Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Requires a portion of the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to be deposited into the Special Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Converts two temporary Farm-to-School extension agent positions within the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience into permanent positions. Establishes an Agriculture Education Coordinator position. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTE OR DISPOSAL FACILITIES.

Prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of any waste or disposal facility on land that is near or above a significant aquifer as determined by the Department of Health. Reduces the required buffer zone around waste or disposal facilities.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO INCLUSIONARY ZONING.

Prohibits any law, ordinance, or rule from imposing an inclusionary zoning requirement on housing offered exclusively for sale or rent in perpetuity to buyers or renters who are residents of the State, are owner-occupants or renters, and do not own any other real property. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO PLANT-BASED BUILDING MATERIALS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for the establishment and operation of programs relating to the development of biocements and hemp- and bamboo-based building materials. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a study to identify the most cost-effective investments for clean energy alternatives to combustible fuels. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER QUALITY.

Expands the duties and powers of the Department of Health that relate to water quality and water quality testing to ensure the safety and health of Hawaii's residents. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Amends the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to address carbon emissions. Incrementally increases the tax rate over time. Establishes a refundable tax credit to mitigate the effect of a carbon emissions tax on lower-income taxpayers. Establishes and appropriates moneys into the carbon emissions tax and dividend special fund. Reenacts the agricultural development and food security special fund. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires each public school in the State, including charter schools, to employ, or retain under contract, at least 1 mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Education to contract for mental health professionals and to establish an unspecified number of fulltime equivalent mental health professional positions within the Department of Education. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Education to assign school resource officers or guards to serve at public elementary schools and state prekindergarten programs. Requires report to the Legislature. Requires the Department of Education to seek funding from federal grants. Appropriates funds.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO ABANDONED VEHICLES.

Authorizes each county director of finance to waive, for up to one year, certain abandoned vehicle tow, storage, and other charges, fees, and fines owed to the county.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to allow other executive branch departments to select applicants for civil service positions from the applicant pool for initial screening.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE.

Requires the State Building Code Council to develop and adopt a green building standards code.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the general excise tax by 1%. Establishes the teacher salary special fund within the Department of Education. Requires that increased general excise tax revenues be deposited into the teacher salary special fund and the school facilities special fund.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the - school year, requires public elementary, middle, and high school classes to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Requires the Department of Education to adjust state-provided bus and school meal schedules accordingly.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to mail beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, monthly accountability reports that contain certain information on leases and fiscal matters.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Requires the immediate towing of any parked motor vehicle that is not properly registered, does not display a valid safety inspection sticker, or is parked in violation of any state traffic law.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO DOWN PAYMENTS.

Establishes within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation a current and returning resident down payment program to provide matching funds for the down payment on a primary residence. Appropriates moneys and establishes positions.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.

Prohibits the planting of large trees along evacuation routes. Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to identify large trees along evacuation routes and trim, spray, or remove large trees having the potential to obstruct an evacuation route. Defines evacuation route. Appropriates moneys.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO POWERS OF ATTORNEY.

Establishes additional requirements to revoke or make changes relating to agents under powers of attorney of principals diagnosed with cognitive deficits. Requires submittals to the Adult Protective and Community Service Branch of the Department of Human Services. Requires the Branch to issue a notice of receipt to the principal and any person initiating the change. Establishes a mandatory waiting period before any proposed change takes effect. Establishes an expedited process for a court order granting an emergency change to a power of attorney.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO DISABLED VETERANS.

Exempts disabled veterans from the State's vehicle weight tax and repeals the exemption for disabled veterans from the State's annual vehicle registration fee.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO VETERANS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS.

Regulates persons receiving compensation for providing advice or assistance regarding veterans benefits. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS.

Disallows the dividends-paid deduction for real estate investment trusts. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DOG BREEDERS.

Defines a "dog breeder" as any person who owns, possesses, controls, or otherwise has charge or custody of more than ten dogs over the age of twelve months with intact sexual organs, and who sells, barters, or otherwise transfers more than three litters and more than twenty-five dogs per calendar year. Requires dog breeders to meet minimum standards of care and not place certain types of dogs in the same enclosure to ensure the proper treatment and care of dogs and the dogs' offspring. Prohibits any person from owning or having custody of more than thirty dogs over one year with intact sexual organs. Requires dog breeders to maintain specific written records for each dog for a specified period. Authorizes each county to assess, implement, and enforce its own licensing system. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST SENIORS.

Removes the requirement that a perpetrator of certain crimes knows or reasonably should know that the victim is a person sixty years of age or older.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies the authority of condominium associations to impose fines for violations of the declaration, bylaws, house rules, or regulations adopted by the condominium association. Establishes a process for the unit owner or tenant of the unit owner to appeal the imposition of a fine. Clarifies the responsibilities of unit owners to pay common expense assessments. Clarifies the rights and process for unit owners to appeal assessments other than common expense assessments.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Authorizes certain government entities to establish a self-certification process for behind-the-meter, customer-sited solar distributed energy resource systems and exempt the systems from the Federal Emergency Management Agency No-Rise/No-Impact declaration requirements under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Requires the counties to upgrade to zero emission buses by 2045. Requires the state agencies to prioritize zero emission buses in the procurement policy for purchasing or leasing motor vehicles. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST BANA PACIFIC INC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Bana Pacific Inc. in constructing a biogas production facility. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

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

Transfers the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from the Department of Accounting and General Services to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Transfers the authority held by the Comptroller over the Works of Art Special Fund to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes the Performing Arts Grants Program to support performing arts in the State. Clarifies the scope of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' responsibilities to include the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. Amends the authority for funds from the works of art special fund to be used only for costs related to the acquisition of works of art and the planning, design, construction of works of art and related appurtenances. Requires reports to the legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE NATURAL ENERGY LABORATORY OF HAWAII AUTHORITY.

Clarifies that the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority's duties include supporting aquaculture.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SCHOOL FACILITIES AUTHORITY.

Clarifies that the School Facilities Authority is responsible for certain development, planning, and construction projects for prekindergarten, preschool, and child care facilities, as well as workforce housing. Allows the School Facilities Authority to use the Department of Education for certain recruitment and hiring responsibilities. Allows the School Facilities Authority to partner with public and private development agencies to develop prekindergarten facilities. Exclude School Facilities Authority Board workgroups and subcommittees from the Sunshine Law, except as it relates to permitted interactions.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES.

Requires utilities to pay distributed energy resources program customers for bill credits generated by the customer that are not used by the customer within 1 year.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PROPERTY.

Amends the definition of "historic property" under the State's historic preservation program to include only property that predates Statehood Day and, with respect to buildings and structures, is registered on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires condominium associations to repair defective conditions of common elements that constitute health or safety violations. Allows unit owners to make the repairs at the association's expense.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract its review of proposed state projects, projects on privately owned historic property, and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants if the Department is unable to complete its review within sixty days.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM.

Allows children having a parent or guardian who is a public school teacher to have priority for enrollment in the Executive Office on Early Learning public prekindergarten program.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Requires state and local law enforcement agencies to notify an individual of their rights when in state or local law enforcement agency custody before any interview with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement pertaining to certain matters regarding civil immigration violations. Designates all records relating to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to detained individuals provided by a state or local law enforcement agency as public records under chapter 92F, HRS. Requires state and local law enforcement agencies that have provided the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to a detained individual within the previous year to hold two public forums per year.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO GOATS.

Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from establishing or implementing bag limits for goats in public hunting areas.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO CORPORATIONS.

Requires domestic and foreign corporations to provide their shareholders with reports of independent expenditures and political contributions.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FERAL ANIMALS.

Designates the Department of Land and Natural Resources as the primary agency for the trapping of feral goats, sheep, and pigs. Requires the Department to establish a program to humanely manage populations of feral goats, sheep, and pigs in the State by trapping.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Makes an appropriation for the operation of an additional ambulance for the island of Hawaii to be based in Makalei.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ANIMALS.

Establishes a spay and neuter special fund. Establishes a spay and neuter special fund advisory committee to develop eligibility criteria for and manage the disbursement of the special fund. Authorizes, and requires the Director of Taxation to amend the individual state income tax form to facilitate, the designation of tax refund moneys to be paid to the spay and neuter special fund. Appropriates moneys into and out of the special fund.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO POLOLU VALLEY MANAGEMENT EFFORTS ON HAWAII ISLAND.

Appropriates moneys for Pololu Valley management, including for the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop the trailhead; develop the infrastructure necessary to accommodate parking; install appropriate informational, historical, and educational signage; design and construct restroom facilities; and establish positions to manage the trail area. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an income tax credit for medically-related travel expenses not covered by insurance.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes a working group within the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study to assess the State's port and harbor system and the potential viability of each location in that system to support current and future agricultural product transportation methods and needs. Requires a report. Appropriates moneys.

III RichardsDemocrat