Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CIVIL IDENTIFICATION.

Lowers the age to obtain a state civil identification card without a signature from a parent or guardian from eighteen years old to sixteen years old. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers to certify to the Department of the Attorney General annually that the manufacturer received a Marketing Granted Order from the federal Food and Drug Administration and that the manufacturer is in compliance with federal regulations and state laws. Requires the Department to compile and make public a directory of all electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers and products duly certified. Establishes penalties for manufacturers that fail to comply with the certification requirements and for other parties that acquire, possess, transport, keep, sell, or offer for sale products that are not in the directory. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO FILMING.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production obtains a permit or enters into a memorandum of agreement or understanding with DBEDT to film a visually recorded production at certain locations. Requires DBEDT to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production registers for pre-qualification or is determined to qualify for the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit and simultaneously post notice on a publicly accessible part of its website. Allows individuals to sign up to receive the public notice by electronic mail or postal mail. Provides an exemption for dispositions of lands set aside for filming and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSIONS.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a Cesspool Conversion Revolving Loan Fund, to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, to provide financial assistance, including low-interest or forgivable loans, to eligible homeowners for the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Exempts certain positions in the Developmental Disabilities Division of the Department of Health and Hawaii State Hospital from civil service. Authorizes the Director of Health to appoint two additional associate administrators and two project managers for the Hawaii State Hospital or a secure psychiatric rehabilitation facility. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors that are not crimes of violence, or for offenses that are not crimes of violence punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment for an offense that is not a crime of violence to apply to the court for a sentence modification to conform to the new limit. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN REMAINS.

Requires any cemetery, crematory, funeral establishment, hydrolysis facility, or mortuary to dispose of the remains of a dead human body no later than sixty days from the later of either the date a burial‑transit permit has been issued or the date of an affidavit for amendment of the permit has been submitted. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Repeals the authorization of a physician to transmit a treatment plan by mail or facsimile to an address or facsimile number provided by the employer. Requires employers denying a treatment plan to file a written denial with the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations within seven days of receipt. Places the burden of proof on the employer to establish by a preponderance of medical evidence that the denial of the treatment plan is justified. Establishes a presumption that a denial of a treatment plan not supported by a medical opinion or relevant medical records existing at the time of denial shall be without reasonable grounds. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file a written denial within the seven-day period. Requires employers to pay the appropriate health care provider for any medical care set forth in a treatment plan that is accepted or deemed accepted. Establishes penalties for employers whom the Director found to have denied a treatment plan without reasonable grounds, frivolously, or primarily for purposes of delay, or to have failed to pay for an injured employee's medical care under an accepted treatment plan. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Conditions the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate. Amends the penalty for obstruction of a license plate. Allows state or county parking enforcement officers and persons authorized by a state or county law enforcement agency to issue citations for vehicles with a cover or shield obstructing the license plate. Repeals the requirement that a cover or shield be intended to alter or interfere with the visibility, legibility, or identification of a license plate by law enforcement or traffic enforcement systems. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits entities from distributing unsolicited mail or electronic mail that employs high pressure tactics or is reasonably likely to cause a consumer to believe that the sender is affiliated with another entity that the sender is not actually affiliated with and the entity is asking the recipient to pay for goods, services, or forms of legal authorization, unless certain disclosures are met. Makes contracts that fail to meet disclosure requirements voidable at the option of the consumer. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Clarifies the process for selecting a certified provider of vocational rehabilitation services. Requires certified providers to automatically approve vocational rehabilitation services for an injured employee if those services will likely be required for suitable gainful employment and the initial evaluation report finds the injured employee feasible to participate. Requires providers to file an employee's vocational rehabilitation plan no later than one hundred twenty days after submitting an initial evaluation report, unless extended by the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations. Clarifies the process for an employer to object to a vocational rehabilitation plan. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Authorizes an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination and refer an injured employee for the examination without first obtaining permission from the employee's employer in order to assess the employee's ability to return to work. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

By 2/28/27, requires the Department of Human Services, upon obtaining a federal waiver, to establish a pre-release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process for inmates nearing release. Allows all individuals convicted of an offense involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance to apply for SNAP benefits, regardless of treatment status. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO TRADE.

Establishes the Hawaii-Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature and Governor. Appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to fund out-of-state relations activities. (CD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

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

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 SMALL BOAT HARBORS.

Revises provisions relating to state small boat harbors fees and permits. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS.

Requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to issue a disability travel placard to an applicant who has a valid removeable windshield placard or disabled paid parking exemption permit but does not have a valid special license plate, and provides proof of travel. (SD2)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION.

Allows digitized identification cards to be accepted as a valid form of identification, under certain conditions. Authorizes state and county law enforcement agencies to accept a digitized identification card as proof of a person's identity beginning 7/1/2027. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD2)

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO UNCREWED AIRCRAFT OFFENSES.

Clarifies the applicable felony offenses for using an uncrewed aircraft in the furtherance of the commission of a felony. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ETHICS ADMINISTRATIVE FINES.

Establishes uniform provisions for the assessment of administrative penalties under the State Ethics Code and Lobbyist Law.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE AUDITOR, THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU, THE OMBUDSMAN, AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION.

Appropriates funds to provide for the expenses of the Legislature, Auditor, Legislative Reference Bureau, Ombudsman, and Ethics Commission. Declares that certain appropriations will further exceed the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

Provides that leaders of nonprofit organizations shall not be fingerprinted when applying for a liquor license in counties with a population of less than five hundred thousand. (SD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO POLICE REPORTS.

Allows surviving immediate family members of deceased persons for whom law enforcement initiated an investigation to receive a copy of the closing report prepared by the investigating police department after a specified period of time. (SD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS.

Requires any order to cease and desist issued by the Director of Health that is administratively appealed to remain in effect during the appeals process.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.

Extends the deadline to register to vote by mail from 30 to 10 days prior to a primary or general election. Repeals obsolete language regarding permanent absentee ballots.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CONTENTS OF CITATIONS.

Clarifies that the omission of certain information or any error in a citation does not constitute ground for dismissal of a charge or for reversal of a conviction, if the omission or error did not prejudice the defendant.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT.

Amends the Department of the Attorney General pilot project for a state-initiated expungement process of arrest records concerning promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree to include the possession of any schedule V substance in any amount. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Prohibits the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns. Establishes mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in the commission of a felony. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT.

Authorizes the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to transmit all expungement orders to the Judiciary to effectuate the purposes of Act 159, SLH 2023. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFENSE OF PROMOTING PORNOGRAPHY FOR MINORS.

Authorizes the offense of promoting pornography for minors to be instituted by written information. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PROCEDURE FOR TAX APPEALS.

Removes language specifying that an appeal from the Tax Appeal Court be filed with the Tax Appeal Court. Allows an appeal from the Tax Appeal Court to be filed within thirty days of entry of a final judgment.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.

Clarifies the education and professional experience requirements for certified public accountant license applicants to establish alternative pathways to licensure. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO DANGEROUS DRUGS.

Conforms fentanyl to the possession offense thresholds for methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, and cocaine.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY INDUSTRY INFORMATION REPORTING.

Adds the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security to the list of agencies that may examine the energy industry information statements submitted pursuant to section 486J-3, HRS. Adds the promotion of emergency management and critical infrastructure protection as relevant purposes of the Energy Data Collection Program.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Provides that violent felons that are in violation of the prohibition against owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition are subject to a mandatory prison term. (HD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION PROCESSING.

Requires that the Attorney General's identification system include criminal cases initiated via citations that resulted in conviction, deferred acceptance of guilty or nolo contendere plea, or conditional discharge, and that a court order identification processing in such cases. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE NATIONAL GUARD.

Specifies that intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a national guard member in the performance of duty is a class C felony.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Part I: Increases the penalty for a third or subsequent offense within five years of excessive speeding to a misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum jail sentence of thirty days. Part II: Clarifying when a summons or citation is sent under an automated speed enforcement system. (CD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Allows electric cooperatives to recover wildfire mitigation, repair, and restoration costs through an automatic rate adjustment or other mechanism. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to initiate a proceeding for the adoption of rules, subject to the Governor's approval, to determine an aggregate limit for liability for economic damages from a covered catastrophic wildfire. Authorizes securitization of certain costs for electric utilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to conduct studies on whether the framework established in the measure adequately balances electric utility interests and compensation owed to catastrophic wildfire victims and on the establishment and implementation of a wildfire recovery fund and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. (CD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Amends the retirement allowance for a member who first earns credited service as a judge after 6/30/2031 to 1.75 per cent of the judge's average final compensation for each year of credited service as a judge. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to study the impacts and benefits of reducing, from 10 years to 5 years, the minimum number of years of credited service that qualified Class H, Tier 2 members of the Employees' Retirement System must have to be eligible for vested benefit status for service retirement allowance purposes. (CD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to enhance access to and participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including establishing additional positions. (CD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an installation goal for customer-sited distributed energy resources in the State. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs to achieve the installation goal and for grid services programs, microgrids, and community-based renewable energy. Ensures that certain levels of compensation are provided for solar and energy storage exports from customer-sited distributed energy resources as part of grid service programs and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish grid service compensation values. Clarifies when a person who constructs, maintains, or operates a new microgrid is not considered a public utility. Authorizes wheeling of renewable energy and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish policies and procedures to implement wheeling and microgrid service tariffs. (CD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

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 employee opts out. Repeals the limit on the total fees and expenses that can be spent for the Program each year. (CD1)

AQUINO

RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM.

Establishes a Hiring Pilot Program within the Department of Health, which includes an amended hiring procedure for delegated position classifications, certain flexibilities regarding minimum qualifications for positions having a salary range at or below SR-10, the ability to directly hire certain individuals into a civil service position if certain conditions are met, and the authority to make certain temporary appointments at the merited civil service pay scale without step limitation. Applies to recruitments initiated before 7/1/2028. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 7/1/2028. (CD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII ABLE SAVINGS PROGRAM.

Repeals language that gives the Director of Finance discretion to use moneys in the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program Trust Fund if the Director elects to accept deposits from contributors instead of sending deposits directly to the ABLE Program Manager. Authorizes the Director of Finance to expend moneys in the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program Trust Fund to provide incentive payments to ABLE account owners. Establishes a position within the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Adds loan funds administered by certified Nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) for certain for-sale affordable housing projects to the list of loan priorities for the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund. Expands the use of moneys in the revolving fund to allow financing as matching funds for CDFIs to mobilize other funding sources. (CD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO EVICTION MEDIATION.

Beginning 2/5/2026, extends the period for a notice of termination of a rental agreement from five business days to ten calendar days; requires landlords, or their agents, and tenants to engage in mediation and requires landlords and their agents to delay filing an action for summary possession if a tenant schedules mediation; requires landlords or their agents to provide specific information in the ten-calendar-day notice to tenants; and requires mediation to take place within thirty days from the date that a mediation center makes contact with both the landlord, or the landlord's agent, and tenant. Requires the Judiciary to submit a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 2/4/2028 but preserves the extension of the period for a notice of termination of a rental agreement from five business days to ten calendar days. (CD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat