Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO SERVICE DISRUPTIONS.

Requires hotelkeepers to provide adequate notice of strikes and lockouts to guests and third-party vendors under certain conditions. Allows for recovery of damages by injured parties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

AQUINO

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 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 Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

AQUINO

RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM.

Increases the deposit and refund value for beverage containers from 5 cents to 10 cents under the deposit beverage container program.

AQUINO

RELATING TO INDEBTEDNESS TO THE STATE.

Requires disbursing officers to notify employees within sixty days of making a determination that an indebtedness has occurred to the government resulting from salary or wage overpayment. 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)

AQUINO

RELATING TO MOTOR CARRIER VEHICLES.

Repeals inspection requirements for motor carrier vehicles.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO A LIBRARY IN EWA BEACH.

Requires the Department of Education to transfer the Ewa Beach Public and School Library from the State Public Library System to James Campbell High School.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO A STATE PERMITTING OFFICE.

Establishes the State Permitting Office within the Department of Transportation to process building and infrastructure permits for construction of state-owned buildings, state roads and highways, and other construction on state lands. Appropriates moneys.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO BREAST CANCER SCREENING.

Expands mandatory health insurance coverage for low-dose mammography for occult breast cancer to include any supplemental imaging deemed medically necessary for a patient of any age having an above-average risk for breast cancer as determined by the use of a risk-factor modeling tool. On or before 1/1/2026, expands mandatory health insurance coverage to include additional supplemental imaging for any patient, regardless of age, as deemed medically necessary by the patient's primary care provider. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS.

Allows a person who has been convicted of 3 misdemeanors committed in Ewa Beach, Kapolei, or Waianae, to be sentenced to a term of geographic restriction during which the person is prohibited during certain hours from entering the specific area where the acts occurred. Mandates a sentence of imprisonment for 30 days for a violation of the geographic restriction.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO ENERGY ASSISTANCE.

Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist eligible 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. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO EXPLOSION DETECTION TECHNOLOGY.

Requires the county police departments to purchase and deploy explosion detection technology equipment to assist in the location of and response to explosions caused by the illegal use of firearms and fireworks. Appropriates moneys to the counties as a grant in aid.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO CRIME.

Specifies that the penalty for sex trafficking shall be payment of a fine of no less than $50,000 but no more than $100,000, and a definite term of imprisonment of up to 20 years without the possibility of a suspended sentence, probation, or parole. Provides that consent to sexual conduct is not a defense. Defines "sexual conduct". Provides that a minor who reports that the minor is a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

Establishes general excise tax exemptions for food, medical services, and feminine hygiene products.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the counties, before implementing any new mass transit fare or increasing any existing fare, to first seek revenues from alternative sources, including transit-based advertisements. Requires a county that decides, after seeking alternative revenue sources, to implement a new or increased mass transit fare to submit a justification report to the Department of Transportation. Requires the Department of Transportation to reject or approve the proposed new mass transit fare or fare increase within 30 days of receiving a county's justification report.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires each public or public charter school to have staff trained in the administration of, and authorized to administer, epinephrine. Requires signs to be displayed in school buildings stating the symptoms of anaphylaxis and the proper method for administering epinephrine. Appropriates moneys.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO PUBLIC NOTICE.

Establishes enhanced public notice requirements for changes in land use by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Land and Natural Resources, or University of Hawaii and boundary changes by the Land Use Commission. Requires approval of the project by the community through a referendum of nearby adult residents except for projects within the Mauna Kea science reserve, which require a referendum by all adult residents of the country in which the Mauna Kea science reserve is located. Appropriates moneys.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Prohibits the State from leasing public lands to or extending the lease of the US Department of Defense or any branch of the US military if the department or branch is noncompliant with any environmental order, consent decree, or memoranda of agreement, or any law, rule, or order on a matter affecting residents' health and safety. Requires Department of Land and Natural Resources to request that the military agree to remediation of existing leased lands prior to the end of the lease term.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN CULTURE.

Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to establish and maintain Native Hawaiian cultural centers within the State. Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to construct one cultural center on Oahu by 2040. Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to submit reports to the Legislature regarding the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' compliance with this Act. Appropriates funds for the planning and design of the first Native Hawaiian cultural center. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO SPEEDY TRIALS.

Creates a statutory right of victims and witnesses of sexual offenses under part V of chapter 707, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to a speedy trial in criminal cases involving adult defendants. Requires the court and the prosecution to take appropriate action to ensure a prompt trial to minimize the length of time a child abuse victim or minor witness must endure the stress of the proceedings.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO STUDENT OUT-OF-SERVICE-AREA ATTENDANCE.

Prohibits the Department of Education from mandating that any student attend a school outside the student's service area. Establishes a 5 year phaseout period. Requires the DOE to submit annual progress reports.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires electric utilities to compensate customer-generators for excess electricity credits. (SD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO CRIME.

Establishes a special intergovernmental task force to eradicate illegal gambling and drug activities and to establish community safe zones across the State. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and amends the maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code, expands the types of potential violations of the State Water Code, and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties. Makes the setting, charging, and collecting of administrative fines by the Commission on Water Resource Management mandatory, rather than discretionary.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

Adds the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, or the chairperson's designee, to the Commission on Water Resource Management.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY.

Prohibits nonresident aliens and businesses and trusts that are significantly controlled by nonresident aliens from acquiring certain residential property in the State, except as otherwise provided by law.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to install and use at each state airport and commercial harbor electronic equipment capable of scanning for illegal fireworks.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services to assess the feasibility of offering a 20% discount on certain goods and services for the State's low- to moderate-income elders.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO WATER.

Prohibits the use of 1,000,000 or more gallons of water per year for recreational or ornamental purposes.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from approving any land disposition to the United States military that allows for or facilitates any military training activities on the subject lands. Requires that any lease or lease extension between the State and the US Department of Defense or branches of the US military include certain provisions, including an acknowledgement that the State retains authority over all environmental matters within its jurisdiction. Provides that violation of state or federal environmental law, or any law, rule, or order on a matter affecting the health and safety of the State's residents, shall be grounds for terminating the lease.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Allows the raising of the building height limit for 2 of the 5 parcels owned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in the Kakaako Makai area to 400 feet. Lifts the current restriction against residential development on the 5 OHA-owned parcels in Kakaako Makai to allow residential development by OHA or by third parties to which OHA conveys the parcels. Requires OHA and any developer to provide written notice to any tenant or resident of potential aircraft related nuisances before entering into a lease, and to assess and propose mitigation efforts to address aircraft related nuisances in development plans and proposals.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Authorizes the Director of Health to grant an exemption from the requirement to upgrade, convert, or connect a cesspool if the State is unable to present evidence that the cesspool is affecting the State's drinking water supply or recreational waters.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO CHILDREN.

Requires medically appropriate and reasonable life-saving and life-sustaining medical care and treatment for all infants born alive. Establishes civil and criminal penalties.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO INCOME.

Implements a phased elimination of the tip credit.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO TOWING COMPANIES.

Changes the fees that a towing company may charge to tow vehicles left unattended on private and public property. Prohibits a towing company or parking management company from installing immobilization devices on motor vehicles. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO WATER.

Defines "isolated wetlands" and "wetlands". Clarifies the definition of "state waters" to include wetlands and isolated wetlands. Requires the Director of Health to determine all wetlands in the State, including whether a wetland is an isolated wetland or is included in the waters of the United States. Prohibit persons from discharging any water pollutant into or at any location that enters state waters.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HURRICANE RESISTANT CRITERIA.

Requires the State to consider hurricane resistant criteria when designing and constructing new state buildings, constructed on or after 7/1/2025, for the capability of providing shelter refuge.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Provides that the Liquor Commission or other licensing agency of each county shall deny the renewal of certain current liquor licenses upon receipt of sufficient protests.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Beginning 6/1/2026, establishes presidential preference primary elections for the 2028 election cycle. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ATTACHMENT AND EXECUTION OF REAL PROPERTY.

Increases the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO DEFAMATION.

Protects individuals who make claims of sexual misconduct from defamation lawsuits unless the claims were proven to be made with malice. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION.

Establishes an investigator position in the Campaign Spending Commission. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO BUILDING CODES.

Amends responsibilities of the State Building Code Council.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO CABARET LICENSES.

Expands the prohibition of class 11 cabaret licenses to premises within apartment mixed use subprecincts of special districts and special improvement districts.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Eliminates the home mortgage interest deduction for second homes under Hawaii income tax law. Requires reports to the Legislature. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE IV, SECTIONS 4 AND 6, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING REAPPORTIONMENT.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to specify that reapportionment shall be based on the resident population, as counted in the decennial United States census for the respective reapportionment year, rather than the permanent resident population. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for State Enterprise Zone Program purposes to include retail sales of tangible personal property manufactured and sold in the enterprise zone to the final consumer, the processing of value-added agricultural products grown within an enterprise zone, the provision of professional services by health care professionals in health-care-related sectors, the use of advanced manufacturing to produce products, or the development of cybersecurity technology. Extends the eligibility period of the state business tax credit and general excise tax exemption for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones from 7 years to 9 years. Extends the eligibility period of the general excise tax exemption for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones engaged in the manufacturing of tangible personal property or the producing or processing of agricultural products from 10 years to 12 years. Makes the extension of the state business tax credit eligibility period applicable to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Makes the extension of the general excise tax exemption eligibility period take effect on 1/1/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO NEONICOTINOIDS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to conduct a study on the effects of neonicotinoids on Hawaii beehive and apiary operations, including beekeeping activities at solar energy facilities. Appropriates moneys.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat