Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO RETAINAGE.

Allows procurement officers to withhold a retainage fee from the total budget from contractors to ensure satisfactory project completion. Requires the retainage fee to be paid to contractors within a certain number of days of project completion. Applies to public contracts executed on or after 1/1/2026. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO LEGISLATORS.

Authorizes state legislators to use state-owned or stateoperated equipment for bona fide community initiatives within their respective electoral districts.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Amends the composition of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund board of trustees. Clarifies vacancy procedures. Amends quorum requirements and voting powers.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Mandates reimbursement for services provided by participating registered pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice by private and public health plans in the State after 7/1/2026.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO FORECLOSURES.

Clarifies the limitation of actions to recover debts related to notes and mortgage notes shall be six years. Prohibits creditors from pursuing deficiency judgments against residential property owners upon completion of a judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII-JAPAN PACIFIC PEACE MONUMENT.

Establishes a Hawaii-Japan Pacific Peace Monument to be developed by the State Foundation on Culture and appropriate stakeholders representing Hawaii and Japan. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Amends provisions relating to the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit. Increases the percentage of the qualified production costs that can be claimed by a qualified production company in different counties. Clarifies the distribution requirements of the tax credit. Increases the cap amount and aggregate cap amount of the tax credit.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Allows authorized insurers in the State to offer building and hurricane damage insurance for condominium buildings at a lesser rate than the building's prior surplus lines insurance policy for the same coverage. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Combined Housing Operational Agriculture Mobilization Program to assist bona fide farmers to live and farm on agricultural lands. For taxable years beginning 1/1/2026, establishes a tax credit for land donated to the Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Department of Transportation to plan and design an expansion of the runway at Molokai Airport to accommodate larger aircraft. Requires the Department of Transportation to submit a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Establishes rate transparency requirements for insurance companies operating in the State. Establishes the Office of Insurance Consumer Affairs within the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer affairs to provide oversight, information, and consumer advocacy. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO PROVIDE FOR A CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY AND TO AUTHORIZE THE CITIZENS' ASSEMBLY TO PROPOSE TO THE LEGISLATURE CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY REVISIONS OR AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS GOVERNING ELECTIONS, POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS, CAMPAIGN FINANCE, ETHICS, REFERENDUM, REAPPORTIONMENT, LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to provide for a citizens' assembly and to authorize the citizens' assembly to propose to the Legislature constitutional and statutory revisions or amendments to the laws governing elections, political campaigns, campaign finance, ethics, referendum, reapportionment, legislative process, and public access to information.

Jr. IharaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRUSTED PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES.

Establishes a Trusted Public Representative Program within the Office of Information Practices under which the Office assigns a volunteer Trusted Public Representative trained in the requirements of the Sunshine Law and observes public agency meetings closed to the public. Allows the Office of Information Practices to conduct background checks of current and prospective Trusted Public Representatives. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Jr. IharaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING RESILIENCY.

Establishes the strengthen Hawaii homes program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to administer grants to retrofit residential properties located in historically vulnerable areas to enhance resilience against disaster impacts and reduce potential insurance liabilities. Establishes the strengthen Hawaii homes program special fund. Appropriates moneys from the special fund.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, facetoface practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact. Effective 1/1/2026.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Appropriates moneys from the Act 279 Special Fund for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to purchase a parcel of land identified as tax map key: (1) 9-1-013-025. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES.

Adopts the Code of Fair Campaign Practices that candidates may use as a guide for their election campaigns.

Jr. IharaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

Establishes a program within the Office of Community Services to authorize the formation of community collaborative capital improvement projects eligible for state grants, which may be exempted from certain state and county regulatory requirements under specific circumstances. Requires the Office to adopt rules and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2030.

Jr. IharaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE KĀNEHILI COMMUNITY HALE.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for a capital improvement project for the construction of the Kānehili community hale, a new access road, and a parking lot at the Kānehili homestead.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGE VERIFICATION FOR APP DEVELOPERS AND APP STORES ACT.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires app store providers to determine the age category for each of their users in the State and verify their age; provide a mechanism for parents to block minors from downloading unsuitable apps; and obtain parental consent before allowing a minor to use their app store or download and purchase apps. Requires certain app store providers to provide parents with a mechanism to set filters and usage limits for minors. Requires certain app store providers to display age ratings and content description for each app available in their app store. Establishes age verification and parental consent requirements for certain app developers. Establishes violations as unfair or deceptive act or practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules no later than 7/1/2026.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a general excise tax exemption for the gross proceeds or income from the manufacture, production, packaging, and sale of diapers. Establishes a surcharge on the general excise tax and use tax for the sale or use of luxury cars.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO RETIRED TEACHERS.

Requires retirants rehired as teachers or administrators in teacher shortage areas or in difficult-to-fill positions to be paid at least the minimum salary for their experience and qualifications. Prohibits rehired retirants from receiving additional employment benefits. Directs the Department of Education to adopt rules to identify teacher shortage areas and difficult-to-fill positions.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAIAHOLE WATER SYSTEM.

Appropriates funds for the Waiahole Water System for bond debt service and tunnel repair. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO DUNE RESTORATION.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program for dune restoration at Hanakaoo Beach Park. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO BUILDING CODES.

Beginning 1/1/2028, makes the most recent Hawaii state building codes adopted by the state building code council supersede all existing county building codes and thereafter allows counties to remove requirements of the state building codes or add requirements to the state building codes only with prior council approval. Repeals the counties' authority to adopt, amend, and update the Hawaii state building codes for their respective county building codes.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Requires the Board of Regents or the President of the University of Hawaii to allocate general funds appropriated to the University of Hawaii to University of Hawaii program IDs in accordance with performance-based outcomes relating to student achievement and degree attainment. Requires the President to submit reports to the Legislature. Requires the President to propose at least three efficiency measures to the Director of Finance to produce a more effective budget.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO NUISANCE ABATEMENT.

Offers rights and protections to citizens who bring civil nuisance abatement suits related to illegal gambling. Imposes a mandatory fine of $5,000 for violating nuisance abatement laws related to gambling offenses.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

Authorizes the Department of the Interior of the United States to adopt certain regulations for the purposes of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Provides that not less than 5 of the members shall be beneficiaries who are native Hawaiian as defined in section 201(a) of the Act, and that not more than 4 of the members shall be descendants of not less than one-fourth part of the blood of the races inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands previous to 1778.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO PRIVATE SECTOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS.

Expands the types of employees protected by the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and all individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers to submit certifications with the Department of Taxation annually, stating that the manufacturer's products comply with federal regulations. Requires the Department of Taxation to maintain a directory of manufacturers of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids whose certifications the Department approved. Imposes penalties.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Requires the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health to develop and implement a comprehensive messaging and informational campaign to prevent cannabis use among the State's youth. Requires the Division to establish and enter into contracts with community-based organizations to award grants to prevent substance misuse among youth through evidenced-based prevention programs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO ORAL HEALTH.

Establishes an Oral Health Task Force to review the status of oral health in the State and make recommendations to improve the State's oral health infrastructure. Establishes one full-time equivalent program specialist V position. Appropriates funds.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease public lands for recreational-residential use by public lottery and restrict participation in the public lottery to residents of the county in which the leased land is located. Lowers the maximum term for a lease of public lands for recreational-residential use to five years. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Authorizes the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish a two-year Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program to provide 50 per cent matching grants to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the United States Department of Defense Office of Naval Research. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to adopt administrative rules to implement the Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program. Establishes the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds.

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

Establishes a temporary working group to study the feasibility of transitioning the Legislature's regular session from one that meets for 3.5 months from mid-January to early May, to one that meets on a year-round basis. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to provide administrative support to the working group. Requires report to Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS.

Prohibits any person from charging any fees on a transient accommodation unit, room, or service that were not disclosed before the time of booking. Requires any person offering, listing, advertising, soliciting, or displaying a rate or price for the use or occupancy of a transient accommodation unit, room, or service to disclose at the time of booking in a clear and conspicuous manner, the total dollar amount that will be charged, including all resort fees and taxes and fees imposed by government entities. Establishes penalties. Effective 1/1/2026.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Allows an on-call circuit judge in the relevant circuit to perform the duties of the Board of Registration for purposes of hearing elections disputes if the Board of Registration lacks full membership. Requires the Judiciary to designate one or more on-call circuit court judges in each circuit to perform the duties of the Board of Registration for purposes of hearing elections disputes. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on best practices for the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers and reduction in prescription drug costs for health insurance plan beneficiaries. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 12/31/2050. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCING.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a cesspool conversion on-bill financing program to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to provide low-interest loans to eligible homeowners for the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Establishes an Ombudsman's Office for homeowner associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes an Ombudsman's Office Special Fund. Requires board members of condominium associations, cooperative housing corporations, and planned community associations to meet certain educational requirements through classes offered by the ombudsman. Updates statutes relating to condominium associations, cooperative housing corporations, and planned community associations to integrate the role and functions of the ombudsman's office for homeowner associations. Appropriates funds for establishment of the ombudsman's office.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYORS.

Establishes a statute of repose prohibiting the commencement of a civil action against a professional land surveyor or owner of real property if ten years has elapsed since the latter of the date of completion of a contract or final payment for land surveying work. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO GAMING.

Establishes the Hawaii Lottery and Gaming Corporation for the purpose of conducting and regulating wagering and gaming in the State. Establishes the Lottery and Gaming Special Fund and allocates certain percentages of the fund to various community betterment purposes.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to develop and implement training programs, public-private partnerships, funding opportunities, and recruitment strategies to develop a local workforce to meet the growing demand in defense-related personnel and promote economic diversification. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Extends the sunset date of the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project to 2038. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SERVICE ANIMALS.

Requires sellers or providers of emotional support animals, as well as those issuing verifications of a disability related need for an emotional support animal, to provide written notice to the buyer or recipient containing certain information. Requires persons or businesses that sell or provide certificates, vests, or identification tags that identify an animal as an emotional support animal to provide written notice to the buyer or recipient containing certain information. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual, from the sale of hearing aids. Effective 12/31/2050. Sunsets 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RARE DISEASES.

Establishes a Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Department of Health to advise the State on the needs of rare disease patients.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE.

Requires the University of Hawaii to grant the resident tuition fee for enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus to individuals who have graduated from a Hawaii high school and are enrolling in an undergraduate degree program, under certain conditions. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RELIEF FUNDING.

Amends the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund by allowing the Board of Regents to dedicate funding for student aid in direct response to an emergency or disaster, as declared by the Governor. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MOBILITY MANAGEMENT.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Mobility Management, established pursuant to Act 214, SLH 2013, in consultation with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Executive Office on Aging and other stakeholder groups.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat