Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS.

Changes the name of entities organized under chapter 421C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from consumer cooperative associations to cooperative associations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT.

Requires hotelkeepers to supply and provide annual training on the proper use and limitations of a panic button to certain workers no later than 1/1/2027.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Requires any disposition of more than one thousand acres of public lands to governments by the Board of Land and Natural Resources to be subject to approval by a majority vote of both houses of the Legislature. Requires the government seeking the disposition of the public land to submit for introduction to the Legislature a resolution containing certain information. Requires a copy of the draft resolution to be sent to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO NET INVESTMENT INCOME TAX.

Establishes a net investment income tax.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY SAFETY.

Establishes comprehensive reforms to protect children and families from abuse and improve systemic responses. Part I: Establishes the calendar year 2027 as the Year of Resilience, Safety, and Survivor Justice. Part II: Modernizes statutory definitions of harm and child abuse. Part III: Recognizes coercive control as domestic abuse. Part IV: Reforms Family Court procedures to prioritize child safety and prohibit parental alienation theories. Part V: Defines economic abuse and strengthens financial protections, including automatic restraining orders, emergency hearings, forensic accounting authority, and liability for financial institutions. Part VI: Safeguards neurodivergent children and prohibits diagnosis shopping. Part VII: Protects reproductive privacy in custody proceedings. Part VIII: Enhances Child Welfare Services Branch accountability through audits and creation of a Child Welfare Ombudsman. Part IX: Requires automatic protective orders and custody restrictions in cases of severe violence. Part X: Creates a Family Violence Docket with mandatory judicial training and an advisory panel.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Establishes the Hawaii Geological Survey in the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Designates the Director of the Survey, rather than the Geophysics and Planetology Institute specialist qualified in geology, as the State Geologist.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to support certain programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

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

Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Workforce Development Council. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EIGHTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the eighth representative district.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO PRETRIAL REFORM.

Requires release on recognizance for defendants charged with violations, traffic offenses, nonviolent petty misdemeanors, nonviolent misdemeanors, and nonviolent class C felonies, subject to conditions. Establishes exclusions for specified offenses, threats to public safety, and certain other circumstances. Requires findings when bail or detention is imposed, ongoing review of continued detention or conditions, and a prompt hearing if bail cannot be posted. Requires prosecutors to notify victims of pretrial decisions. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Implements recommendations from the 2025 Advisory Committee on Penal Code Review, established pursuant to Act 245, SLH 2024, to amend the Hawaii Penal Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to install pedestrian safety improvements at sites abutting school properties, with consideration for other sites. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO A MARITIME YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAY PROGRAM.

Directs the University of Hawaii Community College System, in partnership with state agencies and maritime employers, to conduct a study and develop a plan for a statewide Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Pathway Program for individuals ages 16 to 24. Requires a report to the Legislature with recommendations on program structure, resource needs, proposed legislation and implementation options. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires that the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board submit three nominees for its Executive Director to the Board of Education. Requires the Board of Education to appoint an Executive Director from the nominees on the list, subject to advice and consent of the Senate.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE HOMES.

Lowers the minimum age required by Department of Health rules for substitute caregivers in community care foster family homes to eighteen years.

Daisy HartsfieldDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Appropriates funds to the judiciary for services contracted with community-based organizations that deliver essential services, streamline judicial processes, and support the judiciary's capacity to effectively meet the needs of vulnerable households.

Daisy HartsfieldDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES.

Changes the allowed absence by a primary caregiver at a community care foster family home to 48 hours in calendar week with no absence longer than 24 consecutive hours.

Daisy HartsfieldDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NINETEENTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the nineteenth representative district.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW.

Repeals outdated mail and triplicate form requirements. Clarifies how a physician transmits a treatment plan to an employer. Clarifies the timeframe for when an employer must submit an objection to a vocational rehabilitation plan and when a vocational rehabilitation plan is deemed received by an employer. Requires electronic submission of various reports to the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW.

Repeals the requirement that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations regulate hoisting machines and certify their operators and the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, including its rules requiring a separate state crane operator certificate. Allows additional time for the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to complete an investigation of a discharge or discrimination complaint pertaining to employees exercising rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Law without formal extension. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL SERVICE EXEMPT POSITIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Exempts certain positions within the State Historic Preservation Division and Commission on Water Resource Management within the Department of Land and Natural Resources from the state civil service law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt, amend, or repeal administrative fee schedules for use of certain lands pursuant to a specified procedure and to exempt parking lot and concessions operations on such lands from the bidding requirements for concessions operated on public property.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSERVATION BANKS.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to approve the operation of conservation banks and amends the Endangered Species Recovery Committee's membership and scope of authority. Effective upon approval.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE USE OF PUBLIC LANDS.

Defines public uses of public lands as uses by an agency either directly or through disposition, that support the agency's functions including but not limited to the uses described in section 171-10, HRS.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOSTING PLATFORMS.

Requires hosting platforms that earn service fees for providing booking services for transient accommodations to register with the Department of Taxation as tax collection agents and report, collect, and remit general excise and transient accommodations taxes on behalf of operators.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Short form bill relating to taxation.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL PORT ADMINISTRATION.

Renames the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation to the Commercial Ports Division and distinguishes between the terms "harbor" and "commercial port" throughout the Hawaii Revised Statutes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to designate airport special districts within airports statewide. Increases penalties for certain aeronautics law violations by reclassifying them from civil violations to petty misdemeanors. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to assume responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for highway projects, as well as railroad, public transportation, or multimodal projects within the State, allowing streamlined environmental reviews. Provides a limited waiver of sovereign immunity to comply with federal requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes that certain participants in state-funded internship and workforce development programs are eligible for internal recruitment. Authorizes any state department, division, or agency to make certain determinations regarding an applicant's minimum qualifications in conducting a minimum qualification review. Repeals the requirement that a state department, division, or agency shall submit to the Department of Human Resources Development the applications for individuals who have met the minimum qualifications for a vacant position. Repeals the requirement that DHRD shall complete certain necessary tasks to facilitate the hiring of applications. Authorizes the director or head of a state department, division, or agency to directly hire an individual who meets the minimum qualifications for a civil service position. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FEDERAL MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to enter into agreements with the United States Department of Defense for the provision of services at federal military installations, under certain conditions. Authorizes charging an administrative fee. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Removes county-specific expenditure restrictions for funds in the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund. Requires unencumbered and unexpended revenues from the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund in excess of a certain amount as of June 30 of each year to lapse to the general fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Makes an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2025–2026 to the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Short form bill relating to the University of Hawaii.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR.

In counties of fewer than 200,000 residents, but more than 100,000 residents, exempts the 3-day temporary liquor licenses for fundraising events, known as class 10 special licenses, from any requirement to obtain fire-related clearances. Allows applications for class 10 special licenses to be submitted electronically and for a single application to apply any fundraising event that spans multiple parcels of land owned by the same entity. Increases the percentage of fines assessed by all county liquor commissions that may be used to fund public liquor-related educational or enforcement programs.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish geographically based capital improvement project districts for the localized management of capital improvement projects. Transfers all capital improvement project functions, funds, and vacant Facilities Development Branch positions from the Department of Education to the School Facilities Authority. Clarifies that general funds shall not be used for operations or management of the Authority. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD2)

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO CASH TRANSACTION ROUNDING.

Requires cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents. Requires cash transactions that total $0.01 or $0.02 to be rounded up to $0.05. Exempts transactions in which payment is made by demand or negotiable instrument, electronic fund transfer, check, gift card, money order, credit card, or other like instrument or method.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLE SAFETY.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to implement a pilot program to allow for mobile vehicle safety inspections for passenger cars. Establishes a four-year sunset date on the pilot program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joe GedeonRepublican

RELATING TO THE STATE PARKS SPECIAL FUND.

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

Joe GedeonRepublican

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS.

Requires the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to make certain contact information for newly registered entities available online. Requires the Director to transmit the contact information to the Business Development and Support Division of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joe GedeonRepublican

RELATING TO TIP CREDIT.

Beginning 1/1/2027, increases the tip credit amount to equal twenty-five per cent of the minimum wage. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to annually calculate the adjusted tip credit amount.

Joe GedeonRepublican

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOMES FOR HAWAII FAMILIES ACT.

Prohibits corporate owners from renting a single-family home to a residential tenant when the owner has a property interest in five or more such properties. Prohibits individual owners from renting a single-family home to a residential tenant when the owner has a property interest in seven or more such properties. Allows for exemptions and enforcement.

Joe GedeonRepublican

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Repeals the mandated upgrade, conversion, or sewer connection of all the cesspools in the State before 2050.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO THE CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CENTRAL REGISTRY.

Provides a path for expungement from the child abuse and neglect registry for survivors of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, or coercive abuse if certain conditions are met.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO ILLEGAL CAMPING.

Clarifies petty misdemeanor penalties for the offense of criminal trespass onto public parks and recreational grounds. Provides for seizure of abandoned or unattended personal property. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a homeless outreach and case management program. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to identify and restore vacated homeless encampment areas in the State and report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Authorizes the forfeiture of real property when used to commit promoting gambling in the first or second degree regardless of whether it was committed without the knowledge and consent of the owner. Authorizes the forfeiture of real property under the gambling forfeiture section.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide a certificate of rehabilitation to offenders who have satisfied all sentencing and post-release requirements. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with government and private stakeholders to conduct public education regarding the certificates. Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with state agencies to increase offenders' eligibility for security clearance in post-release employment with the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican