Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older.

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.

Establishes and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program under the Department of Human Services to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2027 and 2028.

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires health insurance carriers to honor a patient's written assignment of benefits to a substance use disorder treatment provider. Prohibits health insurance contracts from including anti-assignment clauses that restrict or invalidate a patient's right to assign benefits. Authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules and take enforcement action to ensure compliance. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to publish an annual summary. Allows providers to bring civil actions to compel payment and obtain injunctive relief, damages, interest, and attorneys' fees for violations. Deems violations to be unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Requires insurers to furnish an explanation of benefits to the assigned provider upon request.

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Short form bill relating to tourism.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO MINORS.

Expands the statewide curfew to apply to minors under 18 years of age, instead of under 16. Amends the exceptions to, and penalties for, violations of the statewide curfew. Restricts a county's authority to enact curfew ordinances to only those ordinances that are more stringent than the statewide curfew.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Part I: Extends the Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target to 2075 and establishes an interim target of seventy per cent for 2050. Part II: Maintains the existing Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target but exempts the Department of Transportation and transportation systems and services from the target.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURE.

Short form bill relating to culture.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURE.

Short form bill relating to culture.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ARTS.

Short form bill relating to the arts.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ARTS.

Short form bill relating to the arts.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Establishes a paid family leave program for state and county employees. Authorizes a qualifying employee to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or placement of a child or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition. Requires the employee to agree to subsequently work for the employer for at least 12 weeks upon return to service except under certain conditions.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

Establishes the Office of Legislative Ethics and Accountability as an independent, nonpartisan entity to receive and investigate complaints alleging ethical violations or misconduct by current members or current employees of the state legislature. Appropriates moneys.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT.

Extends child care subsidies to disabled parents or guardians, regardless of their employment status. Requires the Department of Human Services to evaluate caregiver capacity and dependent-care responsibilities when determining eligibility for medicaid home- and community-based services. Requires the Department of Human Services to update its evaluation form and functional assessment protocols related to level of care and at-risk needs determinations. Appropriates funds.

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, repeals the fourteen years and under age limit for health insurance coverage requirements for the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Repeals the maximum coverage benefit limit of $25,000 for applied behavioral analysis services.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO LUNG CANCER SCREENING.

Requires the Department of Health to develop by 12/31/2026, standardized educational materials relating to lung cancer screening and language on lung cancer screening information to be included in signage and written notices to be used by retailers of tobacco products. Beginning 1/1/2027, requires retailers engaged in the retail sale of tobacco products to display signage on lung cancer screening at each point of sale and provide written notice on lung cancer screening to each buyer of a tobacco product.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO HAZARD PAY.

Authorizes differentials in pay for state and county employees who are exposed temporarily to unusually hazard working conditions, under certain conditions.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Prohibits, for sales or offers for sale of new motor vehicles, markups in excess of five per cent of the manufacturer's suggested retail price, markups in excess of $0 when specified in a proclamation declaring a state of emergency, and charges added to rates not based on the underwriting risk or credit characteristics of the consumer when dealers directly finance motor vehicle purchases. Requires dealers to retain records for markups for a period of no less than three years.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO ALLOWANCE ON SERVICE RETIREMENTS.

Includes certain law enforcement administrators and employees of the Department of Law Enforcement as class A members of the pension and retirement systems and provides guidance for the computation of retirement benefits similar to police officers.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE.

Prohibits claims for refunds, reimbursements, or other payments, authorization for which is sought from the Legislature that exceed the time limitations of section 40-68, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from being claimed. Requires the Attorney General to include in the Attorney General's annual report of claims recommended for approval a total dollar amount of possible judgments against the State that have not yet settled. Requires the Attorney General's report to the Legislature describing the claims against the State to include additional information. Requires the Attorney General to submit a report every five years to the Legislature containing further incidents that occurred in an agency that led to a claim.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to contract with a third-party consultant to develop a Climate Protection Plan for delivery to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2029. Establishes a Climate Protection Advisory Committee to assist the third-party consultant. Appropriates funds.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Requires the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to notify an injured employee or their dependents of benefits to which they may be entitled. Specifies notification requirements. Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide information regarding nonstatutory programs and benefits offered to injured employees and their families by nonprofit organizations.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Subjects hosts of digital financial asset transaction kiosks to civil penalties for acts of fraud committed through the use of the digital financial asset transaction kiosk located on the host's premises. Applies to contracts to host digital financial asset transaction kiosks that are entered into on or after the effective date of this Act. Beginning 7/1/2027, applies to contracts to host digital financial asset transaction kiosks that are in effect as of the day before the effective date of this Act.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENTAL DISCRIMINATION.

Allows the court to award attorneys' fees to a prevailing party in an action relating to discriminatory practices in a rental transaction based on source of income.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO NOTARIES PUBLIC.

Requires the Bureau of Conveyances to void any recorded instrument that was fraudulently notarized when attested to by the purported notary public. Requires the Bureau of Conveyance to allow title holders to suspend additional recordings on their title, unless given prior authorization by the title holder, subject to certain limitations.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.

Requires financial institutions to establish policies for identifying financial exploitation and the training of employees. Establishes procedures for reporting suspected financial exploitation. Requires financial institutions to delay transactions, and allows freezes on assets, when there is suspected financial exploitation. Provides immunity from liability for financial institutions for any action, determination, omission, or practice related to this Act.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Amends repeat offender sentencing provisions to allow sentencing courts, under certain circumstances, to sentence defendants in class C felony cases to probation with appropriate terms and conditions.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST BANA PACIFIC INC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Bana Pacific Inc. in constructing a biogas production facility.

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO LEGALIZE THE ADULT USE OF CANNABIS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize individuals aged twenty-one and older to use and possess a personal-use amount of cannabis. Requires the Legislature to enact laws governing the use, manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, regulation, and taxation of cannabis within the State.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM.

Requires only selected redemption centers to send monthly or semi-annual distribution reports and supporting records to the Deposit Beverage Container Program. Repeals the requirement that all deposit beverage distributors develop and submit an internal control process to the Deposit Beverage Container Program and obtain independent audits for years ending in an odd number.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FACILITIES.

Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility and Convention Center Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived from advertising or marketing in or on the Stadium Facility or Convention Center Facility to be deposited into the appropriate special fund of the facility. Authorizes the display of the name of any entity that leased the naming rights to a stadium operated by the Stadium Authority on the exterior of the stadium. Exempts concessions within the stadium facility and convention center from chapter 102, HRS.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND.

Allows impasses and disputes relating to the amounts of State and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to be resolved by arbitration. Repeals the prohibition against strikes by members of bargaining units on the issue of the amounts of State and county contributions to the Trust Fund.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Short form bill relating to tourism.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

Requires the State, Legislature, and counties to amend rules and policies to ensure that certain employees can transfer accrued vacation and sick leaves if rehired by the State or a county within one calendar year of separation. Extends the allowable break in service for purposes of determining certain state and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund from ninety calendar days to one full year.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL IMPORTATION.

Requires, as a condition of entry into the State, documentation verifying that any dog or cat imported into the State has been surgically sterilized, subject to certain exemptions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a breeder registry and adopt rules.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Short form bill relating to the state budget.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS.

Short form bill relating to non-general funds.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FINANCES.

Short form bill relating to state finances.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Beginning 10/1/2026, prohibits digital financial asset transaction kiosks from allowing any two customers from conducting transactions with the same digital financial asset wallet address and requires operators to provide full refunds under certain circumstances.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

Repeals existing law that preempted local ordinances or regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices and nullified and voided any conflicting local laws and regulations. Allows counties to adopt ordinances that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices that do not conflict with and are more stringent than the state law that govern smoking.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO LABOR.

Short form bill relating to labor.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER.

Specifies that the Chief Election office who passes the standard state probationary period may only be terminated for cause.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Short form bill relating to collective bargaining.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE WORKERS.

Short form bill relating to state workers.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIME.

Specifies that the penalty for sex trafficking shall be payment of a fine of no less than $200,000 but no more than $500,000, and a definite term of imprisonment of up to 20 years without the possibility of a suspended sentence, probation, or parole. Provides that consent to sexual conduct is not a defense. Defines "sexual conduct". Specifies that a minor who commits an offense under section 712-1207(1)(a), HRS, shall be guilty of a violation instead of a petty misdemeanor. Provides that a person who reports that the person is a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability for an offense involving sex trafficking or prostitution. Increases the penalties for commercial sexual exploitation of a minor. Requires DHS to implement services and programs for survivors and training for law enforcement. Appropriates funds. Requires annual report.

David Alcos IIIRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

For taxable years beginning 1/1/2026, establishes a tiered nonrefundable tax credit for qualified taxpayer insurers that offer one or more federally qualified health savings account‑eligible high deductible health plans in the State, under certain conditions, and increasing the tax credit to incentivize more plans being written in rural medically underserved areas of the State. Requires qualified taxpayer insurers to match up to a certain amount of a policyholder's first-time contribution into a health savings account. Sunsets 12/31/2030.

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS.

Requires that an environmental assessment be conducted and an environmental impact statement be prepared for any proposed use within historic properties considered significant or recognized as a traditional cultural property.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE PLANS FOR WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, to establish and implement a five-year voluntary Nontraditional Workforce Portable Health Care Benefit Plan Pilot Program that offers high deductible health plans or catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers who are ineligible for health benefits provided by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund or prepaid health care plans under the Prepaid Health Care Act. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat