Bills & Legislation

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.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Provides that people who are blind or deaf are eligible to apply for and receive a disabled paid parking permit.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC MEETINGS.

Requires certain information to appear at the beginning of notices for public meetings, where applicable. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD2)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO REPAIR.

Establishes a right to repair for wheelchairs.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts from the sale of hearing aids received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual. Effective 1/30/2050. Implementation effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

Authorizes the inclusion of language addressing individualized accommodations and supports during emergency situations and evacuations in individualized education programs for students with disabilities. Requires support and guidance from the Department of Education.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

Establishes the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate or private images as a criminal offense. Amends the criteria for an extended term of imprisonment to include an offender whose act of attempting to commit or committing the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate or private images against a minor or vulnerable adult resulted in the victim's death.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Prohibits persons from interfering with another person's access to or from a health care facility or disrupting the normal functioning of a health care facility. Makes violations a petty misdemeanor. Establishes a private right of action for individuals and health care facilities harmed as a result of interference with a health care facility. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action for injunctive or other equitable relief. (SD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY.

Establishes an exemption from mediation in parentage proceedings where there are allegations of domestic abuse. Clarifies the exemption from mediation in divorce proceedings as it relates to domestic abuse.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

By July 1, 2027, 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 and transient accommodations third-party contractors to periodically provide the human trafficking awareness training to certain employees and contract workers and keep records of the training. By January 1, 2028, requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to post signage regarding human trafficking awareness. By October 1, 2027, requires transient accommodations employers and transient accommodations third-party contractors to develop and implement a human trafficking prevention policy that includes procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Enables condominium associations of twenty or fewer units to determine by vote at the association's annual meeting not to undertake a reserve study review.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires condominium associations to provide certain association documents in electronic format to unit owners. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Modifies quorum requirements and repeals condominium association board election proxy voting. Authorizes the Real Estate Commission to take certain actions in response to alleged or actual violations of rules or laws relating to condominium association board elections. Imposes certain duties and obligations on condominium association directors concerning election processes. Clarifies the conditions for a valid condominium association board election. Substitutes certain requirements for written affidavits with requirements for written certification in relation to access to association documents.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits digital navigation applications from providing an alert, indication, or other type of notice to users of the presence of law enforcement personnel or a law enforcement operation at any specific location.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRANTS.

Establishes a 5-year pilot program to authorize the Department of Education to rehire retired teachers and educational officers for hard-to-staff positions.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Shortens the period within which certain judicial proceedings involving environmental assessments and environmental impact statements for actions that propose the use of land for, or construction of, affordable housing or clean energy projects must be initiated. Requires judicial proceedings involving actions that propose the use of land for, or construction of, affordable housing or clean energy projects to be filed directly with the Supreme Court and prohibits the Supreme Court from awarding attorneys' fees in these judicial proceedings.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATOR STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT.

Establishes the Educator Student Loan Repayment Program to provide for the repayment of qualified student loans for certain educators in the State. Appropriates funds.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO RETIREMENT.

Provides elective officers with the choice to be members of the Employees' Retirement System after each election. Repeals the condition that a choice to be excluded from the Employees' Retirement System is irrevocable and such choice may only be made once.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE POWERS OF ARTIFICIAL PERSONS.

Prohibits any state-chartered corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, cooperative, nonprofit, or other association from making expenditures or contributions in connection with elections or ballot measures. Deems any election or ballot measure expenditure or contribution to be ultra vires or void as a matter of law, triggering administrative forfeiture of charter privileges, including limited liability and perpetual duration, until reinstatement. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO VOTING.

Authorizes state agencies to implement automatic voter registration if designated by the Office of Elections. Requires eligible applicants for instruction permits, provisional licenses, driver's licenses, and identification cards to be automatically registered or preregistered to vote unless the applicant opts out.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO BRIBERY.

Establishes heightened penalties for the offense of bribery, under certain circumstances. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MISCONDUCT BY A PUBLIC SERVANT.

Extends the statute of limitations for offenses based on misconduct in office by a public servant to allow prosecution at any time during the defendant's period of public service and up to ten years thereafter. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYST.

Requires the office of the legislative analyst to produce fiscal notes on all fiscal bills. Prohibits a committee from making a decision on a fiscal bill without a fiscal note. Mandates that fiscal notes be made available to the public. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION.

Establishes a Civic Education Grant Program to provide support to public middle and intermediate schools in providing civic education to students through department approved programming. Establishes a Civic Education Trust Fund.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Appropriates funds to: (1) the counties for more voter service centers for in-person voting; (2) the Office of Elections to print and mail the digital voter information guide to all registered voters; and (3) the Office of Elections to support a public outreach and engagement campaign to encourage greater voter participation.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

Establishes an independent complaint and investigation process by requiring that all complaints brought by employees, officers, and trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs be referred directly to an appropriate independent state agency, including the department of the attorney general, the state ethics commission, or the Hawaii civil rights commission. Establishes penalties.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO BRIBERY.

Establishes the offense of failure to report bribery as a misdemeanor. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Provides that any corporation operating under state law shall hold all the corporate powers it previously held; provided that nothing in state law shall be construed to grant or recognize any corporate power to engage in election activity.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYST.

Requires the office of the legislative analyst to produce fiscal notes on all fiscal bills. Prohibits a committee from making a decision on a fiscal bill without a fiscal note. Mandates that fiscal notes be made available to the public. Appropriates funds.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Requires a minimum number of voter service centers open the day of the general election.

Brenton AwaRepublican

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XVI, SECTION 3.5, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH SALARY INCREASE LIMITS FOR JUSTICES AND JUDGES OF ALL STATE COURTS, MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, DEPARTMENT HEADS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND THE DEPUTIES OR ASSISTANTS TO DEPARTMENT HEADS OF THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.

Proposes to amend article XVI, section 3.5 of the Hawaii State Constitution regarding the establishment of salary increase limits for justices and judges of all state courts, members of the Legislature, department heads or executive officers of executive departments, and the deputies or assistants to department heads of executive departments.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO EXCESSIVE SPEEDING.

Amends the statutory standard for excessive speeding.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Prohibits certain entities from purchasing single-family residences in the State of Hawaii. Requires reports and certifications to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes penalties and enforcement authority.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Expands the definition of "eligible business activity" for the purposes of the Enterprise Zone Program to include certain research and development activities and information technology design and production services. Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to declare up to two census tracts in the State that contain an innovation enterprise to be designated as an enterprise zone, subject to the Governor's approval. Requires DBEDT to conduct an in-house comprehensive review, in consultation with the Department of Taxation, of the State Enterprise Zones Program and requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATED TO FIREARMS.

Extends to firearm parts and ammunition certain prohibitions relating to the possession, ownership, or control of firearms and ammunition.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Establishes the preventive maintenance special fund under the Department of Education to be used exclusively for preventive maintenance of public school facilities. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE.

Establishes the Domestic Abuse Offender Registry within the Department of the Attorney General. Appropriates funds.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION SAFETY.

Requires testing of driver license applicants on the dangers that larger motor vehicles present to pedestrians and bicyclists. Requires persons who commit the offense of excessive speeding to pass the driver license examination only if and when those drivers apply for a new driver's license. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS.

Requires a condominium association to make available on an internet site the association's general ledgers, project information form (RR-105C), and statement of accounts at no cost to a unit owner or the unit owner's authorized agent. Reduces the reasonable fee a condominium association may charge to provide copies of association documents from $1 per page to 75 cents per page.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO BUDGET-RELATED REPORTS.

Requires the Governor to ensure that the Governor's program memoranda and variance reports accurately reflect the current responsibilities of certain state programs, address the current and future needs of the State, and align with budget-related submittals.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO REAL ESTATE.

Prohibits real estate brokers from listing or offering the sale or lease of residential real estate to a limited or exclusive group of prospective buyers, real estate brokers, or real estate salespersons, with limited exceptions. Deems the practice an unfair or deceptive trade or practice subject to penalties and grounds for discipline. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit to incentivize significant investment in agricultural production and support the expansion of agricultural crops that take longer to become productive. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 1/1/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Repeals allocation of conveyance tax revenues to the rental housing revolving fund. Temporarily suspends selected state income tax credits retroactively to 1/1/2026.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION.

Specifies that a simple majority of affirmative votes of the members of the Land Use Commission present at a meeting and qualified to vote is required for any boundary amendment.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT.

Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Department of Land and Natural Resources, in consultation with the Department of Health, to submit to the Legislature a report on the plan for the transfer of powers and duties of Kalaupapa Settlement prior to the Regular Session of 2027. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Makes permanent the Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program established pursuant to Act 235, SLH 2025. Renames the program as the Agricultural Enforcement Program and expands the program statewide. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Establishes a new gift card fraud law, under the scope of unfair and deceptive practices law, which requires merchants and third-party gift card resellers to take certain steps to prevent gift card scams. Requires the Office of Consumer Protection to create model notices and issue certain guidelines. Requires the conspicuous provision of information regarding terms and conditions of gift certificates, regardless of whether the cards are sold in person, electronically, or telephonically. Extends the minimum redemption period for paper gift certificates from two to four years. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN FLAG.

Requires cooperative housing corporations, planned community associations, and condominium associations to allow owners to display the Hawaiian flag within the owner's property. Allows reasonable time, place, manner, and size restrictions on Hawaiian flag displays to protect a documented substantial interest of the association or corporation. Authorizes cooperative housing corporations, planned community associations, and condominium associations to impose stricter size restrictions on Hawaiian flag displays or eliminate the flagpole or have its height lowered if the documented substantial interest is related to health or safety. Effective 9/9/2129. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Imposes the manufacturing general excise tax rate on motion picture, digital media, and film productions and repeals the provision in the definition of "qualified production costs" that applied the term to mean costs incurred that are subject to the highest general excise tax rate. Exempts from the general excise tax amounts received by a motion picture project employer from a client company equal to amounts that are disbursed by the motion picture project employer for employee wages, salaries, payroll taxes, insurance premiums, and employment benefits and payments to loan-out companies. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to send notices regarding unfiled, substantially defective, and substantially deficient reports by certified mail. Requires the Commission to specify in substantial defect and deficient report notices the nature of any substantial defect or deficiency. Allows recipients of substantial defect and deficient report notices to correct their reports up to 10 business days after the receipt of the notices. Defines the terms "substantially defective" and "substantially deficient".

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat