Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO MOTOR CARRIERS.

Exempts non-profit community-based organizations providing transportation services from motor carrier regulations under certain circumstances.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCING.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a cesspool conversion on-bill financing program to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to provide low-interest loans to eligible homeowners for the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO APPROPRIATIONS.

Prohibits the transfer of funds appropriated for positions to operating expenses, and vice versa, except to fulfill the Legislature's purpose for which the funds were appropriated.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

Establishes a temporary working group to study the feasibility of transitioning the Legislature's regular session from one that meets for 3.5 months from mid-January to early May, to one that meets on a year-round basis. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to provide administrative support to the working group. Requires report to Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Allows an on-call circuit judge in the relevant circuit to perform the duties of the Board of Registration for purposes of hearing elections disputes if the Board of Registration lacks full membership. Requires the Judiciary to designate one or more on-call circuit court judges in each circuit to perform the duties of the Board of Registration for purposes of hearing elections disputes. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ORAL HEALTH.

Establishes an Oral Health Task Force to review the status of oral health in the State and make recommendations to improve the State's oral health infrastructure. Establishes one full-time equivalent program specialist V position. Appropriates funds.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease public lands for recreational-residential use by public lottery and restrict participation in the public lottery to residents of the county in which the leased land is located. Lowers the maximum term for a lease of public lands for recreational-residential use to five years. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Authorizes the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish a two-year Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program to provide 50 per cent matching grants to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the United States Department of Defense Office of Naval Research. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to adopt administrative rules to implement the Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program. Establishes the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

Establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for prior authorization process in the State, including disclosure and notice requirements for utilization review entities regarding their prior authorization requirements and restrictions; qualifications and criteria for prior authorization review and appeals personnel; prior authorization process for non-urgent and urgent health care services, including the time frame by which utilization review entities must render a decision; adverse determination and appeal processes; prohibition of prior authorization for emergency health care services and medication for opioid use disorder; payments to health care providers; length and duration of prior authorizations; and exemptions for certain health care providers. Requires health insurers to utilize NCPDP SCRIPT Standard electronic prior authorization transactions by 1/1/2026. Requires utilization review entities to submit annual reports to the Insurance Commissioner each year. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules by 1/1/2026.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY.

Establishes an exemption from mediation in paternity proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation or appropriate county department when disposing of a deceased cat or dog from a public roadway to scan the animal for a microchip, record certain information, and report that information to the appropriate county animal services or animal service contractors. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVATE SECTOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS.

Expands the types of employees protected by the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and all individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER EDUCATION.

Requires the Board of Regents to grant a waiver on all tuition and mandatory fees to a resident student enrolled in the College of Education at the University of Hawaii at Manoa for the semester or term that the student enrolls in a State-Approved Teacher Education Program.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers to submit certifications with the Department of Taxation annually, stating that the manufacturer's products comply with federal regulations. Requires the Department of Taxation to maintain a directory of manufacturers of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids whose certifications the Department approved. Imposes penalties.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Requires the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health to develop and implement a comprehensive messaging and informational campaign to prevent cannabis use among the State's youth. Requires the Division to establish and enter into contracts with community-based organizations to award grants to prevent substance misuse among youth through evidenced-based prevention programs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIGARETTE TAXES.

Beginning 1/1/2026, increases the cigarette tax from sixteen cents to eighteen cents and amends the disposition of cigarette tax revenues by allocating the increase in the cigarette tax amount to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS.

Prohibits any person from charging any fees on a transient accommodation unit, room, or service that were not disclosed before the time of booking. Requires any person offering, listing, advertising, soliciting, or displaying a rate or price for the use or occupancy of a transient accommodation unit, room, or service to disclose at the time of booking in a clear and conspicuous manner, the total dollar amount that will be charged, including all resort fees and taxes and fees imposed by government entities. Establishes penalties. Effective 1/1/2026.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Requires the Board of Regents or the President of the University of Hawaii to allocate general funds appropriated to the University of Hawaii to University of Hawaii program IDs in accordance with performance-based outcomes relating to student achievement and degree attainment. Requires the President to submit reports to the Legislature. Requires the President to propose at least three efficiency measures to the Director of Finance to produce a more effective budget.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO NUISANCE ABATEMENT.

Offers rights and protections to citizens who bring civil nuisance abatement suits related to illegal gambling. Imposes a mandatory fine of $5,000 for violating nuisance abatement laws related to gambling offenses.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

Authorizes the Department of the Interior of the United States to adopt certain regulations for the purposes of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Provides that not less than 5 of the members shall be beneficiaries who are native Hawaiian as defined in section 201(a) of the Act, and that not more than 4 of the members shall be descendants of not less than one-fourth part of the blood of the races inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands previous to 1778.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO CLEAN AND SOBER HOMES.

Requires a county conditional use permit for clean and sober homes with 5 or more residents. Requires registration of all clean and sober homes on registry maintained by the Department of Health. Requires DOH to conduct unannounced inspections of clean and sober homes on at least an annual basis.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a general excise tax exemption for the gross proceeds or income from the manufacture, production, packaging, and sale of diapers. Establishes a surcharge on the general excise tax and use tax for the sale or use of luxury cars.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Provides for the transfer of certain parcels in the Liliha Civic Center area and Iwilei Fire Station area from various state agencies to the City and County of Honolulu. Provides for the transfer of the parcel of land on which Alii Place is sited from the City and County of Honolulu to the State. Repeals the sunset provision of Act 4, SLH 2024. Requires the City and County of Honolulu to accept the properties transferred in satisfaction of all amounts owed by Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation under the Kapolei roadways, drainage, and sewer settlement. Exempts the land transferred from the definition of public lands for purposes of chapter 171, HRS.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.

Prohibits the feeding of feral non-native animals on state land within one-half mile of the ocean or a stream. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enforce certain penalties for violations. Requires the counties to adopt or amend ordinances to prohibit the feeding of feral non-native animals on county land within one-half mile of the ocean or a stream and impose certain penalties for violations. Establishes an annual reporting requirement to the Legislature.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIANS.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to identify all legislative districts in the State in which a majority of the population consists of Native Hawaiians. Designates these districts as Native Hawaiian majority districts.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Appropriates funds to offset the debt for the Waiahole Water System. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO BUILDING CODES.

Beginning 1/1/2028, makes the most recent Hawaii state building codes adopted by the state building code council supersede all existing county building codes and thereafter allows counties to remove requirements of the state building codes or add requirements to the state building codes only with prior council approval. Repeals the counties' authority to adopt, amend, and update the Hawaii state building codes for their respective county building codes.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAIAHOLE WATER SYSTEM.

Appropriates funds for the Waiahole Water System for bond debt service and tunnel repair. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGE VERIFICATION FOR APP DEVELOPERS AND APP STORES ACT.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires app store providers to determine the age category for each of their users in the State and verify their age; provide a mechanism for parents to block minors from downloading unsuitable apps; and obtain parental consent before allowing a minor to use their app store or download and purchase apps. Requires certain app store providers to provide parents with a mechanism to set filters and usage limits for minors. Requires certain app store providers to display age ratings and content description for each app available in their app store. Establishes age verification and parental consent requirements for certain app developers. Establishes violations as unfair or deceptive act or practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules no later than 7/1/2026.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING EVICTIONS.

Reduces the time required to store unclaimed personal effects of an evicted tenant.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST PROTECTIVE SERVICES WORKERS.

Specifies that intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a protective services worker who is engaged in the performance of the worker's duties is a class C felony. Clarifies that a protective services worker is a public servant for the purposes of section 707-716, HRS, Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Provides an emergency appropriation for the Department of Human Services to reinvest in the ongoing development of a new eligibility system for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Makes an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2024-2025. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 has been exceeded. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ACT 253, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 2023.

Updates the name of the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program established by Act 253, SLH 2023, by replacing the term "visually impaired" with the term "low vision" and clarifies the pilot program's implementation timeframes. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SAFE SPACES FOR YOUTH PROGRAM.

Makes the Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Program permanent within the Office of Youth Services. Requires the program to collaborate with all state and county departments that offer services for youth and young adults to coordinate the identification of youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness and placement of these youth at a shelter for homeless youth or young adults. Authorizes the Office of Youth Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide shelters for homeless youth or young adults. Requires the Office of Youth Services to submit a report twenty days prior to the regular session of the Legislature.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL RECORDS.

Repeals the requirement for the Department of Health to approve a health care provider's arrangement for the retention and preservation of patients' medical records before the provider ceases operations. Clarifies that retention and preservation of medical records must be consistent with federal and state regulations and requires providers to notify patients on how to access or request copies of their medical records. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AMENDING SECTION 323D-54, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, TO EXEMPT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FROM CERTIFICATE OF NEED REQUIREMENTS.

Exempts health care facilities operated or services provided by the Department of Health, chronic renal dialysis centers, and psychiatric behavioral health services from the State Health Planning and Development Agency's certificate of need requirements. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CREDENTIALING OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

Requires the Department of Health to establish a two-year Centralized Health Care Credentialing Pilot Program that reduces duplicative activities required for the credentialing of health care providers by hospitals, universities, clinics, health plans, and independent practice associations; and convene an advisory committee. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Amends the quorum requirement for the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY AEROMEDICAL SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to the counties to increase access to emergency aeromedical services. Appropriates funds into and out of the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund to the Department of Health for the establishment and operating expenses for emergency aeromedical services. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MANUFACTURED HEMP PRODUCTS.

Clarifies that the definition of "manufactured hemp products" in section 328G-1, HRS, includes hemp products specified in rules adopted by the Department of Health pursuant to section 328G-4, HRS.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MANUFACTURED HEMP PRODUCTS.

Establishes a minimum age requirement for the sale of manufactured hemp products.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO REGISTRATION TO SELL MANUFACTURED HEMP PRODUCTS.

Requires manufactured hemp product distributors and manufactured hemp product retailers to register with the Department of Health to sell manufactured hemp products; requires the Department of Health to collect application fees and issue certificates of registration.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CHANGES TO RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONCERNING PATIENTS, THE COUNTY OF KALAWAO, AND THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT.

Authorizes the Department of Health to continue providing services statewide to Hansen's disease patients living in the community. Repeals sections of Chapter 326, HRS, to take effect upon the two‑year anniversary of the passing of the last patient resident of Kalaupapa, as affirmed in a Governor's proclamation. Requires future planning for the Kalaupapa Settlement to include community organizations, including one selected in consultation with the Molokai community. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Beginning July 1, 2026, bans the sale of all flavored tobacco products and mislabeled e-liquid products. Establishes positions and appropriates funds to enforce the ban. Repeals section 328J-11.5, HRS. Effective July 1, 2025.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Repeals section 328J-11.5, HRS.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS TO IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS.

Repeals the non-medical exemption from immunization requirements.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO NUISANCES.

Clarifies that the Department of Health has the legal authority and obligation to prevent and address nuisances that affect environmental health or public health, or both. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat