Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CULTURE AND ARTS.

Establishes the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to Hawaii and serve as inspirations to others. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

Requires the Executive Office on Early Learning to establish an Imagination Library of Hawaii Program to provide one free book each month to children from birth through five years of age who reside in the State. Appropriates funds.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Authorizes each qualifying individual taxpayer to claim an additional credit if the taxpayer claims any dependent under the age of eighteen.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE.

Authorizes the Hawaii State Energy Office to adopt certain federal regulations as they existed on 1/1/2025, that it deems to be in the public interest.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires self-service stations to put Public Utilities Commission-approved labels on gas dispensing equipment to advise consumers on the effects of fossil fuel consumption to human health and the environment.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO DECARBONIZATION.

Requires the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission to study the feasibility of implementing a "buy clean" decarbonization policy and program in Hawaii. Requires administrative and substantive support from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates moneys.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt by rule, any federal rule or regulation relating to the public lands of the State as it existed on 1/1/2025 that it deems are in the public interest.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS.

Requires a seller of real property adjacent to the shoreline, and the seller's agent, to disclose and include in all advertisements shoreline erosion certain issues related to the parcel.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OCEAN RECREATION SPECIAL FUND.

Authorizes the Ocean Stewardship Special Fund to be used for planning, development, designing, or implementation of beach restoration projects, including the awarding of grants to nonprofit organizations for beach and nearshore environmental cleanup.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

After 1/1/2026, prohibits businesses where food or beverages are packaged and sold on the business' premises for individual consumption from using, selling, or distributing certain disposable or single-use food ware and beverage service items, including items containing PFAS.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for biomarker testing.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Authorizes a tax credit for businesses that pay the public transportation costs of employees. Applies to counties having populations of 700,000 or more. Applies for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024 but not beginning after 12/31/2029. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC.

Provides that if a law enforcement officer lawfully stops a motor vehicle and the operator is cited for driving without a valid license, the officer shall not permit the operator to resume the use of the motor vehicle. Requires the motor vehicle to be moved by a licensed driver or towed at the owner's expense. Provides that the cited operator is responsible for arranging the operator's transportation from the scene of the stop. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Prohibits the sale of flavored nicotine products and the mislabeling of e-liquids as nicotine free. Establishes penalties for violations. Authorizes the Department of Health to appoint, commission, or contract for services of inspectors. Establishes two full-time equivalent program specialist positions and one full-time equivalent hearing officer position. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2026.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires and appropriates funds to pay salary differentials to English language educators as an incentive to attract and retain these educators. Appropriates funds.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO FOSTER CARE.

Prohibits the Department of Human Services from using any social security income payments, including supplemental income payments it receives on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department to cover the cost of foster care services. Requires the Department of Human Services to deposit all social security income payments received on behalf of a child under foster custody of the Department into a savings account that shall be made accessible to the child when the child leaves foster care custody.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

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

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 15th senatorial district.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

Allows direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees. Requires the Liquor Commission or Liquor Control Adjudication Board of each county to adopt rules and regulations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

Defines low alcohol by volume spirits beverages. Establishes lower tax rates for class 18 small craft producer pub licensees, including for low alcohol by volume spirits beverages.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Amends the definition of draft beer to mean beer in an individual container of five gallons or more.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Increases the liquor manufacturing limits for Class 18 small craft producer pub license holders.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO ALCOHOL.

Establishes a definition of "low alcohol by volume spirits beverage". Beginning 7/1/2025, establishes a tax on low alcohol by volume spirits beverages at a rate of $1.10 per wine gallon. Takes effect 6/30/2025.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.

Requires the Research and Economic Analysis Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study the impacts of the incremental minimum wage increases pursuant to Act 114, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, on businesses and other employers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO A STATE HOTEL.

Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority and School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to collaborate to actively plan for the design, construction, and operations and management of a state hotel. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO SMALL BUSINESS LOANS.

Establishes the Hawaii Start-Up Business Loan Program within the Business Development and Support Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes the Hawaii Start-Up Business Loan Program Special Fund. Requires DBEDT to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes one full-time equivalent business loan officer position. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Requires a landowner in possession of ten thousand or more acres in the State to be liable for damages and fines arising from runoff originating on the land and entering into state waters. Requires the Department of Health to prioritize enforcement of water pollution control regulations in rural areas where there are existing reports of runoff and other terms of water pollution. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Establishes a new gift card fraud law, under the scope of unfair and deceptive practices law, which requires merchants and third-party gift card resellers to take certain steps to prevent gift card scams. Requires the conspicuous provision of information regarding terms and conditions of gift certificates, regardless of whether the cards are sold in person, electronically, or telephonically. Extends the minimum redemption period for paper gift certificates to four years. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATED TO TOURISM.

Amends the types of occurrences for which the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors may request the Governor to declare a tourism emergency. Reduces the minimum balance to be maintained in the Tourism Emergency Special Fund through an allocation of transient accommodations tax revenues. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO RECYCLING.

Allows manufacturers to coordinate activities directly related to the recycling of covered electronic devices. Expands the scope of covered electronic devices to include electronic device peripherals and certain legacy devices. Requires manufacturers to provide free collection service locations and collection events.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS.

Transfers the Hawaii Child Nutrition Programs Agency from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture and codifies its establishment. Establishes a grant program to be administered by the Agency to support the funding of certain initiatives for the State's public schools. Appropriates funds for grants.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist small businesses with technology enablement and develop project management software to simplify the facilitated application process for small businesses. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Requires the court to impose a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment without possibility of parole or probation for a person convicted of a sexual assault offense.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE.

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a study on the adequacy of long-term care on the island of Molokai. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish state goals and implement projects to promote economic diversification through innovation and technology. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to the Small Business Innovation Research Program, Manufacturing Assistance Program, and Accelerator and Small Business Training Programs. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL ENERGY EXPLORATION.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a Geothermal Resources Characterization Program under the direction of the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center at the University of Hawaii. Appropriates funds.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY ASSISTANCE.

Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist qualifying households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide certain assistants to recipients of the program. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL.

Establishes the sustainable aviation fuel import tax credit. Increases the renewable fuels production tax credit amount. Repeals the: (1) cap amount of claimable renewable fuels production tax credit; (2) requirement that the tax credit be claimed for fuels with lifecycle emissions below fossil fuels; and (3) prohibition on claiming other tax credits for the cost incurred to produce renewable fuels. Specifies that the renewable fuels production tax credit can only be claimed for fuels that meet the certain thresholds. Adds an additional tax credit value. Clarifies that a taxpayer who previously claimed a renewable fuels production tax credit may claim another one for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024. Clarifies and expands required information in the certified statement for the tax credit. Repeals the requirement that the Hawaii State Energy Office provide the taxpayer with a determination of whether the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for each type of qualified fuel produced is lower than that of fossil fuels.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Clarifies that adjustments linked to premium interest rates for high yield credit are just and reasonable. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to include these incremental adjustments to the rate for electricity generated from nonfossil fuels. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires an attestation or declaration regarding project labor standards, including adherence to state-approved apprenticeship programs and prevailing wage requirements, for covered large-scale renewable energy generation projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII FIRST RESPONDERS MEMORIAL.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Accounting and General Services to hire a consultant to evaluate potential locations and designs for the Hawaii First Responders Memorial.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Repeals all permissible uses of consumer fireworks by minors. Establishes civil penalties for the use and sale of consumer fireworks, including nuisance abatement proceedings and forfeiture of assets used in the commission of the illegal use or sale of consumer fireworks. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to provide for community safety education programs. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIME.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO ETHICS.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat