Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.

Authorizes state agencies to implement automatic voter registration if designated by the Office of Elections. Requires eligible applicants for instruction permits, provisional licenses, driver's licenses, and identification cards to be automatically registered or preregistered to vote unless the applicant opts out. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Exempts from the crime of cruelty to animals in the second degree the extermination of insects, vermin, and pests, and the extermination of feral chickens on private property by the property owner, under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO ADAPTATION PATHWAYS PLANNING.

Requires the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop adaptation pathways plans to modify and relocate development and associated infrastructure away from critically vulnerable areas to locations outside of sea level rise and coastal flooding exposure area. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO FISHPONDS.

Establishes a fishpond inventory working group within the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to create an inventory and map of all fishponds on state land and conduct a literature review. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL NUMBER PLATES.

Authorizes the issuance of special number plates to recognize the island of Kahoolawe. Specifies the decal size for all special number organizational plates. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

Requires that the Hawaiian version of a law be held binding if the law in question was originally drafted in Hawaiian and then translated into English and the law has not been later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTHCARE PRECEPTORS.

Expands the definitions of "preceptor" and "volunteer-based supervised clinical training rotation" to improve accessibility for providers to receive income tax credits for acting as preceptors, including removing "primary care" from the criteria to qualify as a preceptor. Adds dietitians, physician assistants, and social workers to the list of preceptors and eligible students. Expands eligibility for the tax credit to include accredited residency programs that require preceptor support. Adds the Director of Health and representatives of residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL.

Appropriates funds for the Native Resources and Fire Protection Program and Hawaii Invasive Species Council to ensure their long-term viability and continue to control and eradicate invasive species in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Amends the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended, to authorize the transfer of a living beneficiary's place on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' waitlist for any residential, agricultural, or pastoral tract to a qualified application successor who is at least one-fourth Hawaiian, if the beneficiary dies. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS SERVICES.

Authorizes the Department of Education to use alternative vehicles for student transportation under certain conditions. Allows the Department of Education to institute a staggered school hours program in public schools. Appropriates funds for the purchase of alternative vehicles and individuals to obtain CDL licensure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Excludes a homeowner-developer from the annual requirement to file a developer's report and pay a fee if the homeowner's development consists of no more than two units, one in which the developer has resided as their principal place of residence for at least ten years and one for which the initial sale of the other unit has been completed, subject to certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO POLICING.

Requires county police departments and police oversight agencies to collect and report certain data regarding police stops, uses of force, and complaints to the Crime Prevention and Justice Assistance Division of the Department of the Attorney General. Requires the Division to collect and publish incident-level information and an annual report on the data collected. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

Appropriates funds for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to increase access to bilingual resources and services for residents with limited English proficiency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT MISCONDUCT.

Requires public schools to report to the Department of Education any incident involving physical violence. Requires the Department of Education to collect and maintain data on incidents involving physical violence at public schools and make such data publicly available. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Establishes a Green Fee Special Fund to receive an allocation of green fee revenues. Establishes various special funds to receive allocations of green fee revenues. Requires the Governor to request, through a bill separate from the budget or supplemental budget, an amount that approximates green fee revenues subtracted from the amounts allocated to the various funds to be expended for certain climate change and tourism destination management projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Establishes the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Authorizes the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund to include moneys from any revenue source and requires expenditures in the fund to be used to support the Imiloa Astronomy Center. Requires the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund to support the Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway. Establishes a cap on individual deposits into the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund and the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO THE BANYAN DRIVE-MAKAOKŪ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

Establishes the Banyan Drive-Makaokū Community Development District as an entity within the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Establishes the Banyan Drive-Makaokū Community Development District Special Fund. Specifies the powers and duties of the Authority as it relates to the new development district and amends the composition of the Authority to include representatives of the new development district. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO DECEPTIVE PRACTICES.

Requires merchants that sell cosmetics to accept returns of new or unopened goods within specified timeframes. Clarifies the definition of "conspicuous sign" and expands required placement of return and refund policy signage. Beginning 7/1/2027, requires merchants that receive three or more warning letters from the Office of Consumer Protection of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for failure to post required signage to display standardized return and refund policy signs provided by the Office. Establishes exemptions for certain merchants. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER HEATING SYSTEMS.

Authorizes building permit variances for certain high-efficiency electric water heating systems utilizing heat pump technology. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ARTS.

Establishes a position within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to support implementation and coordination of specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved and neurodiverse populations. Appropriates funds for the position, programs, and interventions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO A SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes the sustainable tourism infrastructure matching grant program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to support one-time capital investments that advance measurable sustainability and climate resilience outcomes within the State's visitor industry. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO PERFORMING ARTS.

Establishes a performing arts ticket surcharge on the primary ticket sale price for certain performing arts events held in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO PERMITS.

Establishes specific deadlines within the facilitated application process to obtain a permit and requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish certain resources and processes to help streamline permit applications. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to select projects to participate in the facilitated application process. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

Appropriates funds to the Office of the Public Defender for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Deputy Public Defender III position. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Requires the Chief Data Officer to enhance the State's open data portal website through the phased development and publishing of an artificial intelligence chatbot and necessary data visualizations on statewide shared data sets to assist the public. Requires the Chief Data Officer to develop a system to evaluate and select artificial intelligence governance tools for use by state departments and agencies and establish a mechanism for reporting and publication of artificial intelligence use cases and artificial intelligence vendors used by the departments and agencies. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO REGIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PRODUCTION.

Establishes the Regional Agricultural Feasibility and Food Systems Production Studies Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to provide coordinated, region‑specific agricultural production and crop feasibility analysis across the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to conduct a study on insurance coverage for small agricultural producers. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO MAUNA KEA.

Authorizes the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to an additional ten-year term. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Imposes the manufacturing general excise tax rate on motion picture, digital media, and film productions and repeals the provision in the definition of "qualified production costs" that applied the term to mean costs incurred that are subject to the highest general excise tax rate. Exempts from the general excise tax certain amounts received by a motion picture project employer from a client company equal to amounts that are disbursed by the motion picture project employer for employee wages, salaries, payroll taxes, insurance premiums, and employment benefits and payments to loan-out companies. Requires persons making payment to a loan-out company and claiming the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit to deduct and withhold an amount exceeding the amount actually due for all payments made to the loan-out company for services performed in the State. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE.

Clarifies that negligent homicide in the first degree shall include situations where a person causes the death of another person while operating a vehicle without a valid license. Establishes that a violation of this provision shall be a class B felony, with escalation to a class A felony when the person has two or more prior convictions for driving without a valid license within five years. Clarifies what constitutes a prior conviction for driving without a valid license. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies and requires the revenue to be deposited into the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Establishes the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Appropriates funds for a position in the Department of Taxation. Appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies. Appropriates funds for a position in the Department of Taxation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO DUE PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING PERSONAL LIABILITY FOR TAX.

Provides that a determination of personal liability for another person's unpaid general excise taxes is an assessment subject to the due process procedures and appeals available for other assessments. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes a five-year agriculture and biosecurity workforce development pilot program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii's Leeward Community College, Department of Human Resources Development, and Department of Law Enforcement. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO SUBSISTENCE GARDENING.

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity a three-year Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Increases the fee amount collected from taxpayers claiming the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit and requires a portion of funds collected to be used to support the vertical film industry in the State. Expands the funding sources of the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund to include revenues received by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from managing the Hawaii Film Studio. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Repeals 1/1/2033. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes a cap on the total number of superintendent-level positions within the Department of Education, with certain exceptions. Defines "superintendent-level position". Authorizes the Board of Education to conduct a written performance evaluation of each Complex Area Superintendent every two years. Appropriates funds to establish two Deputy Superintendent positions within the Office of the Superintendent. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.

Authorizes the issuance of special number plates for members of the Hawaii Civil Air Patrol. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Authorizes the funding for rental or lease of facilities by legislative appropriations and bond authorizations to the state public charter school commission for the design, planning, construction, repair, and maintenance of public charter school improvements. Appropriates general funds for infrastructure costs, rental or lease assistance, and the repair and maintenance of network infrastructure for charter schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO FERAL ANIMALS.

Declares feral chickens on public lands as a public nuisance and controllable pest in a city with a population of three hundred thousand or more. Prohibits supporting feral chickens on public lands, including by feeding chickens. Prohibits the abandonment of chickens on public lands or on private property without consent. Establishes fines and authorized enforcing agencies. Appropriates funds for the receipt, handling, and humane disposition of feral chickens that have already been caught. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Establishes a two-year-pilot program within the Department of Human Services to provide temporary financial stabilization assistance to families with students identified as experiencing homelessness. Funds the program through the Department of Human Services using allowable Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds. Requires Department of Education Complex Area Community Homeless Concerns Liaison to make approved purchases. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO REAL ESTATE.

Requires a licensed real estate broker or salesperson to provide written disclosure to the seller when marketing residential real property through a private or off-market listing. Includes failure to provide the written disclosure as grounds for disciplinary action against a licensed real estate broker or salesperson. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO TELEHEALTH.

Authorizes out-of-state physicians who are licensed and in good standing in the state in which they reside to provide an initial consultation via telehealth to a patient located in the State, under certain conditions. Clarifies that a physician-patient relationship may be established with an out-of-state physician via telehealth under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.

Establishes a Clean Plant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to support the production, maintenance, and distribution of disease-free, clean plant material to growers, nurseries, and other agricultural producers in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

Establishes the Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.

Makes permanent, rather than repealing upon the adoption of relevant administrative rules, the Department of Land and Natural Resources' authority to establish a transaction fee for certain services rendered by the Bureau of Conveyances for each recording in the Bureau of Conveyances and Land Court. Amends the authorized uses of moneys in the Bureau of Conveyances Special Fund. Repeals language that required the Bureau of Conveyances' microfilm fees to be established by rules. Effective 7/1/3026. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Program. Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Department of Education, to establish a STEM education outreach program, under which recipients of funds from the SBIR Matching Program must deliver presentations to public school students. Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to develop an Economic Diversification Strategic Plan. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for economic diversification and defense ecosystem development. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits with certain exceptions, the use of facial coverings and requires visible identification by law enforcement officers and their vehicles in the performance of their duties. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to establish policies regarding state and county cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement officers from prolonging a stop to inquire about a person's civil immigration status. Establishes criminal offenses for use of a mask or facial covering by a law enforcement officer, lack of visible identification, and unauthorized civil immigration arrest or detention. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO ROBOTICS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to establish robotics as an interscholastic sport. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican