Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO COMBAT SPORTS.

Renames the State Boxing Commission of Hawaii as the Boxing and Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii. Creates a subcommission on boxing and subcommission on combat sports. Amends the jurisdiction of the Commission to include combat sports contests. Prohibits no rules combat or similar combat sports contests. Repeals the existing Mixed Martial Arts Contests program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to use public-private partnerships for the development of public school facilities, including facilities at public charter schools. Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a pilot program to develop three new public schools in areas based on demonstrated need through public-private partnerships. Requires the approval of the Department of Education prior to the development of a public school for the pilot program on Department lands. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Specifies that implementation is contingent upon and only to the extent approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

Establishes a PFAS Working Group within the Department of Health to investigate the existence and environmental dangers of per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO INDUSTRIAL HEMP.

Beginning 7/1/2026, authorizes the use of hemp or hemp-derived feed ingredients in commercial feed in the State, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMUNICATIONS.

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to develop and implement a statewide public education and communications program to promote household emergency preparedness consistent with the Agency's 14-day essential supplies recommendation. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official live broadcast during a state of emergency. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide a primary pool feed that includes the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture‑in‑picture window. Requires reports to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health Incentive Program within the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI, SECTION 3, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO INCREASE THE MANDATORY RETIREMENT AGE FOR STATE JUSTICES AND JUDGES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory retirement age for justices and judges from seventy to seventy‑five years of age. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Program to create career pipelines in the fields of agriculture and agricultural technology. Requires the University of Hawaii to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and appropriate community organizations to develop and administer the program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUG.

Establishes a two-year Two-Lined Spittlebug Response Pilot Program to mitigate and control the spread of the two-lined spittlebug. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.

Establishes and appropriates funds in the form of grants for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program under the Department of Human Services to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

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 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 BIODIESEL.

Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to implement a requirement that, no later than January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in certain counties for use in on-highway diesel-powered motor vehicles contains no less than five per cent biodiesel by volume, except in circumstances where the supply of biodiesel is insufficient. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit a report to the Legislature, including a comprehensive rollout plan. Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to consult with the Department of Transportation during the development and implementation of the biodiesel requirements and present DBEDT's comprehensive rollout plan to the public. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

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 FIREWORKS.

Authorizes civil asset forfeiture related to fireworks offenses that constitute felonies. Amends the definition of "aerial device". Clarifies that the offense of sending or receiving fireworks or articles pyrotechnic by air delivery applies regardless of whether the offender accompanies the air delivery. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX CREDIT FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

Amends the tax credit for research activities by: allowing qualifying taxpayers to claim the credit for all qualified research expenses without regard to the amount of expenses for previous years; amending from March 31 to March 1 the deadline for qualified high technology businesses to submit to the Department of Business, Economic development, and Tourism written, certified statements identifying qualified expenditures and the tax amount of tax credits claimed in the previous taxable year; for any taxable year the annual aggregate cap is reached, requiring the credit to be divided between all qualified high technology businesses in proportion to the amount of qualified research expenses claimed; and requiring DBEDT to establish an annual application period and notify each qualified high technology business applicant of the credit amount certified. Applies to costs incurred beginning after 12/31/2025. Repeals the credit on 1/1/2029. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Appropriates funds for the Area-Wide Fruit Fly Suppression Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Clarifies the types of events that constitute disasters and emergencies for the purposes of emergency management. Establishes the Hawaii Community Resilience Hub Program within the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to support the development of community-based resilience hubs across the State and leverage federal, philanthropic, and private-sector funding for disaster preparedness and climate resilience. Requires the Agency to identify locations on each island that can be used as state disaster response and mitigation hubs when a state of emergency is declared. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Prohibits any law enforcement agency or law enforcement official from entering into an agreement under federal law that permits state or county agencies to engage in immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officials from engaging in certain immigration-related actions, except under limited circumstances. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Amends Act 289, SLH 2025, to replace the Senior Residence at Iwilei parcel with the Westridge parcel, repeal the designation of affected parcels as public lands, change the transfer date for the Alii Tower parcel to 12/31/2026, change the deadline for approval by the City and County of Honolulu to 12/31/2027, change the repeal date to 1/1/2028, and repeal reenactment language. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

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 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 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 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 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 VACANCIES.

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

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

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 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 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 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 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 STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code and authorizes the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Establishes factors the CWRM must consider when determining the amount of the penalty. Increases maximum fines every five years from 2030 to 2045. Effective 7/1/2040. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO EVICTION RECORDS.

Requires the Judiciary to conduct a study to determine the ability, best approaches, various issues, and potential impacts of requiring courts to disassociate a residential tenant from an eviction proceeding brought by a landlord in certain circumstances. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO AN EARLY LEARNING APPRENTICESHIP GRANT PROGRAM.

Establishes an Early Learning Apprenticeship Grant Program to be administered by the University of Hawaii to provide financial support for early learning program service providers in the State to participate in state- or federally-approved early learning apprenticeship programs. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO NUCLEAR ENERGY.

Establishes the Nuclear Energy Task Force within the Hawaii State Energy Office. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO RETAINAGE.

Allows procurement officers to withhold a retainage fee from the total budget from contractors to ensure satisfactory project completion. Requires the retainage fee to be paid to contractors within a certain number of days of project completion. Applies to public contracts executed on or after 1/1/2026. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat