Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO MIDWIVES.

Establishes a licensing scheme for licensed certified midwives and licensed certified professional midwives, to be overseen by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Reestablishes the home birth task force to provide recommendations on issues related to home births. Dissolves the task force on 6/30/2026. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FARM EMPLOYEE HOUSING.

Authorizes farm cluster housing on certain agricultural land within agricultural districts. Requires the counties adopt ordinances to allow farm cluster housing.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Requires the submission and retention of environmental product declarations for state construction projects.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX HAVEN ABUSE.

Effective 1/1/2028, requires corporations to include in their income the income of all foreign subsidiaries to the State; applies the State's apportionment formula to determine the share of reported profits subject to the appropriate tax, which shall be deposited into the state general fund; and requires corporations to report all profits, losses, revenues, and inter-company transactions made and all taxes paid in other states. Establishes penalties for violations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSURE.

Authorizes the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to issue a temporary license to engage in the practice of dealing and fitting of hearing aids to high school students enrolled in a structured training program.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO DEFERRED RETIREMENT FOR POLICE.

Establishes a deferred retirement option program for police officers.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTION WATCHERS.

Specifies that each qualified political party may have one election watcher. Allows the news media to act as election watchers. Allows the clerk to permit additional election watchers. Specifies conditions for election watchers while serving. Effective 8/9/2026.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

After 7/1/2026, prohibits firearms with the capacity to fire ammunition of fifty caliber or higher with exceptions.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

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

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO POLICING.

Requires law enforcement agencies and police oversight agencies to collect and report certain data regarding law enforcement stops, uses of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab affiliated with the University of Hawaii. Requires the Hawaii Crime Lab to collect and publish incident-level information and an annual report on the data collected. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to adopt rules, in coordination with the Hawaii Crime Lab.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes a two-year Youth Ride Free Pilot Program within the Department of Transportation. Specifies that certain Program administrative costs incurred by the counties are eligible for reimbursement from the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING.

Requires employers of twenty or more persons to offer a parking cash-out program in place of a parking subsidy and report to the Department of Transportation. Requires the Department of Transportation to report to the Legislature, adopt rules, and impose fines or penalties on violators.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO VOTER SERVICE CENTERS.

Requires clerks at a voter service center to maintain separate lines for voters with accessibility needs, voters who are newly registering or conducting a change of name or residence, and all other voters unless a line is unoccupied.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE SHERIFFS DAY.

Establishes April 27 of each year as State Sheriffs Day to commemorate the establishment of the Office of the Marshal of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1846. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Establishes the Hawai?i Firearm Injury Restitution Fund funded by contribution payments made by firearm manufacturers as a condition of market participation. Provides no-fault, first-payer coverage for medical and other costs arising from firearm injuries. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO COOPERATIVES.

Establishes a Cooperative Development Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to award grants to support the establishment of new cooperatives in the State. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2031.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER.

Defines the public trust responsibilities of the Commission on Water Resource Management. Allows the Commission to retain independent legal counsel. Amends the scope of the Commission to include declaration of emergencies. Repeals the position of Deputy to the Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management and establishes the position of Executive Director. Amends the composition of the Commission. Authorizes entities to challenge an emergency order of the Commission under certain conditions. Establishes fines for certain water use offenses.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION.

By July 1, 2027, requires the Honolulu Police Department to establish and maintain a statewide automated DNA match tracking system. Requires the Department to submit an annual report to the Legislature and post the report to the Department's website. Requires each law enforcement agency and prosecuting attorney's office that submits DNA to a crime laboratory in the State to participate in the automated DNA match tracking system. Establishes mandatory deadlines for entities participating in the automated DNA match tracking system after confirmation of a DNA database match. Establishes privacy and data protection guidelines for the statewide automated DNA match tracking system. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CELLULAR TOWERS.

Requires the Department of Health to provide public guidance on radiofrequency energy exposure and conduct statewide monitoring. Prohibits the trimming, removal, or alteration of trees or vegetation by counties around cellular towers or antennas solely to improve wireless signal reception or network performance, except as necessary for safety or protection of the equipment. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PESTICIDE BUFFER ZONES.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the application of restricted use pesticides within a half-mile radius of elderly health care facilities, with certain exemptions. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an Intervenor Compensation Program to reimburse qualified intervenors participating in commission proceedings for reasonable costs incurred for making substantial contributions. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes the issuance of GO bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvements for the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Agricultural Research and Extension Station on Kauai.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO STATEWIDE COMPOSTING.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt or amend rules to establish a classification system for composting facilities or operations. Allows composting and co-composting in the agricultural district, including on lands with class A or class B soils. Appropriates moneys.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMALS.

Defines a "dog breeder" as any person who owns, possesses, controls, or otherwise has charge or custody of more than ten dogs over the age of twelve months with intact sexual organs, and who sells, barters, or otherwise transfers more than three litters and more than twenty-five dogs per calendar year. Requires dog breeders to meet minimum standards of care and not place certain types of dogs in the same enclosure to ensure the proper treatment and care of dogs and the dogs' offspring. Prohibits any person from owning or having custody of more than thirty dogs over one year with intact sexual organs. Requires dog breeders to maintain specific written records for each dog for a specified period. Authorizes each county to assess, implement, and enforce its own licensing system for dog breeders. Establishes civil penalties for violations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

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.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Requires the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish a Center for Biosecurity Research, Education, and Extension to develop and implement innovative solutions for detecting, monitoring, eradicating, and managing invasive species. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WEST HAWAII REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

Appropriates funds for the planning, design, site work, and construction of a new outpatient care center in North Kona.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Establishes a limited right of first refusal for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands with respect to county real property tax sales. Requires advance notice from the counties to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands of qualifying properties. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO SUBSISTENCE GARDENING.

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity a temporary Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a fare-free youth transit program, to be coordinated with the counties. Establishes a fare-free youth transit program special fund. Requires biannual evaluations of the new program and special fund. Allocates moneys from the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to the fare-free youth transit program special fund. Appropriates moneys into and out of the fare-free youth transit program special fund. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts housing developments that have obtained financing commitments from the State from the requirement to obtain approval from the applicable county council. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUNSHINE LAW.

Authorizes any member of a board to attend an informational meeting or presentation on matters relating to board business; provided that the meeting or presentation is not specifically and exclusively organized for or directed toward members of the board. Repeals the requirement of a subsequent report of attendance and the matters presented and discussed that related to board business at the informational meeting or presentation.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

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

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning with the 2030 model year, requires new passenger vehicles to be equipped with passive intelligent speed assistance systems. Beginning 7/1/2030: makes circumventing or tampering with an active intelligence speed assistance system a misdemeanor; requires the Department of Transportation to select a vendor for the installation and maintenance of active intelligent speed assistance systems; and 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.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

Clarifies a 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. Expands the offense of negligent injury in the second degree to include bodily injury to a vulnerable user by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LAND.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to acquire, through eminent domain or otherwise, the leasehold interest in the parcel identified as tax map key: (3) 2-1-001:012 and currently used as the Grand Naniloa Golf Course. Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to approve a new use for the parcel after providing an opportunity for public testimony. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR AEROSPACE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Authorizes the issuance of $15 million in general obligation bonds to finance the planning, design, and construction of a 50,000 square foot aerospace hangar and related facilities at Hilo international airport. Requires matching contributions from the federal government and private sector. Directs appropriation to be expended by the Department of Transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIMARY CARE.

Requires all health carriers to allocate, initially, not less than 6% of the carrier's total medical expenditures to primary care providers, with the percentage increasingly incrementally to 12%. Requires health carriers to pay primary care providers directly, rather than through administrative mechanisms. Places restrictions on downcoding and claim modifications. Requires health carriers to ensure access to primary care in rural areas, including access to Primary Care Access Visits and Community Access Primary Care Sites. Requires Insurance Commissioner to administer requirements established in bill. Requires the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division to apply the Act, to the extent permitted by federal law and subject to any federal approvals, to Medicaid managed care organizations. Requires reports. Requires the Auditor to evaluate the impact of the Act on various metrics 3 years after the measure's effective date. Establishes the primary care stabilization special fund.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE BUDGET OF THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

Appropriates moneys to fund the operating expenses of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the fiscal biennium beginning on 7/1/2025, and ending on 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION AFFORDABILITY.

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a Clean Vehicle Rebate Program to provide rebates for the purchase or lease of certain new and used zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Establishes the Clean Vehicle Special Fund. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enter into community co-management agreements and establishes qualifications for eligible community co-managers. Authorizes the disposition of public lands by a community co-management agreement.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to report to the Legislature on the integration of certain content into existing social studies curricula at public schools. Establishes a one-year 100th Infantry Battalion history curriculum pilot program within certain public high schools during the 2026-2027 school year. Requires reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPASSIONATE RELEASE.

Establishes a protocol for compassionate release for certain ill or seriously debilitated incarcerated persons. Establishes a temporary working group within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to develop initial administrative rules to implement the protocol. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO ISLAND BURIAL COUNCILS.

Decreases the size of the Island Burial Councils from nine to seven members. Removes the requirement for the councils to include members having development and large property owner interests. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Beginning 12/31/2026, 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". 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 3 electric bicycle. Authorizes a person under the age of fourteen to operate class 2 electric bicycles under supervision. Prohibits a person from riding a class 3 electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Authorizes a person to ride a class 1 or class 2 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-driven cycle" with the term "motor scooter".

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HOUSEHOLD AND DEPENDENT CARE SERVICES TAX CREDIT.

Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. Extends the sunset date of the temporary increase in maximum employment-related expenses that are used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit, established by Act 163, SLH 2023, to 6/30/2030. Sunsets 6/30/2030.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Authorizes the University of Hawaii to engage in enterprise-related activities for educational purposes.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Establishes a working group within the Judiciary to improve family court processes, including access to legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES.

Establishes 1 additional district court judgeship in the Third Circuit.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat