Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.

Makes permanent, rather than repealing upon the adoption of relevant administrative rules, the Department of Land and Natural Resources' authority to establish a transaction fee for certain services rendered by the Bureau of Conveyances for each recording in the Bureau of Conveyances and Land Court. Amends the authorized uses of moneys in the Bureau of Conveyances Special Fund. Repeals language that required the Bureau of Conveyances' microfilm fees to be established by rules. Effective 7/1/3026. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Matching Program. Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Department of Education, to establish a STEM education outreach program, under which recipients of funds from the SBIR Matching Program must deliver presentations to public school students. Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to develop an Economic Diversification Strategic Plan. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for economic diversification and defense ecosystem development. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

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 SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

Establishes the Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.

Establishes a Clean Plant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to support the production, maintenance, and distribution of disease-free, clean plant material to growers, nurseries, and other agricultural producers in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules to enforce the Akamai Arrival Program. Requires DAB to strengthen enforcement of plant and non-domestic animal quarantine and microorganism importations.

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 HEALTHCARE LICENSURE WAIVERS.

Authorizes the waiver of certain healthcare worker licensure requirements during emergencies. Requires an annual report to the legislature.

Elle CochranRepublican

RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION.

Requires the State Building Code Council to provide greater flexibility for the use of alternative materials, designs, or methods of construction within the specifications of the Hawaii state building codes. Authorizes procurement debriefing and award protests for awards that do not account for the alternatives.

Elle CochranRepublican

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Temporarily establishes, within the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator to review, assess, coordinate, prepare, and manage plans and resources for search and rescue operations statewide. Repeals on 6/30/2031. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Elle CochranRepublican

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts food and groceries from the general excise tax. Expands the general excise tax exemption implemented in 2024 for certain medical and dental services to include all medical and dental services.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the department of education to equip all classroom doors with interior locks, maintain a public address system, feature an emergency access route, and maintain fire alarms. Mandates the establishment of a school emergency management plan. Requires schools to conduct regular testing and emergency preparedness drills. Appropriates funds.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Requires the University of Hawaii System to implement a financial literacy program offered at all campuses at no cost to students. Appropriates funds.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO TELEHEALTH.

Authorizes out-of-state physicians who are licensed and in good standing in the state in which they reside to provide an initial consultation via telehealth to a patient located in the State, under certain conditions. Clarifies that a physician-patient relationship may be established with an out-of-state physician via telehealth under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO REAL ESTATE.

Requires a licensed real estate broker or salesperson to provide written disclosure to the seller when marketing residential real property through a private or off-market listing. Includes failure to provide the written disclosure as grounds for disciplinary action against a licensed real estate broker or salesperson. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Establishes a two-year-pilot program within the Department of Human Services to provide temporary financial stabilization assistance to families with students identified as experiencing homelessness. Funds the program through the Department of Human Services using allowable Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds. Requires Department of Education Complex Area Community Homeless Concerns Liaison to make approved purchases. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO FERAL ANIMALS.

Declares feral chickens on public lands as a public nuisance and controllable pest in a city with a population of three hundred thousand or more. Prohibits supporting feral chickens on public lands, including by feeding chickens. Prohibits the abandonment of chickens on public lands or on private property without consent. Establishes fines and authorized enforcing agencies. Appropriates funds for the receipt, handling, and humane disposition of feral chickens that have already been caught. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS.

Establishes statewide health care worker safety and workplace violence prevention requirements for health care facilities. Requires enforcement by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations in coordination with the Department of Health.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours, except for instructional purposes, to begin in the 2027-2028 school year.

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Authorizes the funding for rental or lease of facilities by legislative appropriations and bond authorizations to the state public charter school commission for the design, planning, construction, repair, and maintenance of public charter school improvements. Appropriates general funds for infrastructure costs, rental or lease assistance, and the repair and maintenance of network infrastructure for charter schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHERS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to provide monetary awards to educators who are recognized by the legislature, during education week, for their accomplishments, excellence in teaching, leadership, and service. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.

Authorizes the issuance of special number plates for members of the Hawaii Civil Air Patrol. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes a cap on the total number of superintendent-level positions within the Department of Education, with certain exceptions. Defines "superintendent-level position". Authorizes the Board of Education to conduct a written performance evaluation of each Complex Area Superintendent every two years. Appropriates funds to establish two Deputy Superintendent positions within the Office of the Superintendent. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Increases the fee amount collected from taxpayers claiming the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit and requires a portion of funds collected to be used to support the vertical film industry in the State. Expands the funding sources of the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund to include revenues received by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from managing the Hawaii Film Studio. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Repeals 1/1/2033. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO OUTDOOR SIGNAGE.

Requires the display of outdoor advertising devices, including digital outdoor signage devices, to be allowed within the Waikiki Special District and requires the adoption of necessary county ordinances. Allows the display of outdoor advertising devices, including digital outdoor signage devices, within the Stadium Development District with the authorization of the Stadium Authority.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY.

Appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and converts the position from temporary to permanent.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO SUBSISTENCE GARDENING.

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity a three-year Subsistence-Plus Gardening Pilot Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RECOGNITION OF A HAWAIIAN SENSE OF PLACE.

Establishes the Hawaiian Sense of Place Recognition Act. Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to develop educational and outreach programs to promote understanding of the Hawaiian sense of place among residents, visitors, and public employees. Requires state agencies to incorporate Hawaiian sense of place principles into land planning, management, and state construction projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 12 AND 13, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION.

Proposes constitutional amendments to expressly provide that the Legislature may authorize political subdivisions, such as the counties, to issue housing infrastructure growth bonds for specified public works, public improvements, or other actions necessary for housing and community development, and exclude these bonds from determinations of the funded debt of the political subdivisions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FIFTEENTH, SIXTEENTH, AND SEVENTEENTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth representative districts.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO BONDS.

Authorizes the counties to implement housing infrastructure growth bonds. Conforms county debt limit statements law to permit counties to exclude housing infrastructure growth bonds from the debt limit of the counties if a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of housing infrastructure growth bonds and excluding housing infrastructure growth bonds from determinations of the counties' funded debt is ratified. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes a temporary working group to study the current capacity of state utility services, the expected lifespan of existing coastline utility infrastructure, and the financial implications of necessary expansions. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

Protects emergency responders from liability during periods of evacuation. Provides that individuals who wilfully fail to comply with predictive evacuation orders assume the risk and waive liability. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to establish a permanent Return-to-Home Program to return homeless individuals in the State to families and relatives in their home states. Requires the Office to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO THE RELOCATION OF FACILITIES.

Establishes the facilities relocation task force to identify and address the issue of the inequitable location of mental health facilities, clean and sober homes, homeless shelters, and supportive living homes across the island of Oahu, particularly on the Waianae Coast. Appropriates funds.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FORTY-FIFTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 45th representative district.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the twenty-sixth representative district.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENING.

Requires cardiovascular screening for students, including student athletes. Requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, to distribute educational and informational materials regarding sudden cardiac arrest. Requires the Department of Health to implement policies, programs, training, and continuing education that increase health care provider knowledge of cardiovascular screening guidelines.

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO SOLAR ENERGY.

Defines and provides requirements for the use of a portable solar generation device. Provides that electric utility companies are not liable for any damage or injury caused by a portable solar generation device. Requires each portable solar generation device to be registered with the Public Utilities Commission. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices, at no cost to the customer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities. Requires the Department to adopt rules.

Dee MorikawaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD.

Requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the health care communication needs of patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Dee MorikawaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates moneys to establish a bachelor's degree program in American Sign Language interpretation at the University of Hawaii Manoa campus with a multi-year plan to include a master's degree program for interpreter training. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dee MorikawaDemocrat

RELATING TO COASTAL RESILIENCE.

Establishes a five-year Coastal Resilience Pilot Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the preservation of Mantokuji Bay. Allows the pilot program to be exempt from certain regulatory requirements. Requires the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct a streamlined historic preservation review. Establishes certain procedures for the discovery of Native Hawaiian skeletal remains. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO MEASUREMENT STANDARDS.

Exempts commercial measuring devices utilized in taxicabs from the requirement that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Measurement Standards Branch inspect and test all measurement standards and measuring devices.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO A CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY.

Includes the Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office as a member of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Ensures that the State's zero emissions clean economy aspirational target encourages both local and global sequestration. Requires each state agency to review the impacts of its internal plans as they relate to the purpose and goals of the Commission. Requires HSEO to submit summary reports to the Governor and Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT.

Establishes the procedure that a circuit court shall follow upon the reversal or vacation of an individual's judgment of conviction on grounds consistent with innocence, and where the charges were dismissed. Requires the State to pay advance compensation to any petitioner who was convicted in a court of the State, imprisoned for at least one year, and whose judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated, or was pardoned, on grounds consistent with innocence. Requires the Comptroller to issue a warrant for payment of advance compensation to a petitioner. Requires the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, to contract with a community-based agency to assign a case manager to a petitioner upon the petitioner's release. Requires the State to provide medical coverage to a person for a certain duration upon the reversal or vacation of the person's judgment of conviction on grounds consistent with innocence and where the charges were dismissed. Provides that the Judiciary and Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall retain jurisdiction over the person for the purposes of effectuating this process. Authorizes the State to seek reimbursement from the applicable county for any losses incurred by the State pursuant to this process. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Clarifies eligibility to seek compensation for individuals whose judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated, or who were pardoned, on grounds consistent with innocence, and where the charges were dismissed. Shifts the burden of proof to the State to prove by a preponderance of evidence that the reversal or vacation of the judgment of conviction for a petitioner, or the pardoning of the petitioner, was inconsistent with innocence. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

David A. TarnasDemocrat