Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program, to consist of a reimbursement program for geographically disadvantaged farmers and livestock producers to mitigate the high costs of transportation for agricultural products, inputs, and supplies, and a grant program to assist small-scale farmers, ranchers, food hubs, and agricultural producers in rural or underserved areas with transportation costs directly related to the production and distribution of agricultural commodities. Establishes the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Clarifies that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the counties, including officers, employees, and authorized agents of the Department and counties, shall not be liable for costs relating to the entering of private property to control or eradicate pests. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a working group that comprises signatories of the biosecurity government-industry agreements for joint-decision making. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO DEMOGRAPHIC DATA.

Requires the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to coordinate the development and maintenance of statewide standards for the collection, management, and reporting of race and ethnicity demographic data by any state or county department, agency, board, or commission. Focuses the use of collected demographic data on areas of public interest and establishes transparency and accountability requirements regarding artificial intelligence systems associated with the collected data. Requires state and county departments, agencies, boards, and commissions that collect race and ethnicity data to report to the Office of Enterprise Technology Services on meeting federal data collection requirements. Appropriates funds.

Daisy HartsfieldDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires a developer of an algorithmic decision system to provide certain disclosures to a deployer and an individual who is or will be affected by a decision made, informed, or influenced by the algorithmic decision system. Provides certain rights and procedures for individuals to access and correct data used by an algorithmic decision system. Requires disclosure requirements for generative artificial intelligence systems. Provides that a developer and deployer of an algorithmic decision system are jointly and severally liable for a violation of any law that results from the deployer's use of the developer's system, under certain conditions. Assigns enforcement responsibilities to the attorney general, including establishing rules.

Daisy HartsfieldDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Requires hospitals and hospital systems to submit annual certified reports regarding costs associated with Medicare and uninsured patients to the Department of Health, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, and State Health Planning and Development Agency. Requires the Department of Health, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, and State Health Planning and Development Agency to review the reports, establish standards and procedures, and adopt rules. Requires the Department of Health to consider the reports when determining the department's budget request and designate financial assistance requests in an equitable way. Requires the Office of the Auditor to conduct periodic audits of the financial assistance distributed to hospitals and hospital systems. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Requires operators of conversational artificial intelligence services in the State to issue certain disclosures to account holders and users. Requires operators to develop protocols to respond to prompts or content associated with, and prevent the production of, suicidal ideations in account holders and users. Establishes protections for minor account holders of conversational artificial intelligence services. Beginning 1/1/2027, requires operators to submit annual reports to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Allows the Department of the Attorney General to bring a civil action against operators who violate certain requirements and establishes statutory penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Authorizes civil asset forfeiture related to fireworks offenses that constitute felonies. Amends the definition of "aerial device". Clarifies that the offense of sending or receiving fireworks or articles pyrotechnic by air delivery applies regardless of whether the offender accompanies the air delivery. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop and maintain comprehensive Housing Equity Dashboard on the Corporation's website that provides annual public reporting on certain statistics regarding affordable housing production. Appropriates funds.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.

Amends the minimum monthly guaranteed compensation an individual must earn to be exempt from certain wage and hour requirements. Requires the minimum wage to increase to $18.00 per hour beginning 1/1/2027, instead of 1/1/2028. Increases the minimum wage on 1/1/2028, 1/1/2029, and 1/1/2030. Prohibits tipped employees from being paid less than the minimum wage. Beginning on 9/30/2030, and on September 30 of each year thereafter, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to calculate an adjusted minimum wage rate.

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires all health insurers in the State, including Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Applies to insurance policies, contracts, plans, or agreements issued or renewed in the State after 12/31/2026.

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO AIR MEDICAL SERVICES.

Establishes the Statewide Air Medical Services Program within the Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Branch to coordinate and strengthen air medical services. Establishes an air medical director, an air medical program manager, and an air medical coordinator. Specifies that annual licensure and accreditation fees are to be deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund for costs of the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Establishes a three-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program to be administered by the Coordinator on Homelessness on designated land for the pilot program, which shall serve as a safe location for unhoused women and young children, under the age of ten, to reside and access services. Requires the Coordinator on Homelessness and the Coordinator's partner agencies to provide certain facilities and services to the designated location. Requires reporting to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an income tax credit for employers who provide paid family and medical leave for their employees.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO ELECTION INTEGRITY.

Requires voter registration roll maintenance and election audits. Establishes uniform chain-of-custody standards for ballots and election materials. Appropriates moneys.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO MEDICAL FREEDOM.

Protects the right of individuals to make autonomous decisions regarding medical interventions without discrimination, coercion, or exclusion by public or private entities. Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE FOR MINORS.

Prohibits medical procedures and the distribution of hormones or puberty blockers for the purpose of allowing a minor to change their sex to correlate with an identified gender. Allows for certain exceptions. Creates both a private and state right of action. Outlines sanctions through the proper licensing authority for violations.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Establishes the Office of the State Construction Manager within the Department of Accounting and General Services, overseen by the State Construction Manager, to organize, manage, and oversee design review of, and issue design approvals for, state construction projects. Exempts state construction projects from county building permit, inspection, and certificate of occupancy requirements under certain circumstances, as determined by the State Construction Manager. Establishes the Design Review Special Fund and appropriates funds into and out of the fund.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Establishes an advisory council within the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to advise on environmental and cultural practices within specific developments. Requires reports to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HELMETS.

Increases the age of an individual who is required to wear a helmet for electric foot scooters and bicycles. Prohibits a person from operating any class of electric bicycle or electronic micro-mobility device unless that person wears a helmet. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

Establishes a statewide framework for the assessment and the award of academic credit for prior learning acquired through military service, workforce training, apprenticeships, professional certifications, and other structured learning experiences outside of traditional classrooms.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Requires the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Establishes block appropriations and increases fiscal flexibility for the University of Hawaii. Establishes a University of Hawaii Budget Stabilization Fund, authorizes limited procurement and fiscal exemptions, and implements performance‑based funding metrics. Requires annual fiscal and performance reporting to the Legislature and provides a transition framework for the move to block budgeting. Effective July 1, 3000. (HD2)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Clarifies that references to the base amount in section 41, Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall not apply to the tax credit for research activities, and that the tax credit for qualified research expenses may be claimed without regard to expenses in previous years. Increases the annual cap on the total amount of credits that may be certified by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Exempts from the general excise tax the sale of groceries, health care services, and utility services. Defines terms.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Eliminates the Hawaii state income tax starting with the 2028 taxable year. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit a report to address the expected tax revenue shortfall and to propose conforming amendments to the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO BIODIESEL.

Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to implement a requirement that, no later than January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in certain counties for use in on-highway diesel-powered motor vehicles contains no less than five per cent biodiesel by volume, except in circumstances where the supply of biodiesel is insufficient. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit a report to the Legislature, including a comprehensive rollout plan. Requires the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to consult with the Department of Transportation during the development and implementation of the biodiesel requirements and present DBEDT's comprehensive rollout plan to the public. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Between 7/1/2026 and 12/31/2028, authorizes each county planning agency to petition the Land Use Commission for a district boundary amendment to reclassify certain lands within the agricultural district to the rural district through the district boundary amendment process. Repeals 12/31/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Exempts any agricultural enterprise practicing diversified agriculture on lands formerly used for commercial sugarcane production within the conservation district from any permitting and site plan approval requirements established for lands in a conservation district. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE PARKS.

Authorizes and appropriates funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park. Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to exercise the power of eminent domain for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park. Effective 6/30/2864. (SD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO UNACCOMPANIED HOMELESS YOUTH.

Entitles unaccompanied homeless youth, including runaway youth, with the rights, as provided by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, to immediate enrollment in school, full participation in school activities, and access to comparable school and educational services provided to other students. Establishes a student-centered, safety-first protocol for unaccompanied homeless youth enrolling in or attending school. Permits unaccompanied homeless youth to provisionally enroll in school without providing immunization records. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH LEGISLATIVE TERM LIMITS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit a person from serving as a member of the legislature for more than twenty-four years during the person's lifetime.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Exempts county elected officials, county candidates, and county candidate committees from the prohibition on receiving contributions from a lobbyist during a state legislative session.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS.

Requires a seller of real property adjacent to the shoreline, and the seller's agent, to disclose and include in all advertisements certain information about shoreline erosion control structures on the parcel. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to close all or portions of any marine life conservation district for various periods of time and to adopt rules for the regulation of commercial activity within a marine life conservation district.

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

Requires that priority be given to the language of a law that aligns with the intent of the Legislature if there is a difference between the English and Hawaiian versions of the law that is material to its interpretation. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER.

Establishes a framework that provides counties or their subdivisions priority and the right of first refusal to obtain intergovernmental agreements related to the disposition of water resources for public purposes. Establishes criteria to be applied when determining that the issuance of a state water license is in the best interest of the State.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO PORTABLE PLUG-IN SOLAR GENERATION DEVICES.

Prohibits binding agreements preventing the installation of a portable plug-in solar generation device on any residential dwelling, subject to certain requirements.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTS INTEGRATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Establishes within the Department of Education arts integration coordinator or specialist positions to support fine arts education and arts integration in public schools statewide. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTS EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Artists in the Schools Program. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CULTURAL TRUST.

Establishes the Hawaii Cultural Trust within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes an income tax credit for contributions made to both the Hawaii Cultural Trust and at least one qualified Hawaii cultural organization, under certain conditions. Establishes a special number plate for motor vehicles to support the Hawaii Cultural Trust. Applies the income tax credit to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Establishes the Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator within the Office of the Governor. Provides for the authority and duties of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator. Designates participating agencies and their duties with regard to state search and rescue operations and training. Establishes the Search and Rescue Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Homeowners Insurance within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Homeowners Insurance Special Fund. Appropriates funds.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPUS SAFETY.

Requires students of the University of Hawaii, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and University policies regarding sexual misconduct prior to the completion of initial registration into the university of Hawaii system. Amends the frequency that training and programming regarding sexual misconduct is provided to university of Hawaii students and employees.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS.

Beginning 7/1/27, increases the number of required accessible and van-accessible parking spaces in parking facilities with more than twenty-five parking spaces that are covered by title II or III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, with an exception for qualifying public entities managing large parking inventories that are otherwise compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the income eligibility limit and credit amount per exemption claimed for the income tax credit for low-income household renters. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Education to develop, adopt, and implement a standardized emergency response plan governing immigration enforcement activity at or within one thousand feet of public schools and adopt policies and procedures to address immigration enforcement activity at certain school-related location and events. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAGE AND HOUR LAW.

Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a Community Wage Theft Enforcement Partnership Program and enter into contracts or memoranda of agreements with community-based organizations to enhance outreach, referral, and recovery of stolen wages. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Amends the duties of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to focus on marketing and branding, rather than destination management and regenerative tourism. Establishes the Tourism Liaison Officer position within the Office of the Governor. Includes destination management and regenerative tourism as responsibilities of the Tourism Liaison Officer. Appropriates funds.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat