Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE.

Requires the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative Program to design and implement a plan to increase jobs that strengthen emergency preparedness and climate resilience. Authorizes the use of the Energy Security Special Fund to advance the State's goals of strengthening emergency preparedness and climate mitigation.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Plant-Based Building Materials Working Group to study how best to grow plants, develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii, and provide economic development and green jobs while sequestering greenhouse gases to help achieve the State's climate target. Requires a report to the legislature.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Requires the Department of Education to authorize and facilitate complex areas or individual department schools to form their own farm to school meal programs through partnerships to meet the local farm to school meal goal of thirty per cent of food served in the school to consist of locally sourced products by 2030. Allows the Department of Education to establish a plant-based meal program no later than the 2026-2027 school year.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Part II: Requires certain priority level 1 cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected before 1/1/2035, and priority level 2 cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected before 1/1/2040, rather than before 1/1/2050. Part III: Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to implement the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project established pursuant to Act 153, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022. Part IV: Establishes an income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a qualified cesspool to a Director of Health-approved wastewater system or connecting to a sewerage system, and requires the Auditor to periodically review the tax credit.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ADAPTATION PATHWAYS PLANNING.

Expands the authority of the State and counties to develop adaptation pathways plans to modify and relocate infrastructure away from critically threatened areas to locations outside sea level rise and coastal flooding exposure areas. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a three-year New Wastewater System and Individual Wastewater System Technology Demonstration and Implementation Pilot Program within the University of Hawaii at Manoa Water Resources Research Center. Requires the University of Hawaii at Manoa Water Resource Research Center to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.

Requires certain state buildings, including public school buildings, for which construction is anticipated to commence on or after 7/1/2026 to be designed to withstand category five hurricanes and be used as shelters in the event of an emergency. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO FARM.

Amends the definition of "farming operation" by including customary and traditional subsistence farming conducted by native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and excluding concentrated animal feeding operations and business entities with unclear or non-transparent ownership or beneficiary structures. Establishes additional criteria for farming operations to meet in order to be protected against nuisance claims. Clarifies the purpose and intent of the Hawaii Right to Farm Act.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FINANCES.

Establishes the Climate Health and Environmental Action Special Fund in the Department of Land and Natural Resources to minimize the impacts of, and respond to, climate crises, which, beginning 1/1/2026, will be funded by a $25 tax on transient accommodations. Exempts certain housing used for emergencies during a state disaster from the Transient Accommodations Tax. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.

Prohibits foreign entities from owning, leasing, or holding a controlling interest in more than an unspecified number of acres of agricultural land. Limits the lease term for agricultural land by foreign entities. Requires foreign entities that own or lease interest in agricultural lands to file an annual report with the Department of Agriculture. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY-EFFICIENCY PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Extends the State's energy-efficiency portfolio standards from 2030 to 2045. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to establish interim goals and clarifies procedures.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PARROTFISH.

Amends conservation and resources law to prohibit: (1) Commercial sales of parrotfish that have been caught by spearing; and (2) The spearing of parrotfish in state waters after sunset or before sunrise.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.

Beginning 1/1/2026, prohibits certain entities from owning, purchasing, or acquiring ownership of agricultural lands.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO CORAL REEFS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study on the populations of coral reef herbivores around the island of Oahu and an analysis of policies and strategies to increase the populations of coral reef herbivores around Oahu, in consultation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and other experts. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND CONVEYANCE TAX.

Establishes a surcharge on the conveyance tax upon the net capital gain from the transfer or conveyance of agricultural land.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO DECENTRALIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FARM TO SCHOOL.

Provides that complex area superintendents have the authority to implement the farm to school and farm to school meals programs. Requires certain school cafeteria supervisors to report directly to complex area superintendents. Establishes school cafeteria supervisor positions. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a compensation review of school cafeteria supervisor positions. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO LOCAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.

Clarifies certain benchmark goals and timeline for the Department of Education to provide locally-sourced agricultural and food products. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Creates an income tax credit for qualified transportation costs incurred by certain taxpayers who ship agricultural products and inputs between counties. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules and carry out an Invasive Species Placard Program for plant nurseries. Allows a county to adopt an Invasive Species Placard Program if the Department does not adopt the Program within a certain number of years.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Clarifies that the importation of any pest or material infested or infected with an insect or other animal, disease, or pest is prohibited. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administratively inspect any article imported or moved into the State from the continental United States or between the Hawaiian Islands. Prohibits the sale, barter, or donation of items or material that is a pest, is infested or infected with a pest, or prohibited from being sold. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to compel the quarantine, treatment, or destruction of certain materials. Clarifies penalties for various quarantine and import law violations, based in part on whether violations were knowingly committed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM RESERVES.

Requires a detailed budget summary to contain all required information without referring the reader to other portions of the budget or reserve study. Excludes the good faith defense for associations whose boards adopt a budget that omits the required detailed budget summary. Clarifies a unit owner's standing and the association's burden of proving substantial compliance. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Increases the procurement thresholds for small purchases. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Amends section 11-364, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to provide that an excess contribution of more than $100 in cash, in the aggregate, from a single person during an election period to a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund if not returned to the contributor within 30 days.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Increases the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all state and county elective offices. Amends section 11-425, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), by increasing the maximum amount of public funds available for each election for candidates (1) for Mayor of the County of Kauai and the County of Maui by 125%; (2) for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from $1,500 to 10% of the expenditure limit established in section 11-423(d), HRS; and (3) for candidates for all other offices by 50%. Amends section 11-429(a), HRS, by increasing the amounts of qualifying contributions for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from more than $1,500 in the aggregate to more than $5,000 in the aggregate. Provides a downward adjustment of the amounts of qualifying contributions for the Office of Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, and County of Kauai and for the Office of County Council for the County of Maui. Provides for an unspecified appropriation to pay for the increase in the partial public financing program. Provides for an appropriation in the amount of $200,000 for the Commission to hire 2 additional staff members.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Prohibits state or county grantees, officers and immediate family members of state or county contractors, and officers and immediate family members of state or county grantees from contributing to candidate or noncandidate committees for the duration of the contract. Requires candidates, candidate committees, or noncandidate committees to return any unlawful contribution to the contributor within 30 calendar days of receipt. Provides that if any unlawful contribution is not returned to the contributor within 30 calendar days, the unlawful contribution shall escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Prohibits state and county elected officials from soliciting and accepting campaign contributions during any regular session or special session of the state legislature, including any extension of any regular session or special session or any legislative recess day, holiday, or weekend.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO RECORDKEEPING.

Establishes recordkeeping requirements for secondhand dealers, requiring records to be retained for two years from the date of sale. Amends and standardizes recordkeeping requirements for pawnbrokers, requiring records to be retained for two years from the date of maturity. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Appropriates funds for the Judiciary for the fiscal biennium beginning 7/1/2025, and ending 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2025. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO JURY DUTY.

Increases the amount each juror or prospective juror is paid for each day of actual attendance at court. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROSPECTIVE JURORS.

Authorizes the Judiciary to determine the format of the juror qualification form and the means of its delivery and return. Authorizes the Judiciary to use more than one method of delivery and attempt to contact any one juror more than once. Removes the requirement that the form be mailed. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPENSATION FOR COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL.

Increases the rate of compensation and maximum allowable amounts per case for court-appointed counsel in criminal proceedings. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPENSATION FOR COURT-APPOINTED REPRESENTATION.

Increases the rate of compensation and maximum allowable amounts per case for court-appointed counsel and guardians ad litem in family court proceedings.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES.

Establishes 1 additional district court judgeship in the First Circuit.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES.

Establishes 1 additional district court judgeship in the Third Circuit.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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 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 HOUSING.

Clarifies the definition of "qualified nonprofit housing trust" to specify organizations that exclusively serve qualified residents as defined in section 201H-32, HRS.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Allows captive insurance companies that are not risk retention captive insurance companies to apply to the Insurance Commissioner for certificates of exemption from examination if the captive insurance companies meet certain requirements.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO PERMITS.

Establishes an exemption from applicable county permit requirements for repetitive construction projects for facilities under the control of any state department or agency, under certain conditions. Clarifies that contracts for the construction, renovation, or repair of facilities under the control of the department of education, university of Hawaii, or school facilities authority shall be exempt from county permitting requirements that related off-site improvements be made by the contracting government agency as a condition to the issuance of any permit.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Places oversight of the School Impact Fee Program under the School Facilities Authority Board. Allows the School Facilities Authority Board to dissolve a school impact district without a public hearing.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO REDRESS FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND IMPRISONMENT.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide written notice to certain persons regarding the ability to file a claim for redress under applicable wrongful conviction law. Requires the liberal construction of that law. Changes the standard for a claim for compensation for wrongful imprisonment from actual innocence to grounds consistent with innocence. Provides for advance compensation for petitioners under certain circumstances. Requires the State to prove, for claims for compensation for wrongful imprisonment, that the reversal or vacating of the petitioner's conviction or pardoning of the petitioner was inconsistent with innocence. Requires reports to Legislature from the Department of the Attorney General. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION ESTABLISHING THE RIGHT TO OWN ONE'S OWN DATA.

Proposes to amend the Hawaii State Constitution by establishing the right of each person to own and have an exclusive property right in the data they generate on the Internet.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

Expands eligibility for scholarships under the Hawaii Community College Promise Program to all qualified students. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR.

Requires Liquor Commissions or Boards to deny any renewal for a liquor license if the applicant for renewal has violated any provision of the Intoxicating Liquor Law under chapter 281, Hawaii Revised Statutes, on three separate occasions during the twelve-month period preceding the renewal application date.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD CARE.

Requires the Judiciary to establish a three-year pilot program to provide free child care services to minor children of parties and witnesses who are attending court hearings in the first circuit. Requires the Judiciary to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS AMMUNITION.

Requires the licensing of sellers of ammunition, and for the identification and proper permitting of purchasers or possessors of ammunition. Regulates ammunition in the same manner that firearms are regulated.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

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. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO SURFING.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to support the establishment of surfing as an interscholastic sport.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat