Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO IRRIGATION.

Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds and appropriates funds to finance capital improvement projects for irrigation systems. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO AN AIRPORTS CORPORATION.

Establishes the Hawaii Airports Corporation (HAC)to assume the authority, functions, and duties of the Department of Transportation related to airports and aeronautics. Makes HAC subject to chapters 103D and 104, HRS. Provides for project labor agreements. Appropriates funds for the transfer of functions from DOT to HAC.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Provides rebates for the installation of eligible electric vehicle-ready parking stalls for new construction of affordable housing.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Requires the design of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires solar conduit- and electrical panel-readiness for new residential construction offered for sale at fair market value and electric vehicle-readiness when an electrical panel and parking area are installed. Effective 1/1/2026.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO REMOTE WORK ASSESSMENTS.

Requires the Comptroller, in coordination with the Department of Human Resources Development, to periodically assess telework-eligible allocations of employees of certain state executive branch departments and agencies. Requires the first assessment and notification to be completed by 6/30/2026. Establishes a position within the Department of Accounting and General Services. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2491. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation to develop a plan for a Comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Program to reduce vehicle emissions and miles traveled by single-occupancy vehicles. Establishes two permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) co-administrator positions, one in the Department of Accounting and General Services and one in the Department of Transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING DEMAND MANAGEMENT.

Establishes a parking demand management program. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to transition all state employee monthly parking options to daily rate parking. Requires the Department to procure parking reservation software. Creates 2 permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions. Appropriates moneys.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLES.

Requires that any new motor vehicle permitted by law to be equipped with a siren, whether purchased or contracted in the State to be equipped with dual frequency sirens.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle with, possession, purchase, installation, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of license plate flipping devices. Establishes a $2,000 fine for each separate violation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Limits the required payment of certain unpaid motor vehicle taxes and fees and accompanying financial penalties to those incurred during the most recent 5 consecutive years of delinquency.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESS YOUTH.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to provide emergency shelter and services to unaccompanied homeless youth.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Authorizes the Land Use Commission to designate county or state lands as important agricultural lands, and adopt maps for the designated lands, in counties that fail to identify and recommend important agricultural lands by 12/31/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Part I: Renames the Department of Agriculture to the "Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity". Renames the Board of Agriculture to the "Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity" and amends the composition of the Board. Part II: Establishes and appropriates funds for a Deputy Director of Biosecurity. Part III: Changes references to the plant and animal declaration form to the "biosecurity form". Part IV: Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Authorizes the Chairperson of the Board to quarantine an area under certain conditions. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Part V: Requires the Department to establish and regularly update an invasive species dashboard. Authorizes pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests. Part VI: Appropriates funds for positions for the Department. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO LAULAU DAY.

Designates May 1 of each year as "Laulau Day" in the State.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY DISTRICTS.

Establishes a process by which the Legislature may establish community districts by concurrent resolution. Requires the board members of the community districts to be elected by residents of the community district.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD ABUSE.

Amends the definition of "child abuse or neglect" by clarifying that the failure to provide certain needs to a child constitutes child abuse or neglect only if the person or entity responsible for the care of the child is financially able to provide and fails to do so or is offered financial or other reasonable means to provide and fails to accept these offers.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Department of Health for construction defect remediation at the Hawaii State Hospital. Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) building manager position at the Hawaii State Hospital. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health for the Adult Mental Health Inpatient Program to secure contracts for the provision of forty psychiatric beds annually for the Hawaii State Hospital. Requires the Department of Health to include line-item funding for the Adult Mental Health Inpatient Program in its annual budget request beginning with fiscal year 2027-2028 to secure contracts for the provision of psychiatric beds for the Hawaii State Hospital.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establish a medical education liaison position within the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine to support programs that utilize a team of medical specialists to support primary care providers and other health care professionals through mentorship and guidance. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE.

Requires specialized training for all employees of the Office of the Ombudsman to develop relevant expertise to handle complaints about the child welfare system. Requires the Office of the Ombudsman to publish a quarterly report on its website that identifies the number and nature of complaints that it receives regarding the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department of Human Services. Requires the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department of Human Services to provide notification that complaints can also be filed with the Office of the Ombudsman. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS.

Repeals the definition of "finding of no significant impact". Defines "finding of completion of environmental disclosure process". Makes conforming amendments.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to: (1) Adopt the National Incident Management System as the standard for all incident management and emergency response operations; (2) Complete an after-action review for all significant emergency incidents or exercises; (3) Develop and manage position task books; (4) require the use of standardized Incident Command System forms; (5) Maintain accreditation through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program; and (6) Define specific roles and responsibilities for all Incident Command System and emergency operations center positions. Expands training and education qualifications and responsibilities for the Administrator of Emergency Management and county-level administrators or directors of emergency management. Amends the contents of the state comprehensive emergency management plan.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Establishes the Agricultural Statistics Program in statute. Appropriates funds for the Program. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Amends the membership of the Hawaii Community Development Authority to include the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the Chairperson's designee.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE KOHALA DITCH.

Makes the Agribusiness Development Corporation responsible for the maintenance of the Kohala Ditch. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes large landowners to petition the Land Use Commission to allow the development of elderly housing on portions of agricultural lands.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION SAFETY.

Requires the driver's license examination to test the applicant's knowledge of the dangers that larger motor vehicles present to pedestrians and bicyclists. Requires persons who commit the offense of excessively speeding or habitually driving while intoxicated to retake and pass the driver's license examination for each offense.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes the offense of theft of a bicycle. Establishes the first offense of theft of a bicycle as a misdemeanor. Establishes the second and each subsequent offense that occurs within five years of a prior conviction for theft of a bicycle as a class C felony.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Prohibits a person from operating a moped or electric motorcycle in certain areas designated for bicycles. Renames the Electric Bicycle and Electric Moped Rebate Program to the Electric Mobility Device Rebate Program. Expands eligibility for the rebate program and amends the maximum rebate amounts. Reduces the deadline to submit an application to six months from the date of purchase. Requires applicants who are enrolled in a school, community college, or university to demonstrate a financial need to be eligible for an additional assistance rebate. Exempts certain class 3 electric bicycles from registration requirements. Establishes a cap for the Electric Mobility Device subaccount and requirements for transferring funds into the subaccount. Amends the age requirement for required helmet use from 16 to 18 years of age. Prohibits a person under the age of fifteen from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Establishes rules for electric bicycle operation. Allows use of electric bicycles on public sidewalks, subject to certain conditions. Prohibits individuals under 18 years of age from operating an electric motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. Changes the term "motor scooter" to "motor-driven vehicle". Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Prohibits any business established after January 1, 2026, that uses, rents, or offers for rent mopeds in the course of their commercial business, from using a combustion engine-powered moped. Establishes penalties.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Amends the Hawaii Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Act by adding the definition of common entity and expanding the definition of sale or selling. Allows a licensed dealer or distributor to protest before the board for damages against another dealer or distributor. Establishes a dispute resolution process for manufacturers and distributors to contest the accuracy of a dealer's reimbursement for parts and labor.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study on implementing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Requires, no later than 1/1/2028, the Department of Transportation to adopt rules governing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a preference in the Hawaii Public Procurement Code that favors bids or offers from businesses that intend to use a higher proportion of allelectric construction vehicles in Department of Transportation construction projects.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Administratively attaches the State Highway Safety and Modernization Council to the Department of Transportation. Allows council members to appoint their designees. Updates membership of the Council.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the State Highway Modernization and Safety Council to conduct a thorough evaluation of vehicle characteristics and develop a set of standards to identify high-risk vehicles. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes the retail delivery safety fee of 50 cents to be imposed on a retailer for each transaction involving a non-food item retail delivery in the State. Allows the retailer to transfer the fee to the purchaser. Creates certain exemptions. Requires the Director of Taxation to deposit the collected fees into the Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund. Allows the Director of Taxation to deposit collected fees that cover the administration of the retail delivery safety fee into the state general fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

Establishes an Early Learning Cooperative Program within the Department of Human Services. Establishes an Advisory Council to advise on the goals of the Early Learning Cooperative Program. Requires the Department of Human Services to secure federal funding through the Child Care and Development Block Grant for the administration of the Early Learning Cooperative Program. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt administrative rules. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Prohibits civil asset forfeiture unless the covered offense is a felony for which the property owner has been convicted. Excludes the forfeiture proceedings for an animal pending criminal charges. Requires the Attorney General to deposit the net proceeds of the forfeited property to the credit of the state general fund.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST HAWAII ISLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Hawaii Island Community Health Center to purchase or lease land on the island of Hawaii and develop primary care health care facilities.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

Bans the keeping or breeding of cetaceans in captivity except in certain circumstances.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL ENDANGERMENT.

Allows animal control officers, law enforcement officers, and firefighters to enter an unattended vehicle to protect the health, safety, or well-being of a pet animal that is endangered by being left or confined in an unattended vehicle. Allows private citizens to retrieve a pet animal that has been left in an unattended vehicle, under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ANIMALS.

Establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation, including the free-roaming cat population, and authorizes an income tax designation to provide revenues into the special fund. Requires cats over five months of age to be surgically sterilized unless covered by an intact cat declaration, and conditions the importation of intact cats on state and county declaration requirements, with certain exceptions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident's unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions. Provides that HPHA may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent. Allows HPHA to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Allows service and non-service pet animals on mass transit vehicles under certain conditions.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PET INSURANCE.

Establishes a regulatory framework specifically for pet insurance based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Pet Insurance Model Act.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO DOGS.

Allows dogs in restaurants at the restaurant owner's or manager's discretion, provided that certain conditions are met.

Chris LeeDemocrat