Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS.

Establishes the universal school meals special fund to accept deposits of Medicaid reimbursements received by the Department of Education.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Authorizes a person intoxicated by alcohol, under the influence of drugs, or incapacitated by substances, including a minor, to voluntarily admit themself to a psychiatric facility or a behavioral health crisis center for an emergency evaluation to determine need for treatment.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS.

Requires condominium maps for lands within an agricultural district to include a letter signed by an appropriate county official or agency certifying that the condominium property regime will conform to county zoning laws. Requires an application for registration of a project in an agricultural district larger than ten acres to include certain additional information. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Adds the penalty of vehicle impoundment to violations of reckless driving and for failure to present a valid driver's license, motor vehicle or liability insurance identification card, or certificate of registration.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATUTORY REVISION: AMENDING OR REPEALING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE HAWAII REVISED STATUTES OR THE SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII FOR THE PURPOSES OF CORRECTING ERRORS AND REFERENCES, CLARIFYING LANGUAGE, OR DELETING OBSOLETE OR UNNECESSARY PROVISIONS.

Amends or repeals various provisions of the HRS or the SLH for the purposes of correcting errors and references, clarifying language, or deleting obsolete or unnecessary provisions.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes geological subsurface characterization activities conducted by a public research institution under certain conditions. Clarifies that boreholes or test holes drilled for the purposes of geological subsurface characterization are distinct from water well exploration and geothermal or mineral exploration. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to designate the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center of the University of Hawaii, or a successor entity, as the repository for data collected from any geological subsurface characterization activity. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the University of Hawaii to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules related to hazardous waste and hazardous waste management for consistency with federal regulations to specify that certain waste products generated by geological subsurface characterization activity are exempt from hazardous waste management requirements.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO FOOD HUBS.

Amends Act 313, SLH 2022, to authorize the use of the GroupGAP Food Safety Certification Program established by the United States Department of Agriculture to qualify a recipient for grant funding under the Food Hub Pilot Program. Appropriates funds.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PARK LEASES.

Repeals the requirement for land covered by an agricultural park lease with a remaining term of fifteen years or less to be located in a county having a population of less than five hundred thousand in order for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend the lease.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to achieve the full funding, including estimated payment increases, of Medicaid home- and community-based services. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION OF AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Program within the Department of Transportation to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates funds.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Authorizes the Superintendent of Education to appoint and set the salaries of certain positions within the Office of Facilities and Operations. Sunsets 6/30/2031.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Clarifies that references to the base amount in section 41, Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall not apply to the tax credit for research activities, and that the tax credit for qualified research expenses may be claimed without regard to expenses in previous years. Increases the annual cap on the total amount of credits that may be certified by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO A REGULAR SESSION REVIEW WORKING GROUP.

Establishes a Regular Session Review Working Group to determine the essential timing and effective framework for a lengthened legislative calendar for election and non-election years. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires report finalization and drafting assistance from the Legislative Reference Bureau. Appropriates moneys.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX CREDIT FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

Restores the provision that makes references to the Internal Revenue Code's base-amount requirement inapplicable to the Research Activities Tax Credit, allowing all qualified research expenses to be claimed without regard to prior-year expenses. Increases the annual cap for the Research Activities Tax Credit.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE.

Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICINE.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine to purchase, or to contract with a third party or third parties in the private sector to purchase and operate, a single-room proton therapy system; provided that the system shall be available to all residents of the State.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases from 70% to 90% the taxation rate on electronic smoking devices and e-liquid sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer after 12/31/2026. Provides for the deposit of the additional tax revenue into the Hawaii cancer research special fund.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PRETRIAL REFORM.

Requires release on recognizance for defendants charged with violations, traffic offenses, nonviolent petty misdemeanors, nonviolent misdemeanors, and nonviolent class C felonies, subject to conditions. Establishes exclusions for specified offenses, threats to public safety, and wilful flight. Requires findings when bail or detention is imposed, ongoing review of continued detention or conditions, and a prompt hearing if bail cannot be posted. Requires prosecutors to notify victims of pretrial decisions.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABINOIDS.

Allows any hemp processor with a permit from the Department of Health to sell certain manufactured hemp products that contain a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than five milligrams per serving. Prohibits the sale of certain manufactured hemp products to any person less than twenty-one years of age. Includes processed floral materials as "manufactured hemp products". Increases the maximum tetrahydrocannabinol concentration for tinctures to five milligrams per serving.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CORAL REEF RESILIENCE.

Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to: (1) manage and administer aquatic life and resources, with the highest priority being to protect, restore, and maintain ecosystem integrity, using the best scientific data available; (2) make plans by certain dates for the restoration of reef ecosystems and indigenous species to a level that is not less than an unspecified per cent of their natural biomass potential; and (3) make a plan by 7/1/2027 for the expansion of live coral cover at not less than twenty-five per cent on reefs that have historically supported naturally occurring live coral cover. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Amends the Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit to remove language limiting access only to those practicing in primary care, to add licensed dietitians, physician assistants, and social workers as eligible preceptors and students, and to include residency and followship programs. Adds the Director of Health and a representative of residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Restricts civil asset forfeiture to cases involving the commission of a felony offense where the property owner has been convicted of an underlying felony offense. Directs forfeiture proceeds to the general fund. Amends the allowable expenses for moneys in the criminal forfeiture fund. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Amends the deadline for the Attorney General to report to the Legislature on the use of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Limits the transfer of certain forfeiture property to federal agencies. Establishes records requirements.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURE.

Establishes Immigrants Day as a state holiday that is held annually on October 28. Changes Statehood Day from a state holiday to a day of recognition.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES.

Establishes a regulatory framework for continuing care retirement communities and continuing care at home programs. Establishes the Continuing Care Advisory Committee.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Exempts the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs from the general excise tax. Removes the state income tax on unemployment compensation benefits. Doubles the standard deduction for individuals earning less than $100,000 and joint returns earning less than $200,000. Repeals the incremental increases on standard income tax deduction amounts. Increases the minimum income threshold and exemption amount for the low-income household renters' income tax credit. Removes the tax liability for the first $100,000 of individual income earned.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO LABOR DAY.

Establishes a Labor Day tax credit for employers of construction workers. Requires any employer of a construction worker to pay the construction worker at a rate that is twice the worker's regular rate of pay for any work performed on Labor Day.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO DRUGS FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

Requires the Department of Human Services to provide Medicaid and Medicare part D prescription drug program recipients with coverage of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs for weight loss. Appropriates funds.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE LICENSURE WAIVERS.

Authorizes the waiver of certain healthcare worker licensure requirements during emergencies. Requires the Department of Health to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires home schooled students to participate in certain annual in person tests at the public school that the student would otherwise be required to attend.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

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.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO MARIJUANA.

Changes from 1 ounce to 30 grams the minimum amount of marijuana that constitutes the offense of promoting a detrimental drug in the second degree. Increases from 3 grams or less to 15 grams or less the amount of marijuana that constitutes the offense of promoting a detrimental drug in the third degree.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF WATER SAFETY AND DROWNING PREVENTION.

Establishes the Department of Water Safety and Drowning Prevention. Establishes the position of Director of Water Safety and Drowning Prevention. Establishes the position of Deputy Director of Water Safety and Drowning Prevention. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Requires individuals to obtain a license to transport fireworks. Prohibits the transportation or production of fireworks without a valid license. Establishes a minimum fine of $10,000 for the importation, storage, transport, distribution, or production of fireworks without a valid license. Clarifies that certain assets are subject to forfeiture for violations of section 132D‑14(a)(1), HRS. Requires any person who reports information leading directly to a forfeiture for violations of section 132D‑14(a)(1), HRS, to receive fifty per cent of the total value of the assets subject to forfeiture.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES.

Requires certain notice and information to be provided to debtors in consumer debt collection claims to help protect consumers and increase fairness.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

Appropriates moneys to the State Public Charter School Commission for prekindergarten-only public charter schools.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Establishes and appropriates funds for a working group within the State Building Code Council to develop proposals for an off-site construction program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO DIGITAL ASSETS.

Authorizes digital asset banking in the State. Requires the Commissioner of Financial Institutions to adopt and enforce regulations for digital asset banking. Effective 9/1/2026.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.

Requires certain employers to provide unpaid and paid leave of absence for victims of workplace violence or threat of workplace violence. Expands the type of certification an employee may provide to an employer if the leave exceeds five days per calendar year.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Requires operators of digital asset kiosks to have requisite licenses or registrations; make annual reports to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; limit transaction amounts for new consumers; provide disclosures, receipts, and customer service contact information to all consumers; and cooperate with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and applicable law enforcement agencies in the investigation of fraudulent transactions. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to investigate and take enforcement actions against operators. Extends joint liability to businesses or establishments wherein digital asset kiosks are located that are determined to have processed a fraudulent transaction or a transaction for which an operator is found to be liable.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO GENETIC INFORMATION.

Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules establishing privacy requirements for direct-to-consumer genetic testing in the State. Requires the Department's rules to specify whether consumers' genetic information may be used for purposes of investigative genetic genealogy.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires condominium association directors and officers to complete certain educational requirements within ninety days of election or appointment. Establishes a regulatory framework for the licensure of condominium association managers.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE REVOCATION.

Clarifies an administrative driver's license revocation takes automatic effect thirty days after a Notice of Administrative Revocation that the revocation remains in effect until the Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office affirms or rescinds the administrative revocation. Clarifies review timelines for the administrative review and hearing processes. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to rehabilitate, remodel, renovate, and repair housing units, including exterior repairs. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURAL EDUCATION.

Establishes a Cultural Training Pilot Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to be administered by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation for all commercial use permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor. Requires DOBOR to partner with an organization identified by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in Native Hawaiian culture and place-based history to teach a cultural training course to educate commercial use permit holders and applicants for commercial use permits on the cultural and historic significance of the area. Requires existing commercial use permit holders and applicants to undergo cultural training. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Education and public charter schools to take certain steps regarding incidents of harassment and implement procedures for handling harassment of educational workers. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Hawaii Micro-Lending Credit Enhancement Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to expand micro-lending capacity by providing state‑funded loan loss reserves or other credit enhancement that absorbs first losses on qualified micro-loans made by participating lenders to Hawaii small businesses. Allows borrower fees and state matching contributions to capitalize lender-held loan loss reserve accounts. Establishes the Hawaii Micro-Lending Credit Enhancement Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat