Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes the Superintendent to hire a new contractor if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted service capacity or designated service segment for five or more consecutive instructional days. Authorizes the Department of Education to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a designated service segment without an approved justification. Authorizes the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Adjusts and requests appropriations for fiscal biennium 2025‑2027 funding requirements for operations and capital improvement projects of Executive Branch agencies and programs. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to contract with one or more organizations specializing in domestic violence to provide training and on-site staff in Child Welfare Services Branch offices to support all aspects of screening for and addressing domestic violence within a case. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSERVATION MITIGATION BANKS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources and certain public or private entities to operate conservation banks, subject to approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources, for situations where a person or entity is required to provide compensatory mitigation to offset adverse impacts to threatened, endangered, candidate, or proposed species as part of an approved incidental take license and habitat conservation plan. Adds the associate director of the United States Geological Survey, Ecosystem Mission Area, to the membership of the Endangered Species Recovery Committee. Requires the Endangered Species Recovery Committee to review applications and proposals for conservation banks and conduct subsequent reviews and oversight. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE FINANCING.

Requires the Executive Office on Aging to develop the framework and scope of work for a proposed study that examines the feasibility, impacts, and costs of different public and private financing options for long-term care services and supports. Authorizes the Executive Office on Aging to contract with the University of Hawaii. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO CHARITABLE SOLICITATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027: establishes prompt payment and financial reporting requirements for professional solicitors that sell donated or collected non-perishable tangible property on behalf of charitable organizations and prohibits these professional solicitors from failing to visibly display certain signage; comply with prompt payment, financial reporting, and contract term requirements; or prominently disclose certain information on any collection bin, container, or receptacle used to receive donated or collected property. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Explicitly applies existing grant standards to Performing Arts Grants Program grants under the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Effective 7/13/2085. (SD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT ACT.

Amends the definition of "development," as it pertains to coastal zone management, to exclude any state- or county-funded infrastructure improvement project that is exempted from an environmental assessment or determined as a finding of no significant impact under chapter 343, HRS. Applies only to zones established in Lahaina in the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires that have been designated for reentry by the State or County of Maui as of January 1, 2026, excluding lands owned by or under the control of the State or County of Maui. Effective 7/1/2050. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (SD2)

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Allows small condominium associations with a building or buildings of no more than two stories to waive the requirement for the reserve study to be reviewed by an independent reserve study preparer if a majority of unit owners at a meeting approve the waiver and certain other requirements are met, but prohibits associations from waiving this requirement for consecutive three-year periods. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO VISAS.

Establishes uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U and T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas. Requires each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U and T visa certifications, consistent with those statewide requirements. Appropriates funds for the Department of the Attorney General to provide training to certifying entities and certifying officials on all federal and state requirements for U and T visa certifications. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to notify an individual in the custody of a state or county law enforcement agency of their rights before any interview with federal immigration authorities pertaining to certain matters regarding civil immigration violations can commence. Designates all records relating to federal immigration authorities access to detained individuals provided by a state or local law enforcement agency as government records. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies that have provided federal immigration authorities access to a detained individual within the previous year to hold two public forums per year. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Amends Act 289, SLH 2025, to replace the Senior Residence at Iwilei parcel with the Westridge parcel, repeal the designation of affected parcels as public lands, change the transfer date for the Alii Tower parcel to 12/31/2026, change the deadline for approval by the City and County of Honolulu to 12/31/2027, change the repeal date to 1/1/2028, and repeal reenactment language. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO DEMENTIA.

Establishes the Hanai Memory Network Program within the Executive Office on Aging to create a network of dementia care specialists and support systems to assist individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS.

Establishes the Community Behavioral Health Clinics Certifying Office to certify and decertify community behavioral health clinics and provide technical assistance for clinics seeking certification. Establishes the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Oversight Board. Amends the composition of the Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances and State Council on Mental Health to include a member from the Community Behavioral Health Clinics Certifying Office. Establishes decertification process. Limits state liability. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Exempts state funds received by the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra from chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes. (SD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

For policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2026, requires insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for standard fertility preservation services for persons undergoing medically necessary treatment that may cause iatrogenic infertility. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD2)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO PROTECTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS.

Establishes statewide standards for state and county agencies, officers, employees, and contractors, to limit participation in civil immigration enforcement in or near protected community locations. By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies, provide annual staff training, and maintain data privacy protections. Appropriates funds for implementation by the Attorney General. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Prohibits passenger ropeways on public property in all land use districts, with an exemption for a government entity or official government government-recognized corporation or nonprofit organization, subject to legislative approval. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Part I: Requires the Department of Education and state public charter schools to take certain steps to better address the harassment of educational workers, including sports officials. Authorizes the Attorney General to assist educational workers, including sports officials at department of education or public charter school sporting events, who have been subject to harassment or intentional bodily injury in obtaining a temporary restraining order. Part II: Clarifies that a sports official's duties cover sports events at public schools and private schools. Makes intentional or knowing bodily injury of an educational worker or a sports official engaged in the lawful discharge of their duties a class C felony for the first offense and a class B felony for a second or subsequent offense within ten years. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Provides annual salary step increases for public schools and public charter school teachers who have completed one year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements, if negotiated into a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 89-9, HRS, and subject to funds appropriated by the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to implement dyslexia sensitive linguistically appropriate universal screenings and evidence-based interventions, offer professional development on structured literacy and evidenced-based interventions, and support pre-teacher programs in training candidates in structured literacy instruction. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to include the instruction of braille and provision of braille instructional materials under certain circumstances; provide braille literacy support services; cooperate with the Department of Human Services when requested to submit information necessary to maintain a register of the blind in the State; provide comprehensive information about braille literacy services, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services, including educational programming options; and participate in the development of section 504 plans and individualized education programs. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Specifies that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans established by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust to provide coverage for clinical preventive services. Authorizes the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations. Clarifies that, for coverage for child health supervision services, the prevailing medical standards include recommendations by the Department of Health. Specifies that coverage for clinical preventive services shall not be denied on the basis of medical necessity or subject to prior authorization. Specifies that a registered pharmacist may order a vaccine in accordance with the recommendations from the Department of Health. Exempts this measure from an Auditor impact assessment report. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that, for tax credits issued after 7/1/2026, a partner or member that is a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any taxpayer. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, until 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Establishes a Molokai Biosecurity Advisory Board. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, with the advice of the Advisory Board, to develop a Molokai Biosecurity Plan to prevent the spread of invasive species found elsewhere in the State to the island of Molokai. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF TIME SHARES.

Establishes that applications for registration renewals for time share developers, acquisition agents, plan managers, and exchange agents required by section 514E-10, HRS, shall be deemed approved thirty days after receipt of all required documents, unless the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs issues a deficiency letter within that period. Establishes that any amendment to a required time share plan registration shall be deemed approved by operation of law on the sixtieth day after the amendment is submitted to the Director, unless the Director issues a deficiency letter within that period. Effective 9/1/2026. (SD2)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

Extends for five years certain provisions from Act 19, SLH 2020, and Act 238, SLH 2021, relating to abuse of family or household members, including establishing a petty misdemeanor offense of abuse of family or household members, clarifying penalties for violations, and allowing a deferred acceptance of guilty plea for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of family or household members offenses. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop a Human Trafficking Awareness Training Program to educate and train workers in the transient accommodations sector. Requires transient accommodations employers or transient accommodations third-party contractors to periodically provide the human trafficking awareness training to certain employees and contract workers, keep records of the training, post signage, and develop and implement a human trafficking prevention policy that includes procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking. Establishes penalties. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to adopt rules. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings and treatment for certain persons. Requires state-funded coverage for follow-up treatment for colorectal cancer for certain persons. Requires coverage to include a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive test result. Specifies that coverage is not subject to a deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirements. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII CANCER CENTER.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center's Hawaii Tumor Registry. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes within the Department of Health a one-year KupunAloha pilot program to provide in-home health care and support services to eligible participants who do not otherwise qualify for government assistance for these services. Appropriates funds for the program. Pilot program sunsets 6/30/27. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires and appropriates funds for the State Health Planning and Development Agency to develop and publish a state plan on hearing loss. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO DEMENTIA.

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, fire chiefs, Law Enforcement Standards Board, and Department of Health to make available at least one hour of dementia‑specific training for first responders, including law enforcement officers, fire first responders, and emergency medical services personnel. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to take certain steps when reviewing and recommending dementia-specific training curricula. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO LOVE MY LIBRARY DAY.

Designates the first Friday in February of each year as "Love My Library Day" in the State. (SD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Requires all public schools in the State to prohibit high-speed electric devices on public school campuses. Prohibits electric bicycles on elementary and middle or intermediate school campuses. Authorizes public high schools to require county registration and decals for any electric bicycle brought onto its premises and deny entry or require parent retrieval for an unregistered electric bicycle. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines "electric bicycle" in place of "low-speed electric bicycle". Authorizes the seizure of non-road-legal, nonconforming electric bicycles and high-speed electric devices. Defines "electric micro-mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters. Prohibits a person under the age of sixteen from operating a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle without direct supervision. Authorizes a person to ride an electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes. Substitutes the term "motor scooter" with the term "motor-driven cycle". Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to administer a statewide program for certification of active intelligent speed assistance systems and select a vendor for the installation and maintenance of systems. Limits the civil liability of motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and retailers for active intelligent speed assistance systems. Makes circumventing or tampering with an active intelligent speed assistance system a misdemeanor. Allows the Judiciary to impose the installation of active intelligent speed assistance systems as an additional penalty and as part of a license suspension or revocation for repeat offenders of certain traffic violations. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Increases the expenditure limit and the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all elective offices. Adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying contributions certain candidates must receive to participate in the Partial Public Campaign Financing Program. Increases the matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions. Appropriates funds for the Program. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HABITUAL VIOLENT CRIME.

Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with Criminal Justice Research Institute, to submit ongoing annual reports to the Legislature. Amends Act 213, SLH 2024, by requiring the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit a one-time report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2031 and extending its sunset date to 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ADOPTIONS.

Adds the requirement that a written consent to adoption be notarized.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CERTIORARI REVIEW BY THE HAWAII SUPREME COURT.

Establishes a fixed disposition deadline requiring the Supreme Court to decide an application for certiorari within 60 days after the application is filed. Applies prospectively to cases in which the judgment or dismissal order of the Intermediate Court of Appeals was filed on or after the effective date of this Act.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE ORDERS FOR PROTECTION.

Removes the requirement that requests to withhold from public inspection the petition record of a denied temporary restraining order or denied protective order be made orally.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO JURY DUTY.

Increases the amount each juror or prospective juror is paid for each day of actual attendance at court. Appropriates funds. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Appropriates supplemental funds for the Judiciary for the fiscal biennium beginning 7/1/2025 and ending 6/30/2027. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE DRIVERS LICENSE REVOCATION.

Authorizes administrative drivers license revocation hearings to be conducted using interactive conference technology, including teleconference, videoconference, and voice over internet protocol systems. Clarifies that evidence in hearings conducted via interactive conference technology may be submitted and exchanged electronically. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO VACANCIES.

Amends the processes for addressing party candidate and state senator vacancies.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ISLAND BURIAL COUNCILS.

Extends the time to fill vacancies that occur during an Island Burial Council member's term. Provides per diem compensation in the form of a stipend for Island Burial Council members representing geographic regions. Adjusts the Island Burial Councils' quorum for business to be a majority of the appointed council members, but no fewer than three members. Effective 9/9/2129. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Part I: Prohibits certain harmful uses of and mandates disclosure for realistic digital imitations generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Establishes certain exemptions. Provides for civil actions and civil remedies for individuals injured by unauthorized AI-generated realistic digital imitations. Part II: Requires the disclosure of the use of synthetic performers in advertising. Establishes civil fines. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSING.

Amends requirements to commercial driver's license qualification standards to meet current federal regulations to allow the State to issue a 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. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MEAT DONATION.

Exempts the donation of wild game meat or meat products, including axis deer, to a charitable, religious, or nonprofit organization for the purpose of feeding needy individuals from certain laws regarding the inspection and transportation of meat. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat