Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO SOLAR ENERGY.

Defines and provides requirements for the use of a portable solar generation device. Provides that electric utility companies are not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device. Requires each portable solar generation device to be registered with the Public Utilities Commission. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices, at no cost to the customer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT.

Establishes the procedure that a circuit court shall follow upon the reversal or vacation of an individual's judgment of conviction on grounds consistent with innocence, and where the charges were dismissed. Requires the State to pay advance compensation to any petitioner who was convicted in a court of the State, imprisoned for at least one year, and whose judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated, or was pardoned, on grounds consistent with innocence. Requires the Comptroller to issue a warrant for payment of advance compensation to a petitioner. Requires the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, to contract with a community-based agency to assign a case manager to a petitioner upon the petitioner's release. Requires the State to provide medical coverage to a person for a certain duration upon the reversal or vacation of the person's judgment of conviction on grounds consistent with innocence and where the charges were dismissed. Provides that the Judiciary and Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall retain jurisdiction over the person for the purposes of effectuating this process. Authorizes the State to seek reimbursement from the applicable county for any losses incurred by the State pursuant to this process. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Clarifies eligibility to seek compensation for individuals whose judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated, or who were pardoned, on grounds consistent with innocence, and where the charges were dismissed. Shifts the burden of proof to the State to prove by a preponderance of evidence that the reversal or vacation of the judgment of conviction for a petitioner, or the pardoning of the petitioner, was inconsistent with innocence. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

Establishes factors under which officers may arrest and detain persons without a warrant for petty misdemeanors and violations, and requires officers to document the justification for the arrests. Amends the circumstances under which officers may issue citations in lieu of arrest. Requires officers to issue citations in lieu of arrest for certain petty misdemeanors and violations, unless public safety or flight risks are present or the alleged offense involves operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant or the abuse of family or household members. Requires the Judiciary to promulgate a standardized citation form and updates the required information for citations. Requires citations be visible on an offender's criminal record. Requires the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit reports. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to be administered by 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 reports to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HELMETS.

Increases the age of an individual who is required to wear a helmet for electric foot scooters and bicycles. Prohibits a person from operating any class of electric bicycle or electronic micro-mobility device unless that person wears a helmet. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CULTURAL TRUST.

Establishes the Hawaii Cultural Trust within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes an income tax credit for contributions made to both the Hawaii Cultural Trust and at least one qualified Hawaii cultural organization, under certain conditions. Establishes a special number plate for motor vehicles to support the Hawaii Cultural Trust. Applies the income tax credit to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the income eligibility limit and credit amount per exemption claimed for the income tax credit for low-income household renters. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires each county to implement fare-free access to its public transportation systems. Establishes the Fare-Free Public Transportation Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax on petroleum products to fund fare-free public transportation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kim Coco IwamotoDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.

Requires certain employers to provide administrative 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. Prohibits retaliation against employees for exercising rights related to domestic violence, sexual violence, or workplace violence or threat of workplace violence. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

LA CHICA

RELATING TO DRUGS FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

Requires the Department of Human Services to provide Medicaid prescription drug program recipients with coverage of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs for weight loss. Appropriates funds. (HD1)

LA CHICA

RELATING TO INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS.

Amends the private sector On-the-Job Training Work Experience Program to allow the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to contract with employers and trade organizations or apprenticeship program sponsors without regard to chapters 103D and 103F, HRS; establish that an intern may become an apprentice in a registered apprenticeship program under certain conditions; require employers to pay $20 per hour for a maximum of 40 hours per week for all interns; provide, subject to certain limits, for the reimbursement of 100% of an intern's wages for employers, trade organizations, and sponsors having fewer than 50 employees, and 50% of an intern's wages for employers, trade organizations, and sponsors having 50 or more employees; and requires sponsors to pay, supervise, and train interns. Amends the State Internship and Workforce Development Program to require experience gained by interns to be applied towards the experience needed to meet minimum qualifications for civil service positions; require the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Department of Human Resources Development to develop guidelines for participation in the program; transfer certain program responsibilities from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to the Department of Human Resources Development. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND STAFF SALARIES.

Authorizes the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to establish the salary for the Assistant Administrator. Requires the board to first conduct a market analysis of commensurate salaries in the private sector. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Establishes a Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program to incentivize public charter school teachers who achieve national board certification under the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Requires that incentives paid to public charter school teachers under the Teacher National Board Certification Incentive Program established for public charter school teachers and other teacher differentials be paid from funds appropriated to the State Public Charter School Commission, instead of the per-pupil allocation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

REYES ODA

RELATING TO STUDENT-ATHLETE COMPENSATION.

Affirms student-athletes' rights to engage in name, image, and likeness activities for compensation. Requires the University of Hawaii to adopt policies governing institutional name, image, and likeness agreements and other aspects of name, image, and likeness activity consistent with federal law, rules by an intercollegiate athletics governing body such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and Title IX. Establishes certain transparency and accountability requirements in the administration of institutional name, image, and likeness activities. Provides protections and educational support for student-athletes who enter into name, image, and likeness agreements. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL BENEFITS.

Expands workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma of the respiratory system; cancer of the buccal cavity, cervix, colon, esophagus, ovary, pharynx, skin, female reproductive organs, including the uterus, endometrium, and fallopian tubes, and thyroid; and malignant melanoma. Specifies that an employer may deny medical benefits under workers' compensation law only if they prove that the cancer or disease was not associated with firefighting duties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a general excise tax holiday on school supplies. Requires businesses to pass the savings from the general excise tax holiday to consumers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

David Alcos IIIRepublican

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 certain other circumstances. 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. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Implements recommendations from the 2025 Advisory Committee on Penal Code Review, established pursuant to Act 245, SLH 2024, to amend the Hawaii Penal Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL PORT ADMINISTRATION.

Renames the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation to the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes between the terms "harbor" and "commercial port" throughout the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes that certain participants in state-funded internship and workforce development programs are eligible for internal recruitment. Authorizes any state department, division, or agency to make certain determinations regarding an applicant's minimum qualifications in conducting a minimum qualification review. Repeals the requirement that a state department, division, or agency shall submit to the Department of Human Resources Development the applications for individuals who have met the minimum qualifications for a vacant position. Repeals the requirement that DHRD shall complete certain necessary tasks to facilitate the hiring of applications. Authorizes the director or head of a state department, division, or agency to directly hire an individual who meets the minimum qualifications for a civil service position. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RETIREMENT.

Includes the Chief Investigator and Chief Special Investigator of the Department of Law Enforcement as class A members of the pension and retirement system. Establishes guidance for the computation of retirement benefits for the Adjutant General, Deputy Adjutant General, Fire Marshal, and Deputy Fire Marshal. (HD2)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO RETIRANTS.

Establishes a five-year pilot program allowing retirants to be rehired for exempt service for one-year terms under certain circumstances. Provides that retirants employed under the program are excluded from the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund and will not experience an interruption of pension benefits. Requires an employer of a retirant under the program to contribute to the Employees' Retirement System. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to submit a report to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

By 1/1/2029, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2030, requires the Department to begin receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program. Excludes paid family and medical leave benefits from income tax. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND INVESTMENT OFFICE STAFF SALARIES.

Enables the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to establish appropriate salaries for the investment office staff of the Trust Fund after conducting a market analysis of commensurate salaries in the private sector. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY ASSISTANCE.

Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist qualifying households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide certain information and assistance to recipients of the program. Appropriates funds to implement the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

Establishes the Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency as the Deputy Director of Emergency Management within the Department of Defense, under the direction of the Adjutant General. Clarifies the position's reporting structure and duties. Requires the Commission on Salaries, pursuant to section 26-56, HRS, to include the Deputy Director of Emergency Management in its recommendations for executive branch salary levels. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX.

Repeals future adjustments to income tax brackets. For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, increases the income tax rates for the three highest income tax brackets by one percentage point each. Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. Establishes certain disallowance periods following a final decision that a claim for the credit was due to fraud and that the claim was disallowed. Extends the sunset for amendments made by Act 163, SLH 2023, to the Household and Dependent Care Services Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Food/Excise Tax Credit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Amends the Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit by: Limiting claims for certain solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems and installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $175,000 or less if filing as an individual, $262,500 or less if filing as a head of household, or $350,000 or less if filing jointly; increasing the maximum adjusted gross income an individual taxpayer must be below in order to be eligible to have any excess credits refunded and limiting credit refundability to systems that are not third-party financed systems; and prohibiting a taxpayer from claiming a credit for a renewable energy technology system installed and placed in service on a residential property where the taxpayer has claimed a credit in prior taxable years. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 1/1/2029. (SD2)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. Expands reporting requirements of the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator to include reporting on the grid-ready home interconnection process. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO COURT-ORDERED PAYMENTS.

Requires the Judiciary to contract with a collection agency or licensed attorney to collect delinquent court-ordered fees, fines, sanctions, and court costs. Clarifies the collection and prioritization of court-ordered fees, fines, and restitution. Establishes procedures for proof of compliance hearings and consequences for nonpayment. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Requires disclosure of the names of compensated officers of state and county contractors and grantees. Prohibits the compensated officers of certain state and county contractors and grantees from making, promising, or soliciting certain campaign contributions for the duration of the contract or grant. Provides that, for contributions received through a third-party payment processor website, whether received by check or directly deposited to the candidate or noncandidate committee, the date the contributor executes the transaction on the third-party payment processor website shall be deemed the date of receipt and the date of acceptance for campaign finance reporting and compliance requirements. Clarifies that monetary contributions and other campaign funds shall be deposited within 14 days of their physical receipt in a depository institution. Requires unlawful contributions to be returned to the contributor within 30 calendar days of receipt or escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. Clarifies that where a violation of the prohibition against contributions and expenditures by lobbyists during legislative session occurs because of the acceptance or agreement to accept a prohibited contribution, and the contribution is by check, the date of violation shall be the date of the receipt of the check and not the date of deposit. Appropriates moneys. (SD3)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

Clarifies driver's obligations at crosswalks. Requires drivers to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks. Strengthens penalties for traffic violations, particularly in school zones. Creates additional criminal penalties when pedestrians suffer bodily injury. Provides heightened protections for blind and visually impaired pedestrians. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

LA CHICA

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires landlords or landlord's agents to accept comprehensive reusable tenant screening reports, if made available by an applicant, and prohibits application fees in such cases. Establishes remedies for refusing to accept those reports. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

LA CHICA

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to assess a per passenger head infrastructure fee against cruise ships docking in the State's commercial harbors. Establishes the Cruise Ship Special Fund. Repeals existing law imposing the Transient Accommodations Tax on cruise ships, effective retroactive to 1/1/2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY.

Specifies a process by which property owners may utilize law enforcement officers to remove unauthorized individuals from dwellings. Establishes the criminal offenses of squatting and fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property. Makes the offense of criminal trespass in the first degree for a person who knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a dwelling or in or upon the premises of a hotel or apartment building a class C felony, rather than a misdemeanor. Classifies the type of property damage typically inflicted by squatters as a form of criminal property damage in the second degree. Classifies the falsification of documentation typically performed by squatters as a form of unsworn falsification to authorities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX CREDITS.

Establishes a refundable diaper tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lisa KitagawaDemocrat

RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION.

Allows applicants for driver's permit, driver's license, or civil identification cards to request a disability notation on their permit, license, or identification card. Requires the Department of Transportation to establish public outreach efforts and coordinate with state and county law enforcement agencies regarding the disability notation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO ESSENTIAL PERMITTING POSITIONS.

Establishes a four-year pilot program to improve the speed, accountability, and quality of permit processing through targeted staffing, performance incentives, and interdepartmental competition within participating counties. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES VIII AND X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE ON RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Proposes amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution to repeal the counties' exclusive power to tax real property, and to authorize the Legislature to establish a state surcharge on real property taxes levied by the counties on certain residential investment properties, for the purpose of helping to fund public education for all of Hawaii's children and adults. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ESTATE AND GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX.

Establishes an unrealized gains surcharge on certain property transfers subject to the estate and generation-skipping transfer tax. Except for certain types of properties within estates, lowers the applicable exclusion amount allowed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, the Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program within the Department of Law Enforcement to provide retention bonuses to Department law enforcement officers for three years. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Establishes a framework for the use of intelligent speed assistance technology for habitual speeders. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the filing thresholds for the General Excise Tax and Transient Accommodations Tax. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, removes the two-year limitation on the recoupment of overpayments and limits the amount of overpaid amount and the penalty assessment amount that can be deducted from future benefits payable to the individual. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to assess and collect a service charge for dishonored unemployment insurance assessments. Beginning 4/1/2027, specifies that employers must report separation and wage information within five calendar days of notice being sent, whether by mail or electronic notification. Beginning 4/1/2027, increases the penalty for failure to report separations or wages and for failure to file or for filing insufficient wage reports. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Office of Youth Services to establish a five-year Youth Housing Stability Assistance Pilot Program to enter into contracts with nonprofit organizations or execute memoranda of agreement with government agencies to support eligible youth with financial assistance. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/2031. (SD1)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a program for the support of students experiencing homelessness. Requires the Department to designate a state coordinator position and state navigator positions to implement the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat