Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to revitalize and enhance the agricultural statistics program to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO FERAL ANIMALS.

Appropriates funds to the City and County of Honolulu for the expansion of the feral chicken program and the Vector Control Branch of the Department of Health for a statewide education campaign for the feeding of feral animals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

For policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2025, 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 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO THE USE OF INTOXICANTS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE.

Lowers the blood alcohol concentration threshold for driving while under the influence of an intoxicant. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO RETIRANTS.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as an investigator in a position identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or Department of the Attorney General as a labor shortage or difficult—to-fill position, subject to certain conditions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction to include in the director's annual report to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as investigators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand the sewer network and lines within and throughout the Keaukaha homestead. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC LAND TRUST WORKING GROUP.

Appropriates moneys to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to facilitate the hiring of necessary staff and the purchase of equipment and professional services on behalf of the public land trust working group. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO FLOOD MITIGATION.

Establishes a grant program for drainage system maintenance and flood mitigation measures in residential areas, to be administered by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii I Hoa Na Moolelo program, including for the hiring of a graduate assistant, hiring of undergraduate writers, and acquiring a new website domain. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to authorize Medicaid coverage through the Children's Health Insurance Program to income-qualified pregnant persons and children regardless of immigration status. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920, AS AMENDED.

Increases the limit of the State's liability for moneys borrowed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands or loans made to lessees that are guaranteed by the Department from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement negotiated for Bargaining Unit (5) and subject to the availability of funds, provides annual salary step increases for public school teachers who have completed a year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO ENDEMIC PLANTS.

Requires the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish an endemic plant seed bank pilot program to preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to Hawaii. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates moneys to the Department of Accounting and General Services for the replacement and relocation of the Oahu Community Correctional Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF NON-AGRICULTURAL PARK LANDS.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer certain public lands for agricultural use to the Department of Agriculture without approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Agriculture. Requires the Department of Agriculture, upon approval of the Board of Agriculture, to accept the transfer of and manage certain qualifying non-agricultural park lands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the University of Hawaii System to collect, analyze, and publicly report certain graduate outcome data. Requires and appropriates funds for the development and maintenance of a graduate outcomes dashboard. Appropriates funds for positions within the University of Hawaii's Office of the Vice President of Academic Strategy. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO LANDLORD-TENANT DISPUTES.

Requires the Judiciary to contract for legal services for residential tenants in actions or proceedings for possession under certain circumstances. Authorizes attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide legal services to residential tenants. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Removes from the definition of "public lands" lands set aside by the Governor to the counties for the purpose of affordable housing. Specifies that lands set aside by the Governor to the counties for affordable housing require legislative approval for the sale or gift of such lands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Establishes an advisory council within the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to advise on environmental and cultural practices within specific developments. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires that all schools develop plans to execute mental health check-ins with their students grades six through twelve. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes DLE to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering. (SD2)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Establishes the Geothermal Revolving Fund for loans for water well development for geophysical investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to adopt rules governing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Department of Human Resources Development, in collaboration with various state and county agencies, to establish a Transportation Demand Management Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Applies the existing framework regulating motor carriers onto transportation network companies. Repeals the chapter regulating transportation network companies. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

Prohibits pedestrians from walking along the roadway of an interstate highway, an auxiliary interstate highway, or certain state highways except while conducting authorized first responder duties or highway maintenance duties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY.

Establishes an exemption from mediation in paternity proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO CERTIFIED CAREGIVERS.

Lowers the minimum age for certified caregivers for adult foster homes from twenty-one to eighteen. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL.

Appropriates funds for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands across Hawaii. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

Establishes factors under which officers may, without warrant, arrest and detain persons for petty misdemeanors and violations. Requires officers to record the factors that justified the warrantless arrest. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO DIGITAL FINANCIAL ASSET.

Imposes a daily maximum of $1,000 on transactions through a digital financial asset transaction kiosk. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PRETRIAL RELEASE.

Requires bail to be set in an amount that the defendant can afford based on certain factors. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

Establishes a Rehabilitation and Re-entry Services Task Force. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires each county, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation, to establish a Summer Streets Pilot Program that closes vehicular traffic and repurposes roads for pedestrian and cyclist use, outdoor events, and other community-driven activities. Requires each county to submit an initial proposal to the Director of Transportation. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals on 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Establishes the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate all aspects of the cannabis plant. Beginning 1/1/2026, legalizes the personal adult use of cannabis. Establishes taxes on the retail sale of adult-use cannabis and the sale of medical cannabis. Adds new traffic offenses relating to the consumption or possession of marijuana or marijuana concentrate. Makes conforming amendments related to the legalization of personal adult use of cannabis. Beginning 1/1/2026, decriminalizes certain drug offenses related to marijuana and marijuana concentrate. Transfers the personnel and assets of the Department of Health and assets of the Department of Agriculture relating to cannabis to the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office. Establishes various positions within state entities to regulate the personal adult use of cannabis. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.

Allows a party aggrieved by the judgment of a circuit court on a minimum term order to appeal to the Intermediate Appellate Court. Requires prisoners to be represented by counsel in any petition challenging the minimum term proceedings. Requires the Supreme Court to establish rules. Establishes grounds for challenging a minimum term order. Appropriates funds. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for agricultural biosecurity and the prevention, detection, and control of invasive species in Maui County. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

Requires the counties to adopt ordinances for the regulation of retention and detention ponds. Requires the counties to conduct a survey of existing retention and detention ponds and make a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the counties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER SAFETY.

Requires, and appropriates funds for, the Department of Education to establish a standards-based Water Safety Education Pilot Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Requires a bidder and their subcontractors for certain public works construction contracts to utilize apprentices if the bidder receives a bidding advantage for being a party to an apprenticeship agreement registered with the State at the time of general bidding and is awarded the contract. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER COMPENSATION.

Recognizes prior teaching experience at an equal salary rating for teachers entering or reentering into the service of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Phases in a ban on state departments and administratively attached agencies from purchasing lei that contain plant material grown and harvested outside the State. (SD1)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes a Teacher Workforce Housing Stipend Program to support teacher retention at public and charter schools classified as hard-to-staff. Requires reports to the Legislature. Amends the purpose and uses of the Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Plant-based Building Materials Working Group to study and report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO CONTROLLED-ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for the development of a controlled-environment agriculture research and demonstration facility at the Magoon research and teaching site in Manoa, Oahu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT.

Excludes from the definition of "development" used for purposes of coastal zone management the reconstruction of certain structures that were damaged or destroyed in a disaster proclaimed to be a state of emergency or local state of emergency, under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat