Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO WATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

Directs the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Agribusiness Development Corporation and the counties, to conduct a statewide agricultural water infrastructure study. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes a working group within the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study to assess the State's port and harbor system and the potential viability of each location in that system to support current and future agricultural product transportation methods and needs. Requires a report. Appropriates moneys.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO POLOLU VALLEY MANAGEMENT EFFORTS ON HAWAII ISLAND.

Appropriates moneys for Pololu Valley management, including for the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop the trailhead; develop the infrastructure necessary to accommodate parking; install appropriate informational, historical, and educational signage; design and construct restroom facilities; and establish positions to manage the trail area. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ANIMALS.

Establishes a spay and neuter special fund. Establishes a spay and neuter special fund advisory committee to develop eligibility criteria for and manage the disbursement of the special fund. Authorizes, and requires the Director of Taxation to amend the individual state income tax form to facilitate, the designation of tax refund moneys to be paid to the spay and neuter special fund. Appropriates moneys into and out of the special fund.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an income tax credit for medically-related travel expenses not covered by insurance.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO FERAL ANIMALS.

Designates the Department of Land and Natural Resources as the primary agency for the trapping of feral goats, sheep, and pigs. Requires the Department to establish a program to humanely manage populations of feral goats, sheep, and pigs in the State by trapping.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Makes an appropriation for the operation of an additional ambulance for the island of Hawaii to be based in Makalei.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO GOATS.

Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from establishing or implementing bag limits for goats in public hunting areas.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Requires state and local law enforcement agencies to notify an individual of their rights when in state or local law enforcement agency custody before any interview with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement pertaining to certain matters regarding civil immigration violations. Designates all records relating to United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to detained individuals provided by a state or local law enforcement agency as public records under chapter 92F, HRS. Requires state and local law enforcement agencies that have provided the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement access to a detained individual within the previous year to hold two public forums per year.

AQUINO (Introduced by request of another party)

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires condominium associations to repair defective conditions of common elements that constitute health or safety violations. Allows unit owners to make the repairs at the association's expense.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAM.

Allows children having a parent or guardian who is a public school teacher to have priority for enrollment in the Executive Office on Early Learning public prekindergarten program.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract its review of proposed state projects, projects on privately owned historic property, and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants if the Department is unable to complete its review within sixty days.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT DISASTER RECOVERY PERMITS.

Authorizes departments to issue permits for the development of multi-family rental housing projects on state or county land that was used for a multi-family rental housing project before a state emergency.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PROPERTY.

Amends the definition of "historic property" under the State's historic preservation program to include only property that predates Statehood Day and, with respect to buildings and structures, is registered on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES.

Requires utilities to pay distributed energy resources program customers for bill credits generated by the customer that are not used by the customer within 1 year.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SCHOOL FACILITIES AUTHORITY.

Clarifies that the School Facilities Authority is responsible for certain development, planning, and construction projects for prekindergarten, preschool, and child care facilities, as well as workforce housing. Allows the School Facilities Authority to use the Department of Education for certain recruitment and hiring responsibilities. Allows the School Facilities Authority to partner with public and private development agencies to develop prekindergarten facilities. Exclude School Facilities Authority Board workgroups and subcommittees from the Sunshine Law, except as it relates to permitted interactions.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.

Transfers the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from the Department of Accounting and General Services to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Transfers the authority held by the Comptroller over the Works of Art Special Fund to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes the Performing Arts Grants Program to support performing arts in the State. Clarifies the scope of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' responsibilities to include the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. Amends the authority for funds from the works of art special fund to be used only for costs related to the acquisition of works of art and the planning, design, construction of works of art and related appurtenances. Requires reports to the legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE NATURAL ENERGY LABORATORY OF HAWAII AUTHORITY.

Clarifies that the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority's duties include supporting aquaculture.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST BANA PACIFIC INC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Bana Pacific Inc. in constructing a biogas production facility. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Requires the counties to upgrade to zero emission buses by 2045. Requires the state agencies to prioritize zero emission buses in the procurement policy for purchasing or leasing motor vehicles. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process, including vehicle-to-grid compliance requirements, by 1/1/2026. Authorizes the use of the Hawaii electricity reliability surcharge for cost recovery of certain expenses of the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator associated with the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Requires a report to the PUC on the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Authorizes certain government entities to establish a self-certification process for behind-the-meter, customer-sited solar distributed energy resource systems and exempt the systems from the Federal Emergency Management Agency No-Rise/No-Impact declaration requirements under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE PARKS SPECIAL FUND.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to expend the moneys from the State Parks Special Fund for programs aimed at environmental protection.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies the authority of condominium associations to impose fines for violations of the declaration, bylaws, house rules, or regulations adopted by the condominium association. Establishes a process for the unit owner or tenant of the unit owner to appeal the imposition of a fine. Clarifies the responsibilities of unit owners to pay common expense assessments. Clarifies the rights and process for unit owners to appeal assessments other than common expense assessments.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS.

Disallows the dividends-paid deduction for real estate investment trusts. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DOG BREEDERS.

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. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST SENIORS.

Removes the requirement that a perpetrator of certain crimes knows or reasonably should know that the victim is a person sixty years of age or older.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO POWERS OF ATTORNEY.

Establishes additional requirements to revoke or make changes relating to agents under powers of attorney of principals diagnosed with cognitive deficits. Requires submittals to the Adult Protective and Community Service Branch of the Department of Human Services. Requires the Branch to issue a notice of receipt to the principal and any person initiating the change. Establishes a mandatory waiting period before any proposed change takes effect. Establishes an expedited process for a court order granting an emergency change to a power of attorney.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Kamaaina Homes Program to provide funding to the counties to purchase voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or homebuyers.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Accessory Dwelling Unit Financing and Deed Restriction Program to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to allocate funds to the counties for the purchase of equity for eligible homeowners or homebuyers to finance construction costs, development costs, and non-reoccurring closing costs associated with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit and purchase deed restrictions on such property. Exempts the conveyance tax for certain properties for taxable years beginning on 1/1/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Authorizes each county that has established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015 to extend the surcharge until 12/31/2045, at the same rates, if the county does so before 1/1/2028. Provides that no county surcharge on state tax authorized for a county that has not established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015, shall be levied before 1/1/2019, or after 12/31/2045. Repeals certain conditions on the use of surcharges for housing infrastructure costs. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO VETERINARIANS.

Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Special Fund. Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Fee to support recruitment and retention of veterinarians in the State. Establishes the Veterinarian Workforce Development Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program to support qualified veterinarians committed to or currently working in veterinary medicine in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Requires the Auditor to conduct a financial audit of each charter school under the State Public Charter School Commission. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires the State Public Charter School Commission to take action based on the Auditor's recommendations. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO MEAT PROCESSING.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop, construct, and support facilities that can accommodate shock aging processes for meat products. Appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Agricultural Development Revolving Fund for programmatic funding relating to facilities using shock aging processes for meat products. Authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to contract with existing and future slaughterhouses in the State.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Board of Agriculture to define the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department of Education to require the teaching of financial literacy to be included in the existing personal transition plan requirement for each student.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes an Agricultural Workforce Housing Working Group within the Department of Agriculture to address the shortage and challenges of agricultural workforce housing in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to develop a succession planning education program to educate and assist farmers and ranchers in the process of transitioning agricultural businesses to new owners. Requires the program to connect individuals interested in entering farming or ranching, or existing farmers or ranchers interested in expanding their business, with farmers and ranchers who have not yet identified a successor owner. Appropriates funds.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO COFFEE LABELING.

Clarifies the labeling and advertising requirements for coffee that is grown and processed in the State. Defines regional origin. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Requires the Department of Health, to the extent allowable under federal law, to prioritize the use of Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund moneys for projects by homeowners to upgrade cesspools to director-approved wastewater systems or connect homeowners' properties to sewerage systems, including projects for the installation of cluster systems or community package plants. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLES.

Allows all-terrain vehicle to drive on streets with posted speed limits of not more than forty-five miles per hour. Allows all-terrain vehicles to drive in the evening and night if they are equipped with headlights, tail lights, and while displaying a slow moving vehicle emblem. Allows drivers of all-terrain vehicles to wear a safety helmet with a securely fastened chin strap. Includes in the definition of "utility-terrain vehicle" a motor vehicle that accommodates one driver and one passenger sitting side-by-side, and up to six people in seat belts.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO DAM AND RESERVOIR SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to incorporate into their assessment process the possession of dam insurance or the active seeking of dam insurance by private dam owners, as part of their valid mitigation strategies, in conjunction with approved modifications or repairs. Authorizes the DLNR to relax any restrictions and stringent standards on a dam or appurtenance upon verification of certain insurance coverage. Authorizes the DLNR to consider a dam, reservoir, or appurtenance is safe absent certain documents. Shifts the burden of proof to the DLNR to find that a dam is categorized as high-risk. Establishes additional requirements for the DLNR and Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the Dam and Appurtenance Improvement or Removal Grant Program.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Program within the Department of Agriculture to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's Research and Economic Analysis Division to conduct a comprehensive study to assess the impacts of minimum wage increases on small businesses and the overall economic health of the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Makes an appropriation.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to conduct a study on agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers. Appropriates funds for the one-year study on agricultural markets for Hawaii farmers. Establishes and funds two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions to collect agricultural data and conduct data analysis for public consumption. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO MEAT PROCESSING.

Establishes a working group within the Department of Agriculture to develop a plan that creates an educational pathway in the University of Hawaii community college system to equip interested students with the necessary entry level knowledge, skill set, expertise, and advancement potential in the field of meat processing. Require reports to the Legislature.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat