Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS.

Authorizes each county to enact ordinances to enforce the design and construction requirements for the provision of accessible parking spaces, including the establishment of penalties for failure to comply with the ordinances.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

Requires utilization review entities to submit data relating to the prior authorization of health care services to the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Establishes the Health Care Appropriateness and Necessity Working Group within the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AN INTENSIVE MOBILE TEAM PILOT PROGRAM FOR HOUSELESS INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS BRAIN DISORDERS.

Establishes a three-year Intensive Mobile Team Pilot Program in the Department of Health to provide intensive mobile treatment-type services, including "street psychiatry", to chronically houseless individuals suffering from serious brain disorders, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Requires the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to submit reports to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

Enhances sharing of critical infrastructure information between infrastructure owners and operators and the state government. Defines and protects "critical infrastructure information" that is crucial for direct support of the security and resilience of the State. Provides homeland security partners with reassurance that their proprietary information provided to the state government will be protected from disclosure. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as an investigator in a position identified by the Department of the Attorney General or the Department of Law Enforcement as a labor shortage or difficult—to-fill position, subject to certain conditions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction or the human resources management chief executive of each county to include in their annual reports to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as investigators.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII RETIREMENT SAVINGS ACT.

Clarifies the definition of "covered employer" under the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act. Requires covered employers to automatically enroll covered employees into the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program unless the covered employee chooses to opt out. Effective upon approval.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO RESTORATION OF BEACH LANDS.

Amends the definition of "beach restoration" to include activities undertaken to maintain and improve eroded beaches and degraded dune systems through the management of sand and native vegetation, place sand on an eroded beach, and remove abandoned remnant materials that pose a risk to public and ecosystem health. Appropriates funds for a Kahana Bay beach restoration pilot project and a sand restoration and dune replenishment pilot project on the island of Maui. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO OCEAN USER SAFETY.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to issue interim rules regarding commercial and recreational use of water sports equipment.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FEES.

Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources the environmental stewardship fee program to collect a fee from visitors through an environmental stewardship license and allocate the revenue to protect, restore, and manage natural and cultural resources through grants to nonprofit organizations. Establishes the environmental stewardship fee special fund. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Commission to make recommendations to the Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the use of revenues in the special fund. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct rulemaking. Requires a report to the legislature, including an environmental stewardship fee strategic plan. Creates civil or administrative penalties to be imposed after July 1, 2030. Appropriates funds.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS ON DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES LANDS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO UPDATING PUBLIC LAND LEASES ISSUED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 171, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

Requires that lease extensions approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources be drafted on forms that reflect contemporary leasing practices and policies of the Board, and which shall control over conflicting or inconsistent provisions in the lease being extended.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and amends the maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code, expands the types of potential violations of the State Water Code, and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO A STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Reenacts the Historic Preservation Income Tax Credit. Establishes an annual cap amount on the tax credit of $1,000,000. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 12/31/2030. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM.

Amend sections 6E-3 and 76-16(b), HRS, to allow the Department of Land and Natural Resources to employ both civil service and non-civil service professional and technical staff in its State Historic Preservation Program.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PASS-THROUGH ENTITY TAXATION.

For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024, requires all qualified members claiming a credit for pass-through entity taxation to adjust their income to include the qualified member's share of taxes paid by an electing pass-through entity. Effective July 1, 3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

Repeals the general excise tax exemption for amounts received by independent sugar cane farmers. Repeals the general excise tax exemption for amounts received by a contractor of the Patient-Centered Community Care Program that is established by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to title 38 United States Code section 8153. Effective 1/1/2026. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX ADMINISTRATION.

Permanently exempts the software developer supervisor in the Department of Taxation and the data privacy officer and tax business analysts in the Director's office of the Department from civil service.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Authorizes supplemental allotments and transfer of unrequired balances for capital improvement program projects and establishes a protocol fund for each state principal department. Effective upon approval.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CENTRAL SERVICES ASSESSMENT.

Amends the transfer of funds for central service expenses from the State Highway Fund, Airport Revenue Fund, and Harbor Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Exempts from the Hawaii Public Procurement Code contracts by government bodies to procure certain construction projects.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL FACILITY REVENUE BONDS.

Increases the total principal amount of special facility revenue bonds that may be issued by the Department of Transportation for harbor improvements. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL ADVANCEMENT CONTRACTS.

Amends section 266-19.5(d), HRS, for the purpose of increasing the cap for the contract value of any one capital advancement contract (CAC) and the cap for the total aggregate value of CACs in a fiscal year entered into by the Department of Transportation with private parties for harbor improvements. Adds reporting requirements for the department.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREFIGHTING AT COMMERCIAL HARBORS.

Limits civil liability of individuals who render firefighting services at any of the State's commercial harbors or roadsteads, any commercial harbor or waterfront improvement belonging to or controlled by the State, or any vessel within a commercial harbor or roadstead to only damages resulting from an individual's gross negligence or wanton acts or omissions.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL HARBORS.

Requires masters or persons in charge of vessels to follow an order by a harbor master to evacuate a commercial harbor in emergencies. Establishes higher penalties for noncompliance. Authorizes fines collected for violations of this requirement as moneys to be paid into the Special Harbor Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUPIL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY.

Amends sections 286-102 and 286-181, HRS, to allow exemptions to include use of motorcoaches, small buses, and vans, which may not meet school bus regulations for school bus services, but which shall otherwise meet vehicle requirements and qualifications set forth in chapter 19-143, Hawaii Administrative Rules, to the extent required by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Education, when adult staff chaperone escorts of students are provided while students are being transported between designated locations off-campus and designated locations on-campus.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes for a county to impose a mileage-based road usage charge. Provides for disposition of funds of county mileage-based road usage charge. Clarifies the disposition of funds of state mileage-based road usage charge. Repeals the maximum amount a driver will pay in a state mileage-based road usage charge on June 30, 2028. Establishes a default state mileage-based road usage charge rate when missing, incomplete, or incorrect odometer reading information that will prevent the state mileage-based road usage charge from being calculated. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTORCYCLE INSTRUCTION PERMITS.

Starting on July 1, 2026, requires all applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to successfully complete a basic motorcycle rider course approved by the Department of Transportation before becoming eligible for the permit. Designates exemptions for certain drivers on an enclosed training course. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSING.

Amends section 286-236, HRS, to meet current federal regulations to allow the State to issue a limited-term non-domiciled commercial learner's permit and non-domiciled commercial driver's license for applicants who are unable to provide proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY REVENUE BONDS.

Restores the revenue bond authorization for the Department of Transportation to issue Highway Revenue Bonds for highway capital improvement projects authorized in Act 164, SLH 2023, as amended by Act 230, SLH 2024. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (7) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 7/1/2050. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (8) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 7/1/2050. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (9) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (10) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (11) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (13) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls in the fourth quarter due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL COSTS.

Makes emergency appropriations for fiscal year 2024-2025 to the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Judiciary for payroll and fringe benefits of affected Department of Law Enforcement personnel. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INTEREST ON INSURANCE PROCEEDS RELATED TO A MORTGAGE LOAN.

Requires licensed mortgage servicers and financial institutions to pay interest on insurance proceeds held for the benefit of consumers. Provides that a fee shall not be charged to the borrower in connection with the maintenance or disbursement of interest earned from interest-bearing accounts. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MONEY TRANSMITTERS MODERNIZATION ACT.

Aligns the State's Money Transmitters Modernization Act with the Model Money Transmitters Modernization Act, thereby enabling Hawaii to work within a network of states to license, supervise, and examine transglobal money transmission companies as a multistate system; adopts nationwide standards that provide clarity and consistency in calculating the tangible net worth of licensees; ensures that licensees have sufficient financial resources to conduct their business in a safe and sound manner; and promotes efficiency throughout the licensing process.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY-EFFICIENCY PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Extends the State's deadline to achieve its energy-efficiency portfolio standards target from 2030 to 2045 and updates the standards. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish interim goals for electricity use reduction to be achieved by 2025, 2035, and 2040. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to adjust the 2030 and 2045 standard and interim standards.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE PROGRAM.

Clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission under the Universal Service Program may provide, and may use funds from the Universal Service Fund to provide, free telecommunications access to certain individuals with a print disability.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION'S OPERATING BUDGET.

Permits condominium associations to borrow from or reallocate their reserve funds provided the loan is repaid within one year. Effective upon approval.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

Makes an emergency appropriation out of the Public Utilities Commission Special Fund for the Public Utilities Commission to procure services by consultants with technical expertise in the efforts to strengthen the resilience and reliability of electric utility services in the State.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STRENGTHEN HAWAII HOMES PROGRAM.

Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program to encourage single-family homeowners to retrofit their homes to resist damage by providing for grants to help offset the cost of retrofits. Appropriates funds.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STABILIZATION OF PROPERTY INSURANCE.

Expands the powers of the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to help to stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study. Appropriates moneys.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat