Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO DEMENTIA.

Establishes the Hanai Memory Network Program within the Executive Office on Aging to create a network of dementia care specialists and support systems to assist individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS.

Establishes the Community Behavioral Health Clinics Certifying Office to certify and decertify community behavioral health clinics and provide technical assistance for clinics seeking certification. Establishes the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Oversight Board. Amends the composition of the Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances and State Council on Mental Health to include a member from the Community Behavioral Health Clinics Certifying Office. Establishes decertification process. Limits state liability. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

For policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2026, 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 1/1/2050. (SD2)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO PROTECTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS.

Establishes statewide standards for state and county agencies, officers, employees, and contractors, to limit participation in civil immigration enforcement in or near protected community locations. By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies, provide annual staff training, and maintain data privacy protections. Appropriates funds for implementation by the Attorney General. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Prohibits passenger ropeways on public property in all land use districts, with an exemption for a government entity or official government government-recognized corporation or nonprofit organization, subject to legislative approval. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Part I: Requires the Department of Education and state public charter schools to take certain steps to better address the harassment of educational workers, including sports officials. Authorizes the Attorney General to assist educational workers, including sports officials at department of education or public charter school sporting events, who have been subject to harassment or intentional bodily injury in obtaining a temporary restraining order. Part II: Clarifies that a sports official's duties cover sports events at public schools and private schools. Makes intentional or knowing bodily injury of an educational worker or a sports official engaged in the lawful discharge of their duties a class C felony for the first offense and a class B felony for a second or subsequent offense within ten years. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Provides annual salary step increases for public schools and public charter school teachers who have completed one year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements, if negotiated into a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 89-9, HRS, and subject to funds appropriated by the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to implement dyslexia sensitive linguistically appropriate universal screenings and evidence-based interventions, offer professional development on structured literacy and evidenced-based interventions, and support pre-teacher programs in training candidates in structured literacy instruction. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to include the instruction of braille and provision of braille instructional materials under certain circumstances; provide braille literacy support services; cooperate with the Department of Human Services when requested to submit information necessary to maintain a register of the blind in the State; provide comprehensive information about braille literacy services, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services, including educational programming options; and participate in the development of section 504 plans and individualized education programs. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Specifies that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans established by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust to provide coverage for clinical preventive services. Authorizes the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations. Clarifies that, for coverage for child health supervision services, the prevailing medical standards include recommendations by the Department of Health. Specifies that coverage for clinical preventive services shall not be denied on the basis of medical necessity or subject to prior authorization. Specifies that a registered pharmacist may order a vaccine in accordance with the recommendations from the Department of Health. Exempts this measure from an Auditor impact assessment report. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that, for tax credits issued after 7/1/2026, a partner or member that is a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any taxpayer. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, until 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Establishes a Molokai Biosecurity Advisory Board. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, with the advice of the Advisory Board, to develop a Molokai Biosecurity Plan to prevent the spread of invasive species found elsewhere in the State to the island of Molokai. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

Extends for five years certain provisions from Act 19, SLH 2020, and Act 238, SLH 2021, relating to abuse of family or household members, including establishing a petty misdemeanor offense of abuse of family or household members, clarifying penalties for violations, and allowing a deferred acceptance of guilty plea for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of family or household members offenses. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

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 or transient accommodations third-party contractors to periodically provide the human trafficking awareness training to certain employees and contract workers, keep records of the training, post signage, and develop and implement a human trafficking prevention policy that includes procedures for the reporting of suspected human trafficking. Establishes penalties. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to adopt rules. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings and treatment for certain persons. Requires state-funded coverage for follow-up treatment for colorectal cancer for certain persons. Requires coverage to include a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive test result. Specifies that coverage is not subject to a deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirements. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII CANCER CENTER.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center's Hawaii Tumor Registry. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes within the Department of Health a one-year KupunAloha pilot program to provide in-home health care and support services to eligible participants who do not otherwise qualify for government assistance for these services. Appropriates funds for the program. Pilot program sunsets 6/30/27. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires and appropriates funds for the State Health Planning and Development Agency to develop and publish a state plan on hearing loss. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO DEMENTIA.

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, fire chiefs, Law Enforcement Standards Board, and Department of Health to make available at least one hour of dementia‑specific training for first responders, including law enforcement officers, fire first responders, and emergency medical services personnel. Requires the Executive Office on Aging to take certain steps when reviewing and recommending dementia-specific training curricula. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO LOVE MY LIBRARY DAY.

Designates the first Friday in February of each year as "Love My Library Day" in the State. (SD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Requires all public schools in the State to prohibit high-speed electric devices on public school campuses. Prohibits electric bicycles on elementary and middle or intermediate school campuses. Authorizes public high schools to require county registration and decals for any electric bicycle brought onto its premises and deny entry or require parent retrieval for an unregistered electric bicycle. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines "electric bicycle" in place of "low-speed electric bicycle". Authorizes the seizure of non-road-legal, nonconforming electric bicycles and high-speed electric devices. Defines "electric micro-mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters. Prohibits a person under the age of sixteen from operating a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle without direct supervision. Authorizes a person to ride an electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes. Substitutes the term "motor scooter" with the term "motor-driven cycle". Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to administer a statewide program for certification of active intelligent speed assistance systems and select a vendor for the installation and maintenance of systems. Limits the civil liability of motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and retailers for active intelligent speed assistance systems. Makes circumventing or tampering with an active intelligent speed assistance system a misdemeanor. Allows the Judiciary to impose the installation of active intelligent speed assistance systems as an additional penalty and as part of a license suspension or revocation for repeat offenders of certain traffic violations. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO HABITUAL VIOLENT CRIME.

Requires the Attorney General, in consultation with Criminal Justice Research Institute, to submit ongoing annual reports to the Legislature. Amends Act 213, SLH 2024, by requiring the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit a one-time report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2031 and extending its sunset date to 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ADOPTIONS.

Adds the requirement that a written consent to adoption be notarized.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CERTIORARI REVIEW BY THE HAWAII SUPREME COURT.

Establishes a fixed disposition deadline requiring the Supreme Court to decide an application for certiorari within 60 days after the application is filed. Applies prospectively to cases in which the judgment or dismissal order of the Intermediate Court of Appeals was filed on or after the effective date of this Act.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE ORDERS FOR PROTECTION.

Removes the requirement that requests to withhold from public inspection the petition record of a denied temporary restraining order or denied protective order be made orally.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Appropriates supplemental funds for the Judiciary for the fiscal biennium beginning 7/1/2025 and ending 6/30/2027. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO VACANCIES.

Amends the processes for addressing party candidate and state senator vacancies.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Part I: Prohibits certain harmful uses of and mandates disclosure for realistic digital imitations generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Establishes certain exemptions. Provides for civil actions and civil remedies for individuals injured by unauthorized AI-generated realistic digital imitations. Part II: Requires the disclosure of the use of synthetic performers in advertising. Establishes civil fines. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Mike LeeDemocrat

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 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 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 PRETRIAL RELEASE.

Requires certain factors to be considered when determining a defendant's financial ability to afford bail. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Establishes a 3-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program within the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to assist individuals who have lost Medicaid health insurance coverage and lack access to other health insurance options. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to issue premium subsidies in certain circumstances. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Excludes drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

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 HEALTH CARE.

Expands the definitions of "preceptor" and "volunteer‑based supervised clinical training rotation" applicable to the Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit to improve accessibility for providers to receive income tax credits for acting as preceptors, including removing "primary care" from the criteria to qualify as a preceptor. Adds physician assistants, dietitians, and social workers to the list of preceptors and eligible students. Expands eligibility for the tax credit to include accredited residency programs that require preceptor support. Adds the Director of Health and representatives 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. (SD2)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCE.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience for the development of its human and community resilience institute. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

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 COMPASSIONATE RELEASE.

Establishes a protocol for compassionate release for certain ill or seriously debilitated incarcerated persons. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Establishes limits on transactions through digital financial asset transaction kiosks. Requires operators of digital financial asset transaction kiosks to use blockchain analytics and tracing software to prevent fraud; make certain disclosures; provide receipts to customers; provide full refunds under certain circumstances; hold new customer transactions for a period of at least forty-eight hours; and provide live customer service and a dedicated communications line for the Attorney General, Office of Consumer Protection, Department of Law Enforcement, and county police departments. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO INDEBTEDNESS TO THE STATE.

Amends the amount that a disbursing officer may deduct from an employee's salary, wage, or compensation based on the employee's gross income. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Amends the collective bargaining negotiation procedure on the repricing of classes within a bargaining unit for public employees. Establishes an impasse procedure to be applied when an employer fails to initiate the negotiation or the parties fail to reach an agreement within certain timeframes. Repeals existing law that requires a different impasse procedure to apply in those situations. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CAFETERIA PLANS.

Requires the maximum contribution and carryover amounts for a public service flexible spending account plan to be set annually in accordance with the maximum amounts allowed under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.

Requires the State or a county to reimburse an officer or employee for work-related travel costs that the officer or employee loaned to the State or a county within thirty calendar days of submitting an approved statement of completed travel. Requires the State or a county to pay interest on a loan not reimbursed within thirty calendar days until the loan is fully reimbursed. Obligates an officer or employee to request a complete refund from the travel vendor for travel not taken for good cause. Entitles an officer or employee to reimbursement from the State or a county when a travel vendor offers a partial refund or no refund. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

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 (EUTF) 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 EUTF. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INTIMATE IMAGES.

Enacts the Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act (Modified). Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Prohibits the Land Use Commission from imposing exactions from a residential development for educational purposes. Repeals school impact fees. Abolishes school impact fee subaccounts within the School Facilities Special Fund and transfers unencumbered balances to the School Facilities Special Fund. Abolishes fair share contribution and impact fee accounts within the DOE Donations – Facilities Trust and transfers unencumbered balances to the School Facilities Special Fund. Provides that any existing educational contribution agreements executed with the Department of Education or School Facilities Authority before the repeal of school impact fees shall remain in effect. Transfers existing educational contribution agreements from the Department of Education to the School Facilities Authority. Repeals a requirement for the School Facilities Authority to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds from the School Facilities Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certain certificate of occupancy requirements for purposes of expedited permits. Requires state or county inspectors to inspect all projects with expedited permits. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat