Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO HEMP.

Permits the sale of commercial drink products that contain no more than 10 milligrams of hemp-derived cannabinoids to persons twenty-one years of age or older. Establishes penalties for the sale or furnishing of cannabinoid drink products to, and the purchase or possession of cannabinoid drink products by, persons under twenty-one years of age.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO ANTITRUST.

Prohibits the use of algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii's rental market. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop and undertake a public education program regarding the prohibition. Establishes fines and penalties.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC ORDER.

Establishes the offense of loitering on public property and adds trespassing on public property to the offense of criminal trespass in the first degree. Establishes the homeless case management program and special fund, administered by the judiciary for the benefit of persons experiencing homelessness.

David Alcos IIIRepublican

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE THIRTY-SEVENTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the thirty-seventh representative district.

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Defines "portable solar generation device" and establishes certain requirements for their regulation and use exclusively within units in condominiums organized pursuant to Chapter 514B, HRS. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an online registration system. Clarifies that portable solar generation devices are subject to certain approval procedures for installation in condominiums. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLICITY RIGHTS.

Protects a person's right to publicity from artificial intelligence deepfakes.

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Eliminates state taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel for motor vehicles. Requires savings be passed from distributor to consumer.

David Alcos IIIRepublican

RELATING TO TRADE-ORIENTED PRODUCTION CAPACITY GRANT PROGRAM.

Establishes the Trade-Oriented Production Capacity Grant Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to support one-time capital investments that expand the State's manufacturing and production capacity for trade. Provides grants for equipment, automation, and facility improvements that directly increase output, efficiency, and competitiveness for eligible businesses, with required private-sector matching funds. Prioritizes traded-sector businesses with interstate or international market potential to help generate measurable near-term trade and economic returns. Appropriates funds.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish the Hawaii Made IT Program to certify local information technology vendors for use by state and county agencies in procurement. Establishes vendor requirements. Establishes reporting requirements.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HARBORS.

Short form bill relating to harbors.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO PLANTS.

Requires persons who sell or offer plants for sale at retail to provide information on the risk of invasiveness of the plant species. Requires the Invasive Species Council to develop a labeling system for plants that displays the plants' weed risk assessments. Establishes fines for violations. Effective 1/1/2027.

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Requires that each county council district feature at least one voter service center for elections. Prioritizes using public schools as voter service centers. Requires the clerk to advertise for volunteers. Requires each county council district to have one voter service center open on election day.

David Alcos IIIRepublican

RELATING TO AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETING.

Establishes an American Sign Language Program at the University of Hawaii and appropriates funding for the program.

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS.

Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Condominium Associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Updates the Condominium Property Act to integrate the role and functions of the ombudsman's office for condominium associations. Appropriates funds from the Condominium Education Trust Fund for establishment of the Ombudsman's Office for Condominium Associations.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO SCHOOL SPORTS.

Requires the Department of Education to implement a supplemental sports program for high school students in West Oahu.

David Alcos IIIRepublican

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services to record any child welfare interview conducted by the Department when administering certain child welfare services. Requires the Department to store the recordings for a minimum of five years and under certain conditions. Prohibits the sharing of the recordings unless certain conditions are met. Establishes criminal penalties for violating prohibitions against sharing of the recordings.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM.

Clarifies that the Preschool Open Doors Program is open to all children, including children in foster care, who meet the eligibility requirements of the program.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO CERTIFICATES OF BIRTH.

Provides that a new certificate of birth issued by the State shall include a designation of the sex of the person born, based on the genitalia of the person. Authorizes amendments of designations of sex on certificates of birth, provided that the birth registrant is an adult, and a new designation is based on the genitalia of the birth registrant, as confirmed by a physician or physician's assistant. Requires certain original certificates to be unsealed and new certificates to be marked as amended with regard to sex designation.

David Alcos IIIRepublican

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY.

Appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and converts the position from temporary to permanent.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO OUTDOOR SIGNAGE.

Requires the display of outdoor advertising devices, including digital outdoor signage devices, to be allowed within the Waikiki Special District and requires the adoption of necessary county ordinances. Allows the display of outdoor advertising devices, including digital outdoor signage devices, within the Stadium Development District with the authorization of the Stadium Authority.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours, except for instructional purposes, to begin in the 2027-2028 school year.

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS.

Establishes statewide health care worker safety and workplace violence prevention requirements for health care facilities. Requires enforcement by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations in coordination with the Department of Health.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Requires the University of Hawaii System to implement a financial literacy program offered at all campuses at no cost to students. Appropriates funds.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the department of education to equip all classroom doors with interior locks, maintain a public address system, feature an emergency access route, and maintain fire alarms. Mandates the establishment of a school emergency management plan. Requires schools to conduct regular testing and emergency preparedness drills. Appropriates funds.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts food and groceries from the general excise tax. Expands the general excise tax exemption implemented in 2024 for certain medical and dental services to include all medical and dental services.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires insurers to provide automatic, advance written premium change notices to common interest community policyholders and the Insurance Commissioner, with reasonable explanations and primary factors, disclosing the causes of any premium increase if, upon renewal, premiums are scheduled to increase more than an unspecified per cent. Requires insurers that renewed property insurance policies between 2022 and 2024 for policyholders that were condominium associations, planned community associations, or cooperative housing corporations in the State, to provide an explanation for certain premium increases during this period. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit a report to the Legislature.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires insurers to provide advance written notice to policyholders and the Insurance Commissioner, with reasonable explanations and primary factors, of any policy cancellation, non-renewal, or proposed premium increase, if, upon renewal, premiums are scheduled to increase more than ten per cent. Requires insurers that provide property insurance to file rate schedules and underlying criteria with the Insurance Commissioner. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct periodic reviews of insurance rates and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to establish a Public Reporting and Dispute Resolution Program to handle complaints and appeals regarding premium increases. Requires insurers to provide premium discounts or credits to policyholders that implement disaster risk mitigation measures.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL REPAIRS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish an electronic dashboard on its website that details the status of repair projects at all department schools.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

Requires the Auditor to conduct an audit of the Department of Education focusing on financial efficiency and administrative overhead costs affecting department of education schools on the island of Oahu.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a refundable income tax credit for the retention and housing of certain police officers.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Eliminates the Hawaii state income tax starting with the 2028 taxable year. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit a report to address the expected tax revenue shortfall and to propose conforming amendments to the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Exempts from the general excise tax the sale of groceries, health care services, and utility services. Defines terms.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Clarifies that references to the base amount in section 41, Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall not apply to the tax credit for research activities, and that the tax credit for qualified research expenses may be claimed without regard to expenses in previous years. Increases the annual cap on the total amount of credits that may be certified by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

Establishes a statewide framework for the assessment and the award of academic credit for prior learning acquired through military service, workforce training, apprenticeships, professional certifications, and other structured learning experiences outside of traditional classrooms.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Establishes the Office of the State Construction Manager within the Department of Accounting and General Services, overseen by the State Construction Manager, to organize, manage, and oversee design review of, and issue design approvals for, state construction projects. Exempts state construction projects from county building permit, inspection, and certificate of occupancy requirements under certain circumstances, as determined by the State Construction Manager. Establishes the Design Review Special Fund and appropriates funds into and out of the fund.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE FOR MINORS.

Prohibits medical procedures and the distribution of hormones or puberty blockers for the purpose of allowing a minor to change their sex to correlate with an identified gender. Allows for certain exceptions. Creates both a private and state right of action. Outlines sanctions through the proper licensing authority for violations.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO MEDICAL FREEDOM.

Protects the right of individuals to make autonomous decisions regarding medical interventions without discrimination, coercion, or exclusion by public or private entities. Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO ELECTION INTEGRITY.

Requires voter registration roll maintenance and election audits. Establishes uniform chain-of-custody standards for ballots and election materials. Appropriates moneys.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO SOCIAL WORK.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, to develop and establish a social work training program to assist nonviolent incarcerated individuals in the area of social work. Requires progress reports on the program to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an income tax credit for employers who provide paid family and medical leave for their employees.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Establishes a three-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program to be administered by the Coordinator on Homelessness on designated land for the pilot program, which shall serve as a safe location for unhoused women and young children, under the age of ten, to reside and access services. Requires the Coordinator on Homelessness and the Coordinator's partner agencies to provide certain facilities and services to the designated location. Requires reporting to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires all health insurers in the State, including Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Applies to insurance policies, contracts, plans, or agreements issued or renewed in the State after 12/31/2026.

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop and maintain comprehensive Housing Equity Dashboard on the Corporation's website that provides annual public reporting on certain statistics regarding affordable housing production. Appropriates funds.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.

Amends the minimum monthly guaranteed compensation an individual must earn to be exempt from certain wage and hour requirements. Requires the minimum wage to increase to $18.00 per hour beginning 1/1/2027, instead of 1/1/2028. Increases the minimum wage on 1/1/2028, 1/1/2029, and 1/1/2030. Prohibits tipped employees from being paid less than the minimum wage. Beginning on 9/30/2030, and on September 30 of each year thereafter, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to calculate an adjusted minimum wage rate.

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires a developer of an algorithmic decision system to provide certain disclosures to a deployer and an individual who is or will be affected by a decision made, informed, or influenced by the algorithmic decision system. Provides certain rights and procedures for individuals to access and correct data used by an algorithmic decision system. Requires disclosure requirements for generative artificial intelligence systems. Provides that a developer and deployer of an algorithmic decision system are jointly and severally liable for a violation of any law that results from the deployer's use of the developer's system, under certain conditions. Assigns enforcement responsibilities to the attorney general, including establishing rules.

Daisy HartsfieldDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Short form bill relating to transportation.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO DEMOGRAPHIC DATA.

Requires the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to coordinate the development and maintenance of statewide standards for the collection, management, and reporting of race and ethnicity demographic data by any state or county department, agency, board, or commission. Focuses the use of collected demographic data on areas of public interest and establishes transparency and accountability requirements regarding artificial intelligence systems associated with the collected data. Requires state and county departments, agencies, boards, and commissions that collect race and ethnicity data to report to the Office of Enterprise Technology Services on meeting federal data collection requirements. Appropriates funds.

Daisy HartsfieldDemocrat