Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide counties with an opportunity to comment on certain housing development projects. Prohibits the legislative body of a county from imposing stricter conditions than the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, stricter area median income requirements, or a reduction in fee waivers to housing development proposals that would increase the cost of the project. (CD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires condominium associations to provide electronic copies of their governing documents, as amended or restated, to unit owners or their authorized agents, upon request, at no cost. Repeals the authority of condominium associations to charge a reasonable fee for administrative costs associated with the handling of a request for association documents. (CD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO DATA SHARING.

Establishes a Data Sharing and Governance Working Group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD.

Authorizes the payment of allowances for TRICARE, TRICARE Dental Program, and vision coverage to all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the Hawaii National Guard ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. (CD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

Increases the penalties imposed on individuals convicted for violations of temporary restraining orders and orders for protection. Clarifies that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine for violating a domestic abuse protective order if the court makes an on-the-record determination that the defendant is or will be unable to pay the fine. Specifies that any conviction for violation of a temporary restraining order issued under the same judicial case number as an order for protection shall be treated as a prior violation of an order for protection. Clarifies when the court may suspend certain jail sentences for violations of domestic abuse protective orders. (HD2)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

Establishes safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance. (CD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO THE EXAMINATION OF CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.

Establishes the amount of compensation for private-sector examiners who evaluate a criminal defendant's fitness to proceed or penal responsibility in a legal case. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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 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. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires the Department of Budget and Finance to enter into step-in agreements for payment obligations arising under certain power purchase agreements. Establishes the Power Purchase Costs Trust Fund. Establishes that revenues from on-bill charges for power purchase agreements and money from a surcharge supporting a reserve account shall be held in trust by the Department of Budget and Finance, and that independent power producers shall hold a beneficial interest in the revenues to the extent of the amounts owed under the covered power purchase agreements. Appoints, authorizes, and empowers the electric utility to serve as the billing, collection, and payment agent of the Department of Budget and Finance in the service of performing step-in agreements. (CD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the temporary Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. Clarifies, creates, and strengthens laws regarding crimes and violations related to agriculture or agricultural lands. Establishes clear distinctions between administrative and criminal penalties. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

Establishes the official designation of the East-West Center as the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc., and exempts state fund appropriations to the East-West Center from chapter 42F, HRS. Renames the Hawaii Sister-State Committee to the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission and amends its functions and membership. Requires the Office of International Affairs to provide support to the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission. Expands the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's authority to establish out-of-state offices to include out-of-state facilities to support sister-state or province partnerships and other partnerships that promote and enrich the people, cultures, environments, and economies of the State and its international partners, generate revenue for the State, and buy property. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Exempts all positions filled by the Hawaii Tourism Authority within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from the state civil service law. Amends the definition of "convention center facility" for purposes of chapter 201B, HRS, to clarify that the facilities must reflect a Hawaii sense of place. Designates the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors (Board) as an advisory board. Removes the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism as a member of the Board. Requires a member of the Board to represent a tourism-impacted entity. Provides that the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives each appoints a member of the Board. Makes the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority a position appointed by the Board, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to report to the Governor. Amends the eligibility requirements to serve on the Board. Provides that the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority's length of term of service shall be set by written contract by the Board. (CD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO PARENTAGE.

Repeals the Uniform Parentage Act of 1973 and updates laws relating to parentage, including enacting portions of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Department of Health to submit annual reports to the Legislature on emergency transportations and assisted community treatment petitions and orders, based on information provided by service providers and the Department of the Attorney General. Clarifies the procedures for emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization for individuals who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse who are imminently dangerous to self or others. Requires treatment providers to provide relevant information to the Attorney General for purposes of preparing an assisted community treatment petition. Amends the procedures for involuntary hospitalizations and assisted community treatment petitions. Clarifies the circumstances under which a subject of an assisted community treatment order can be administered medication over objection. Allows a single psychiatrist, rather than a panel of three, to provide administrative authorization for medical treatment over the objection of a patient who is in the custody of the Director of Health and in a psychiatric facility. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLE TITLE TRANSFERS.

Clarifies that proof that a transferor has filed required notice forms with the County Director of Finance serves as a complete defense to any action brought against the transferor for an act or omission, civil or criminal, arising from the use, operation, or abandonment of the vehicle by another person. Requires, by 7/1/2026, the Judiciary to determine whether new forms or modification of the Judiciary's website is necessary to assist vehicle transferors and, if so, to create the forms or modify the website. (CD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.

Repeals the exemption of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority from the State's Employees' Retirement System. Requires a retirant returning to service as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to re-enroll into the Employees' Retirement System. (CD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC UTILITIES.

Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to appoint a receiver to take temporary action necessary to assure continued adequate electric services from failing regulated investor-owned electric utilities. Requires an appointed receiver to recognize and maintain the terms and conditions of any existing collective bargaining agreement and prohibits the receiver from inducing or causing a reduction in force, or terminating a covered employee, other than for a cause consistent with any collective bargaining agreement. (CD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

Clarifies and updates the responsibilities of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to reflect the current mental health systems of care that address the mental health needs of children and adolescents in the State. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HARM REDUCTION.

Amends the distribution system of sterile needles and syringes under the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program from a one-to-one exchange system to a needs-based distribution system. Authorizes non-injection drug user participation in the Program. Modifies liability for Program participants, staff, and law enforcement officers. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TRANSITION OF THE OAHU REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FROM THE HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Repeals the requirement to transfer the Oahu Regional Health Care System (Oahu Region) from the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to the Department of Health. Repeals certain changes to the HRS that were made by Act 212, SLH 2021. Requires the Oahu Region and the Department of Health to enter into a formal memorandum of agreement regarding the care of certain psychiatrically stable patients transferred or discharged from the Hawaii State Hospital to an appropriate Oahu Region facility, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Oahu Region to submit a report to the Legislature. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STABILIZATION OF PROPERTY INSURANCE.

Expands the powers of the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and reactivates the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to help stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Establishes the Condominium Loan Program and the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund, to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority on behalf of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, for the purpose of providing financing for essential repairs and deferred maintenance to condominium associations. Abolishes the Condominium Loan Revolving Fund on 6/30/2047. Establishes the Condominium Loan Loss Reserves Program to incentivize lenders to provide loans at competitive rates and terms to allow condominium associations to make necessary maintenance and repairs. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study to develop long-term solutions to help stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Authorizes the issuance of reimbursable general obligation bonds to facilitate the initial issuance of policies to condominium associations. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that nonresidents who claim the refundable earned income tax credit are required to adjust the amount claimed using the ratio of their Hawaii adjusted gross income to federal adjusted gross income. Eliminates the unlimited carryforward on nonrefundable earned income tax credits for tax year 2022.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO UNIVERSAL IMMUNIZATION FUNDING PROGRAM.

Establishes the Universal Immunization Funding Program as a universal funding model for immunization purchases by the Department of Health, to increase statewide access to immunizations for all persons under age sixty-five. Establishes the Universal Immunization Purchase Special Fund, into which fees collected from assessed entities and other sources of funding will be deposited, for purposes of bulk purchasing immunizations and administering the program. Appropriates funds. (CD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Beginning 7/1/2025, requires the Governor to request in the executive budget or supplemental budget that an amount of general funds that approximates the additional Transient Accommodations Tax revenue generated by this Act be expended to advance certain climate change mitigation and tourism projects. Increases the Transient Accommodations Tax rate beginning on 1/1/2026. Assesses the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares. Amends the amount of Transient Accommodation Tax that shall be deposited into the Mass Transit Special Fund. Amends the allowable uses of the Special Land and Development Fund and the portion of Transient Accommodations Tax collections that are allocated to the Special Land and Development Fund. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Amends chapter 88, HRS, to conform to updated required beginning dates and automatic cashout requirements in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INSTALLMENT LOANS.

Clarifies chapter 480J, HRS, regulating installment lenders. Replaces the term "consumer loan" with the defined term "installment loan" for consistency throughout the installment loan chapter. Requires loan maintenance fees to be prorated daily. Allows lenders to charge a convenience fee. Requires paper receipts only for in-person or cash payments and removes consumer names from receipts. Repeals the requirement for lenders to wait three days after a consumer fully repays a loan before issuing a new installment loan. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Amends the procedures and required information for the Department of Land and Natural Resources historic preservation review of proposed state projects, privately owned historic property, and other proposed projects that require entitlement for use. Establishes procedures for the review of transit-oriented development identified by the counties and Hawaii Community Development Authority, or Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. (CD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX APPEALS.

Clarifies that a notice of appeal relating to an appeal of a county tax is not required to be served on the Director of Taxation. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Beginning 7/1/2026, mandates reimbursement for services provided by participating registered pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice by private and public health plans in the State and requires the health plans to recognize pharmacists licensed in the State as participating providers. (CD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO RECYCLING.

Expands the types of electronic devices subject to the Electronic Device Recycling and Recovery Act to include electronic device peripherals and certain legacy devices. Excludes manufacturers of only electronic device peripherals and no other electronic devices. Allows, rather than requires, the Department of Health to determine additional penalties. Requires manufacturers' recycling plans to describe communication efforts with the State and counties to facilitate consumer education efforts. Repeals the requirement that recycling plans be implemented and fully operational by 1/1/2023 in order for manufacturer collaboration authority to apply. Establishes additional manufacturer recycling goals beginning on 1/1/2026 and 1/1/2027. Requires additional information to be included in manufacturers' reports containing information for calendar years 2025, 2026, and 2027. Requires collectors to report certain information regarding recyclers and refurbishers and allows the Department of Health to require submission of bills of lading and recycler receiving reports. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM'S EMPLOYER REPORTING REVIEW.

Adds a year between the review period and the billing due date and changes reporting of review results from the current fiscal year to the previous fiscal year. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Conditions the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle or moped not being equipped with a noisy muffler or exhaust system. Requires rules regarding safety check inspections to ensure that a vehicle or moped is not equipped with a noisy muffler or exhaust system. Suspends, revokes, or refuses renewal of a permit for an official inspection station for repeatedly violating any rule regarding inspecting a noisy muffler or exhaust system within a certain period. Clarifies the types of mufflers that are prohibited. Increases the maximum fine for motor vehicle owners that violate noisy muffler laws. Includes repairing or installing a noisy muffler or exhaust system as a prohibited practice for motor vehicle repair laws. (CD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, (1) repeals the maximum tax rate that may be considered in determining the amount of income tax that must be withheld and the requirement that a standard deduction allowance be treated as if it was denominated as a withholding exemption, and (2) for the purpose of income tax withholding, permits the Director of Taxation to prescribe a standard deduction allowance in an amount more or less than one whole exemption.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO VIRAL HEPATITIS.

Authorizes the Department of Health to establish a Hepatitis Prevention Program. Requires the Department of Health to develop and implement a statewide educational program to inform the public on how to identify and prevent hepatitis and aid in its early diagnosis. Requires the Department of Health to develop a statewide comprehensive hepatitis prevention plan. Repeals outdated provisions related to hepatitis. Appropriates funds and establishes positions for the Hepatitis Prevention Program. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX COLLECTIONS.

Suspends the statute of limitations on collections of income tax, general excise tax, transient accommodations tax, use tax, fuel tax, conveyance tax, and rental motor vehicle, tour vehicle, and car-sharing vehicle surcharge tax during the period an assessment is pending on appeal before the Taxation Board of Review or Tax Appeal Court. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONFORMITY TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

Conforms Hawaii income and estate and generation-skipping transfer tax laws to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended as of December 31, 2024. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAGE AND HOUR LAW.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to issue an order of wage payment violation to employers found to be in violation of the State's Wage and Hour Law. Establishes penalties, enforcement, and appeal procedures. Amends the definition of "wage" to clarify that it means compensation for labor or services rendered by an employee, regardless of how it is calculated. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Repeals the requirement that a portion of the fees collected for certified copies of birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates issued by the Department of Health be deposited to the credit of the general fund. Repeals the Birth Defects Special Fund. Requires a portion of fees collected for issuance of marriage licenses to be deposited into the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Authorizes the Department of Health to impose penalties and take enforcement actions for violations of the medical cannabis laws. Increases the maximum number of qualifying patients a primary caregiver is authorized to care for from one to five patients. Retroactive to 1/1/2025, repeals the prohibition against primary caregivers cultivating medical cannabis for their qualifying patients, and authorizes primary caregivers to cultivate cannabis in an amount not to exceed an adequate supply for the qualifying patient; provided that each location used to cultivate cannabis shall be used to cultivate cannabis for not more than five qualifying patients. Extends for two years the sunset date for the interim rules adopted by the Department of Health and extends for four years the sunset date for the exemption from civil service of personnel hired by, or contracts entered into by, the Department of Health related to the medical cannabis dispensary system. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Appropriates funds for the operating and capital improvement budget of the Executive Branch for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, expands free school meal coverage to students who currently qualify for reduced-price lunch. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, expands free school meal coverage to students whose family income is not more than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT.

Authorizes the Hawaii Medical Board, as a state of principal license, to investigate and request criminal history records of qualified physicians seeking licensure or license renewal through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.

Exempts reconstruction of any lawfully constructed structure that was damaged or destroyed in a disaster proclaimed by the Governor to constitute a state of emergency or a disaster declared pursuant to federal law from the requirements of a special management area minor permit or a special management area use permit under certain conditions. Sunsets 7/1/2028. (CD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Repeals duplicative and potentially confusing penalties for water pollution offenses in section 200-14, HRS, and thereby clarifies that enforcement of criminal water pollution offenses remains under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health, rather than the Department of Land and Natural Resources. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC.

Amends Act 205, SLH 2024, to clarify standards and safeguards in online crowdfunding, including creating separate registration, reporting, and fee requirements that are specific to platform charities and charitable fundraising platforms. Extends the effective date of Act 205 to July 1, 2026. (CD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS.

Updates the Agricultural Loan Program by lowering and fixing interest rates, increasing and standardizing loan limits, and reducing the number of credit denials. Includes food hubs as an eligible entity for Class E loans. Authorizes the Agricultural Loan Program to issue lines of credit. Creates a new class of loans to encourage large scale agriculture of import replacement crops or crops grown for the farm to state program. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PHARMACY.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires pharmacy technicians to be registered with and obtain a certificate of registration issued by the Board of Pharmacy. Imposes a duty on pharmacists-in-charge to report violations by registered pharmacy technicians to the Board of Pharmacy. Specifies that supervising registered pharmacists are responsible for the actions of registered pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns. (CD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat