMES.

Prohibits the licensing of an adult residential care home, expanded adult residential care home, or developmental disabilities domiciliary home that is financed, managed, operated, supervised, directed, or owned in whole or in part by a person convicted of a gambling offense.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Replaces the five per cent bid preference for bidders for a public works contract with an estimated value of $250,000 or more, who is a party to an apprenticeship agreement registered with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations with a five per cent earned credit that can be applied to certain future public works contract bids for a duration of three years after the chief procurement officer issues the earned credit certificate. Authorizes purchasing agencies to audit and have full access to the books and records of contractors or subcontractors relating to the contractor's compliance with requirements of the earned credit bid preference. Requires contractors and subcontractors to maintain relevant records for three years. Requires the contractor to submit reports as required by the Chief Procurement Officer.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Establishes a paid family leave program for state and county employees. Authorizes a qualifying employee to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or placement of a child or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition. Requires the employee to agree to subsequently work for the employer for at least 12 weeks upon return to service except under certain conditions.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Establishes the Immigration Services Trust Fund to support immigration-related matters within the Office of Community Services. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to submit annual reports to the Legislature on the accounting of expenditures of the Fund. Appropriates funds.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Establishes a Universal Representation in Immigration Proceedings Program within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Office of Community Services to provide access to legal representation, under certain conditions. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Establishes a standard for covered educational entities and certain health facilities when interacting with federal immigration authorities regarding civil immigration violations.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

Authorizes emergency medical technicians in the State to administer buprenorphine after the administration of an opioid antagonist during an opioid-related drug overdose response. Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules, allocate resources for EMT training, and coordinate with emergency medical services providers in the State, to incorporate the administration of buprenorphine after the administration of an opioid antagonist as a standard component of emergency medical services' protocols during an opioid-related drug overdose response.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO PERMITS.

Establishes an exemption from applicable county permit requirements for repetitive construction projects for facilities under the control of the Department of Education, University of Hawaii, or School Facilities Authority. Repeals 1/1/2030.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

By 1/1/2028, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2029, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDIA LITERACY.

Authorizes school complexes to incorporate media literacy in their standards-based curriculum, including content that prevents negative impacts of misinformation, disinformation, digital discrimination, and online hate speech.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO DESALINATION.

Establishes a Desalination Planning Task Force to examine the feasibility of, and develop a plan and timeline for, the use desalination as a source of potable water in the State. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY POWERS.

Prohibits the Governor or a Mayor from suspending requests for public records or vital statistics during a declared state of emergency. Allows for a reasonable delay in an agency's response to a request as a result of extenuating circumstances.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Kupuna Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and conduct a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Program. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report to the Legislature and adopt administrative rules. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires the Insurance Commissioner to develop comprehensive standards and requirements for condominium associations and developers to obtain property insurance through self-insurance and mutual insurance, and examine and evaluate the feasibility of implementing guaranteed buyback programs and investment-based protection funds.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires all health insurers in the State, excluding Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS.

Establishes a Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group within the Department of Health to assess the feasibility of allowing business owners in the State to utilize filtered water collected by water catchment systems for business activities. Requires the Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2027 and dissolve on 6/30/2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUPIL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY.

Authorizes the use of motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for student transportation services if certain conditions are met.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUPIL TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes individuals who possess a commercial driver's license with a passenger "P" endorsement to provide pupil transportation student services without also possessing a school bus "S" endorsement in certain circumstances.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER CHAPTER 201H, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

Exempts transfers of Hawaiian home lands from transfer restrictions for real property under Chapter 201H housing development programs.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE CHILDCARE.

Appropriates funds to the office of the governor for a state childcare facility for state employees and their families.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Allows tenants who prevail in a lawsuit for a violation of the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code to be awarded damages, reasonable attorney's fees, and costs of the suit.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

Requires health plan insurers to align their prior authorization processes with Medicare policies.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT.

Narrows the scope of the definition of the term "development" in coastal zone management law by excluding reconstruction of certain lawfully constructed structures impacted by certain events. (SD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL BENEFITS.

Expands workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma of the respiratory system; cancer of the buccal cavity, colon, pharynx, and thyroid; and malignant melanoma. Specifies that an employer may prove that the cancer or disease was not associated with the firefighting duties to deny medical benefits under workers' compensation law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Authorizes physicians to practice at organized ambulatory health care facilities even if the physician does not have hospital privileges at a licensed hospital in the same geographic location as the ambulatory facility. Provides that a written transfer agreement is not required to transfer a patient from an organized ambulatory health care facility to a licensed hospital.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO MEAT PROCESSING.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop and implement a grant program to expand the meat processing capacity in the State. Establishes requirements for grant applicants. Allows hunters access to qualifying meat processing facilities. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Specifies that the School Facilities Authority is not eligible as a housing developer for the purposes of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LANDLORD TENANT CODE.

Establishes a three-year Residential Landlord-Tenant Code Working Group within the Judiciary. Requires an initial report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2026 and a final report no later than 7/1/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS.

Appropriates funds for the Family Health Services Division of the Department of Health to establish and oversee peer-to-peer support programs for children from birth to age five and their families, including the establishment of two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) program specialist positions.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO EARLY CHILD INTERVENTION.

Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to reclassify certain early intervention specialist positions within the Early Childhood Services Unit in the Department of Health. Appropriates funds for the reclassification of certain positions and establishment of new positions within the early childhood services unit.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLE TITLES.

Reduces the period in which a transferee is required to forward the certificate of ownership to the director of finance when a title of vehicle is transferred from thirty days to fourteen days. Allows a letter of attestation to the Director of Finance to act as an endorsed certificate for motor vehicle transfer.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for community schools and a program manager position.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO OUT-OF-STATE OFFICES.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish an out-of-state office in the Philippines. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders and the requirements to obtain the international teacher license. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Prohibits certain covered educational entities and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation facilities from collecting information regarding citizenship or immigration status or allowing officers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enter certain facilities, except under specific circumstances.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for enterprise zone program purposes to include retail sales of tangible personal property manufactured and sold in the enterprise zone that is to be used or consumed by the purchaser and not for resale, the processing of value-added agricultural products grown within an enterprise zone, and the provision of professional services by health care professionals in health care related sectors.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS.

Establishes the Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation to individuals in immigration-related proceedings in immigration court. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Allows certain undocumented students to be considered residents of the State for the purposes of tuition, financial assistance, and University of Hawaii program participation under certain conditions.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION OF AVIATION FUEL.

Imposes a state carbon emissions tax of $6.25 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions on all aviation fuel. Directs the aviation fuel tax into the airport revenue fund. Implements a tax credit to mitigate the effects of this tax on lower income taxpayers. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/24.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO VITAL STATISTICS.

Beginning 1/1/2026, allows a qualified applicant to change their sex designation on their birth certificate. Establishes information required for an applicant to change their sex designation on their birth certificate. Requires the Department of Health to create and make available necessary forms.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT REFORM.

Requires a law enforcement officer who observes criminal misconduct by another law enforcement officer to report the criminal misconduct. Requires passage of a psychological screening test battery to qualify for appointment as a law enforcement officer. Subjects a law enforcement officer to denial, suspension, or revocation of a law enforcement officer's certification for failure to report observed criminal misconduct or committing an act of criminal misconduct. Prohibits the use of a chokehold by a law enforcement officer unless the use of deadly force is justifiable. Defines "chokehold".

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty of $50 per violation of the State Water Code and makes each day that a violation exists or continues a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to determine the amount of the penalty based on the circumstances of the violation.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Prohibits state or county grantees, officers and immediate family members of state or county contractors, and officers and immediate family members of state or county grantees, from contributing to candidate committees and noncandidate committees for the duration of the contract. Prohibits state or county grantees from knowingly soliciting any contributions. Requires candidates, candidate committees, and noncandidate committees to return any unlawful contribution to the contributor within thirty calendar days of receipt. Provides that an unlawful contribution shall escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund if it is not returned to the contributor within thirty calendar days. Requires disclosures of the names of any owners, officers and immediate family members of a state or county contractor or grantee for contracts exceeding a certain amount. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat