Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT.

Appropriates funds for equipment for the Oahu Branch of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires Huli Au Ola to conduct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention to serve the island of Molokai. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE, HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS, AND BEACHES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate, healthy native ecosystems, and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS.

Establishes a Food and Product Innovation Network within the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Appropriates funds for the development of Food and Product Innovation Network facilities. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Requires claims of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by first responders to be compensable under workers' compensation under certain conditions if the post-traumatic stress disorder resulted from the first responder acting within the course and scope of the first responder's employment. Defines "first responder." Exempts injuries caused by post-traumatic stress disorder from certain time limitations applicable to workers' compensation claims.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Creates a presumption for workers' compensation purposes that diseases of the heart in firefighters and law enforcement officers were proximately caused by and resulted from the nature of the person's employment if certain conditions are met. Exempts injuries caused by disease of the heart from certain time limitations applicable to workers' compensation claims. Establishes a process for regular physical examinations of firefighters and law enforcement officers to reduce heart disease risks.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO RURAL EMERGENCY HOSPITALS.

Creates a framework for the licensure of rural emergency hospitals by the Department of Health. Provides for the continuation of Medicaid policy protections for hospitals transitioning to a rural emergency hospital designation.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Clarifies the definition of "power-generating facility" for the purposes of environmental impact assessments to include facilities that rely on the combustion of any fuel source, including facilities operating beginning 1/1/2025, and facilities that convert from one source of energy to another source, where the new source requires combustion and the electrical output rating of the converted facility exceeds 5.0 megawatts.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPOSTABLE PLASTIC PACKAGING.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires persons that provide single-use compostable plastic packaging or utensils for any food or beverages sold in the State to have on-site composting collection bins and ensure the collection and delivery of disposed single-use compostable plastic packaging or utensils to certain commercial composting facilities under certain circumstances. Requires the Department of Health to report to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2026 through 2035.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires all state agencies to make the full text of their rules available on the website of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in a digitally accessible and searchable format that meets or exceeds certain federal standards. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER.

Establishes the Landfill Advisory Committee within the Department of Health. Requires the DOH, in consultation with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and each county's department of board or water supply to create maps of the State's drinking water aquifers. Prohibits the siting, construction, modification, or expansion of any waste or disposal facility for hazardous or solid waste on land that is near or above an aquifer as determined by the DOH in consultation with the affected county's department or board of water supply. Expands buffer zones from one-half mile to one mile around a waste or disposal facility. Establishes penalties. Expands the definition of buffer zone to include aquifers, hotel or tourist accommodations, and businesses.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a recognition program to incentivize schools to submit to the Department a plan for the school to reach the local farm to school meal goal of thirty per cent of food served in the school to consist of locally sourced products by 2030. Requires all department high schools to provide a plant-based meal option for school meals, under certain conditions.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

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 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER CONSERVATION.

Incentivizes the installation and use of gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators in the State by establishing an income tax credit to be administered by the Department of Taxation. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish a rebate program. Requires the State Building Code Council to adopt certain standards on gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ARBORISTS.

Requires the State to ensure and enforce that all certified arborists in its employ, including contractors, adhere to best management practices.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER.

Part I: Establishes a WAI Policy Coordinator and other positions within the Commission on Water Resource Management for coordination of Red Hill WAI initiatives. Creates the Red Hill Remediation Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature, Governor, and Mayor and City Council of the City and County of Honolulu. Appropriates funds. Part II: Allows the Commission of Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel. Repeals the position of Deputy to the Chairperson of the Commission and establishes the position of Executive Director of the Commission. Amends the composition of the Commission and administratively attaches it to DLNR. Authorizes entities to challenge an emergency order of the Commission under certain conditions. Establishes fines for certain water use offenses. Amends the Commission's authority to declare water emergencies and issue orders to address them and declare water shortages and related notice requirements. Specifies that the nominating committee of the Commission shall include one person appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Prohibits the usage of synthetic substances in school meals at Department of Education and public charter schools. Defines "synthetic substances".

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Requires certain priority level 1 cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected before 1/1/2035. Requires priority level 2 and other cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected before 1/1/2040, rather than before 1/1/2050, with certain exemptions. Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER QUALITY.

Clarifies the level of environmental restoration owners and operators of underground storage tanks or tank systems that had a confirmed release must satisfy by requiring the removal of all jet fuel, including fuel additives and all compounds resulting from the degradation of jet fuel or jet fuel additives or the reaction of jet fuel or jet fuel additives with water or other chemicals. Establishes a rebuttable presumption that the detection of these contaminants in the vicinity of an underground storage tank or a tank system after a confirmed release is a result of the confirmed release.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AN INTERSTATE COMPACT TO PHASE OUT CORPORATE WELFARE.

Adopts the Interstate Compact to Phase Out Corporate Welfare.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PLANT-BASED FOOD AND DRINKS.

Requires state agencies to establish a Plant-Based-By-Default Program for food and drinks offered at state-operated prisons, state-licensed hospitals, and government-sponsored events. Requires the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Comptroller, and Director of Health to submit annual reports to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Effective 7/1/2026.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE.

Establishes statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion. Requires each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to reduce all organic waste produced within the county by facilities generating more than a specified amount of organic waste per year in alignment with established state benchmarks. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO TOXIC CHEMICALS.

Requires state agencies that monitor environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels (EALs) to ensure the preservation of a safe environment. Prohibits modifications to EALs unless certain procedural requirements are met. Establishes a process to allow any resident to petition for modifications to an established EAL.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SOLID WASTE.

Requires municipal solid waste combustor ash to be disposed of only in a lined landfill. Prohibits the reuse of municipal solid waste incinerator ash for uses such as roadbuilding, fill, or construction.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Clarifies the process by which the Hawaii Community Development Authority may approve residential development on certain parcels of Kakaako Makai. Raises the building height limit and the maximum floor area ratio on certain parcels in the area. Requires a certain percentage of the residential units developed on certain parcels to be allocated to households at or below a certain income level in perpetuity, with priority given to certain essential workforce in the area. Limits the sale of residential units developed in certain residential developments to prospective owner-occupants. Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to determine a Kakaako Makai association fee to be collected from residents, tenants, and lessees of certain parcels to be deposited into a special account in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Special Fund to fund various services and projects in the Kakaako Makai area. (SD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO FEDERAL LAND.

Establishes an Advisory Committee convened by the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Health to inventory lands owned by the United States government which may be reasonably transferred back to the State and to make recommendations on relevant land conditions and appropriateness of potential transfer. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS LABORATORY.

Requires the Department of Health to construct, establish, and operate an environmental toxins testing laboratory to test samples submitted by the public for diseases; water, air, and soil quality; and complex testing. Requires a report to the Legislature. Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to support public schools impacted by a local investor‑owned electric utility's planned public safety power shutoff program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes provisions for the storage and maintenance of a stock supply of bronchodilators at schools. Requires the Department of Education to establish a protocol for the storage, usage, and administration of bronchodilators. Establishes provisions regarding the administration of certain medications by a volunteer at Department of Education schools. Clarifies labeling requirements for bronchodilator prescriptions issued to the Department of Education for a stock supply of bronchodilators.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO BRAILLE LITERACY.

Establishes Braille literacy as a policy of the State. Requires literacy assessments for eligible low vision and blind students to include Braille instruction and the use of Braille. Authorizes the Department of Education to adopt administrative rules. Establishes the Braille Literacy Resource Center. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include any individual or household whose monthly income is equal to or less than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for its Hoakea Program. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO MARRIAGE OF MINORS.

Raises the minimum age to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Repeals the authority of parents and the family court to consent to a minor's marriage. Repeals spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Makes conforming amendments.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds for the establishment of five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO MANDATORY PRIOR WRITTEN NOTICE AND CONSENT IN CONTRACTS TO PROVIDE CREMATION SERVICES.

Beginning 10/1/2025, requires mortuaries, cemeteries, and pre-need funeral authorities that contract to provide cremation services to provide written notice if precious metals are recovered after cremation and to obtain written consent before the sale or recycling of any recovered precious metals. Requires mortuaries, cemeteries, and pre-need funeral authorities that have contracted to provide cremation services to give certain notice of updated terms by 1/1/2026.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WOMEN'S COURT.

Establishes a temporary three-year Women's Court Pilot Program within the second, third, and fifth circuits. Establishes temporary positions. Requires a report. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish and administer a Biosecurity Fencing Cost-Sharing Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to exercise its power of eminent domain to acquire certain parcels. Appropriates funds for the acquisition of those parcels.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO ACCESS TO WATER ON HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to work with the appropriate county board or department of water supply to provide access to potable and agricultural water on Hawaiian home lands; provided that any agreement between DHHL and that county board or department of water supply is made available to the public.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

Requires the Department of Health to amend its administrative rules to: (1) Authorize not more than five dwellings and dwelling units connected to a single individual wastewater system; and (2) Provide that not more than five bedrooms may be connected to a single individual wastewater system. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HALAULA AGRICULTURAL PARCEL.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for the purchase of the Halaula Agricultural Parcel for agricultural development. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO AQUATIC LIFE.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to amend the definition of "aquarium purposes", in Hawaii Administrative Rules, to allow a bona fide aquaculture entity or scientific research entity to collect aquatic life without a permit so long as the aquatic life remains in the county in which it was collected while it is alive.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY PERMITS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to update the online Wiki Permits service to include locations for which a right-of-entry permit for commercial activity is available via the service. Requires public input prior to the removal of any location from the list of available locations. Requires the Department to refund fees for right-of-entry permits if the permitted location is removed from the list of available locations before the commercial activity occurs.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO CARBON OFFSETS.

Requires the Department of Transportation to assist and enable a person to voluntarily purchase a verified carbon offset for carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the person's air travel to or from an airport in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Permits film production on lands that are zoned for agricultural use in counties with a population of less than five hundred thousand and that meet other conditions. Establishes the Agricultural Film Production Land Use Oversight Committee to monitor and enforce compliance with regulations on film permit activities on agricultural zoned lands.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES FEE PROGRAM.

Establishes a Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture that, beginning 1/1/2026, imposes a fee on the distribution and sale of sugar-sweetened beverages in the State. Establishes the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Special Fund. Requires moneys in the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Special Fund to be expended for the Hawaii Healthy Food Incentive Program and administration of the Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Fee Program. Allows the Department to contract with a third-party to administer the program. Requires the Auditor to conduct a management and financial audit of the program. Requires the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture to adopt rules by 12/31/2025. Establishes criminal and civil penalties. Requires reports to the Legislature and the Governor. Appropriates funds.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and other relevant stakeholders. Establishes the Microbial Algae Soil Products Pilot Program Special Fund. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to adopt administrative rules. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER.

Authorizes the Department of Health to allow any county to implement a Gray Water Recycling Program that permits certain small farms of less than ten square acres in size the ability to use gray water for the purposes of irrigation. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREFIGHTING.

Requires the State Fire Marshal to establish a Statewide Firefighting Helicopter Program. Appropriates funds for the State Fire Marshal to obtain helicopters, facilities equipment, drones, and supplies; hire and train staff; and do other things necessary to ensure that the Program is ready to begin providing aerial firefighting services on 7/1/2026.

III RichardsDemocrat