Bills & Legislation

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE, ITS OFFICERS, OR ITS EMPLOYEES.

Makes appropriations and approves payments for claims against the State, its officers, and its employees. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Part I: Renames the Department of Agriculture as the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Department) and the Board of Agriculture as the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Part II: Establishes a Deputy Chairperson for Biosecurity. Part III: Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Part IV: Authorizes the Department to establish transitional facilities. Requires the Department to certify and train biosecurity compliance auditors to inspect imported plants and animals. Requires inspection of various items transported interisland. Increases penalties for illegally transporting plants, animals, and microorganisms. Part V: Authorizes the Department to enter into government‑industry agreements for readiness and response to unwanted organisms in the State. Authorizes biosecurity and pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests. Requires the Department to establish a pest dashboard by 12/1/2025. Part VI: Authorizes the Department to adopt rules to establish and enforce the Plant Care Component Program. Authorizes the Department to assess administrative penalties for the enforcement of the Plant Care Component Program. Part VII: Transfers the Hawaii Invasive Species Council from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department. Part VIII: Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Expands existing crisis intervention programs by requiring, and appropriating funds for, the Department of Health to establish a Homeless Triage and Treatment Center Program within its Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division to serve homeless individuals and individuals at risk of homelessness with substance abuse issues or mental illness. Requires the Crisis Intervention and Diversion Services Program to redirect certain homeless persons to the appropriate health care system and services. Authorizes the program to include intensive mobile outreach services. Requires appropriations for the program to be used only for services contracted directly between the Department of Health and the service provider. (CD1)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Prohibits any vehicle from parking within certain distances of crosswalks and intersections, regardless of the presence or absence of official signs or curb markings, with certain exemptions. Deposits fines collected from street parking restrictions into the Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund. Takes effect 1/1/2026. (CD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING.

Establishes a state reserved parking space enforcement fine for the unauthorized use of parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities or electric vehicles. Deposits fifty percent of all fines into the general fund and fifty percent of all fines into the Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund. Specifies that a fine shall not be imposed on a person who parks in a space designated and marked as reserved for electric vehicles if the electric vehicle charging system is visibly inoperable or broken. (CD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.

Authorizes the use of motorcoaches, small buses, and vans for school bus services if certain conditions are met. (CD1)

LA CHICA

RELATING TO RESTAURANTS.

Prohibits third-party restaurant reservation services from advertising, listing, promoting, facilitating, enabling, or selling restaurant reservations without first obtaining a written agreement from the applicable restaurant authorizing the action. Establishes a private cause of action for civil remedies. (CD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WOMEN'S COURT.

Permanently establishes the Women's Court Program in the First Circuit. Establishes a temporary two-year Women's Court Pilot Program within the Kona division of the Third Circuit. Requires reports. Establishes a temporary position. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2027. (CD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Part I: Establishes requirements for kauhale projects, including reporting requirements by the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions (OHHS). Requires the Auditor to conduct a management and performance audit of the kauhale initiative. Appropriates funds for the continued operation of the kauhale initiative. Part II: Establishes the Ohana Zones Program as a permanent program within OHHS. Appropriates funds to DHS for the continued implementation of the Ohana Zones Pilot Program. Part III: Requires OHHS to submit a report every four months to the Legislature detailing the expenditure of funds appropriated toward the kauhale and ohana zones initiatives and conduct a comprehensive needs assessment. Part IV: Changes references to the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to "Coordinator on Homelessness". Specifies that the Coordinator on Homelessness shall report directly to the Director of Human Services. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.

Beginning 7/1/2026, authorizes the State Historic Preservation Division to contract its review of proposed state projects and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants under certain circumstances. Establishes requirements for qualified third-party consultants providing review services. Requires the project proponent to pay the reasonable fee requirements of the third-party consultant. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to publish a draft of its proposed rules and later present its proposed final rules to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

Clarifies that Act 130, SLH 2024, which amended the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, takes effect on the earlier of the date of the Secretary of the Interior's notification letter that Act 130 does not require congressional approval, or on the date that the United States Congress approval becomes law. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Amends the definition of "registered for work" or "registration for work" under the Hawaii Employment Security Law. Repeals the requirement to post work availability online. Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive certain unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, permits electronic notification of determinations or redeterminations of unemployment claims. Repeals language that limited an individual's ability to change a previously elected withholding status to once during a benefit year. (SD2)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION.

Establishes provisions relating to civil remedies for discriminatory reporting to a law enforcement officer. Provides that any person who causes a law enforcement officer to contact a person on the basis of the person's actual or perceived protected class with the intent to discriminate against the person shall be civilly liable. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement, in consultation with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, to provide guidance to the public on the enactment of this Act. For purpose and intent of the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission law, adding "place of birth" as a protected class. Effective 9/1/2025. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Part I: Authorizes DOH to inspect qualifying patient medical records held by the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or hospice provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient. Amends and adds definitions for purposes of the medical use of cannabis law. Clarifies the conditions of use for the medical use of cannabis. For purposes of issuing written certifications, authorizes the establishment of a provider-patient relationship via telehealth and limits the maximum amount of fees that can be assessed by providers. Authorizes the sale of hemp products and accessories for the medical use of cannabis at retail dispensing locations, except in waiting rooms. Clarifies transportation requirements for certain inter-dispensary sales of cannabis and manufactured cannabis products. Part II: Establishes criminal penalties for the unlicensed operation of a medical cannabis dispensary. Part III: Authorizes expenditures from the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund to fund programs for the mitigation and abatement of nuisances related to illegal cannabis and hemp products and medical cannabis dispensaries and appropriates funds from the Special Fund to the AG's Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit for these purposes, including establishing positions. Part IV: Beginning 1/1/2028, prohibits the cultivation of cannabis without a cannabis cultivator license issued by DOH. (CD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING.

Authorizes the counties to adopt ordinances to enforce the accessible parking space requirements for parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities and electric vehicles. (CD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ALA WAI CANAL.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the development of an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to help with debris management and water quality control in the Ala Wai watershed and establishment of two graduate assistant positions to assist with the action plan and pre-engineering concept plan. (CD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO PET INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, establishes a regulatory framework specifically for pet insurance based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Pet Insurance Model Act. (CD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Appropriates funds for the Judiciary for the fiscal biennium beginning 7/1/2025 and ending 6/30/2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESS YOUTH.

Makes the Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Program permanent within the Office of Youth Services. Requires the program to collaborate with certain state and county departments. Authorizes the Office of Youth Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide shelters for homeless youth or young adults. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO REMEDIES.

Clarifies that the statute of repose applies to contract, tort, and statutory claims. Clarifies the required contents of a notice of claim of a construction defect served on a contractor. Clarifies the process and time frame by which a claimant may accept or reject a contractor's offer to settle and authorize repairs. Clarifies the mediation process for construction defect claims. Clarifies the statute of limitation or repose for construction defect claims. (CD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM.

Expands the Preschool Open Doors Program's eligibility criteria. Repeals the requirement that Preschool Open Doors Program providers be accredited. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Repeals the construction cost component of school impact fees. Exempts government housing developments, affordable housing units and projects, and Hawaiian home lands housing from school impact fees. Requires the School Facilities Authority to adopt rules governing fee collection. Increases the minimum number of units in a development to trigger land dedication provisions of the land component impact fee. Requires a report to the Legislature on program efficacy. Sunsets 7/1/2029. (CD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM.

Requires budget summaries to contain all required information without referring the reader to other portions of the budget. Clarifies a unit owner's ability to enforce compliance with budget summary and replacement reserves requirements. (CD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIGARETTE TAXES.

Beginning 1/1/2026, increases the cigarette tax from 16 cents to 18 cents and amends the disposition of cigarette tax revenues by allocating the increase in the cigarette tax amount to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a portion to be used exclusively for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Effective 12/31/2025. (CD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA.

Prohibits the use of certain words and misleading Hawaiian imagery, place names, and motifs on the label of a consumer package that contains or includes tea or dried leaves from the plant Pipturus albidus, unless 100 per cent of the tea or dried leaves were cultivated, harvested, and dried in the State. Appropriates funds for a Measurement Standards Inspector position. (CD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO GUARDIANSHIP AND CONSERVATORSHIP SERVICES.

Establishes a two-year pilot program in the Probate Court and Family Court of the First Circuit to fund certain guardianship- and conservatorship‑related court resources in situations where the respondent does not have sufficient funds to pay for one or more of the resources and the court has deemed the resource or resources beneficial. Requires the Judiciary to submit reports to the Governor and Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPENSATION FOR COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL.

Increases the rate of compensation and maximum allowable amounts per case for court-appointed counsel in criminal proceedings. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO WINDSHIELD TINTING.

Prohibits a person from installing, mounting, adhering, affixing, or using any sun screening device in conjunction with the glazing material of a motor vehicle with mirrored or high reflective finishes that produce a red, yellow, amber, or blue appearances from the exterior. Requires all drivers and passengers of motor vehicles with applied tint to fully roll down their windows when stopped by a law enforcement officer at a traffic stop, with certain exceptions. Clarifies the light transmittance levels on sun screening devices used in conjunction with glazing material for front side windows and wing windows. Exempts rear windows, including rear windshields on certain vehicles, and side windows to the rear of the driver on sedans from sun screening device requirements. Increases the minimum and maximum fines for violating sun screening device requirements. Specifies that failure of an installer to issue a required certificate to be a violation of sun screening device requirements. Makes the absence of the required certificate in a vehicle prima facie evidence that an installer is noncompliant with the law. (CD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Prohibits the use of license plate flipping devices. Prohibits the obstruction of a license plate. Establishes minimum and maximum fines. (CD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Establishes various criminal offenses and penalties related to fireworks or articles pyrotechnic. Amends multiple definitions and penalties for fireworks offenses, including heightened penalties if another person suffers substantial bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death as a result of the fireworks offenses. Adds fireworks infractions to the existing adjudication of infractions process for traffic and emergency period infractions. (CD2)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATED TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires manufactured hemp product distributors and manufactured hemp product retailers to obtain a certificate of registration from DOH. Establishes the offense of unlawful hemp distribution or retailing. Specifies the authority to inspect businesses engaged in the distribution and sale of, and authority to seize or confiscate, products containing or derived from hemp. Prohibits the sale of tinctures to persons under twenty-one years of age. Specifies that the offense of unlawful hemp distribution or retailing is subject to nuisance abatement proceedings. Establishes that a violation of the hemp processor laws constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice and unfair method of competition subject to a civil penalty. Allows funds in the Hawaii Hemp Processing Special Fund to be used by DOH for the registry of manufactured hemp product distributors and retailers. Authorizes the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation to administer the hemp processors program. Establishes that every building, premises, or place used for the purpose of violating the hemp processors law is a nuisance subject to abatement. (CD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Establishes the Performing Arts Grants Program and Performing Arts Grants Special Fund to support performing arts in the State. Clarifies the scope of the SFCA's responsibilities to include the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. Amends the funding sources for the State Art Museum. Amends the amounts required to be transferred into, including an annual transfer amount and the allowable expenditures from, the Works of Art Special Fund. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund, and sunsets the Subaccount on 6/30/2030. Requires the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board to consider the infrastructure needs of transit-supportive density requirements. Requires the strategic plan developed by the Hawaii Interagency Council for Transit-Oriented Development to delineate transit-oriented development areas for each county. (CD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO QUALIFIED COMMUNITY REHABILITATION PROGRAMS.

Clarifies that the civil service exemption for personal service contracts for building, custodial, and grounds maintenance services with qualified community rehabilitation programs shall not cost more than $3,000,000, in the aggregate per private person or entity, regardless of the number of contracts or qualified community rehabilitation programs utilized for the personal service. (CD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes an appropriation for the public employment cost items and cost adjustments for employees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and various legislative agencies who are excluded from collective bargaining. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SOCIAL SERVICES.

Increases the domiciliary care rates for certain providers and clarifies that the needs allowance and domiciliary care rates are included in the state supplemental payment ceiling amounts. Effective 10/1/2025. (CD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO MIDWIVES.

Makes laws regulating midwives and the practice of midwifery permanent. Clarifies the scope of practice of midwifery. Establishes licensure requirements for certified midwives and certified professional midwives. Establishes continuing education requirements. Grants global signature authority to midwives. Grants prescriptive authority to licensed midwives practicing as certified midwives and amends the list of approved legend drugs that may be administered by midwives. Establishes peer review and data submission requirements. Affirms that the practice of midwifery does not include Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices. Clarifies exemptions from licensure and grounds for refusal to grant, renew, reinstate, or restore licenses or for revocation, suspension, denial, or condition of a license. Clarifies medical record availability and retention requirements for the purposes of medical torts. (SD3)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT PROCEDURES.

Establishes the Simplifying Permitting for Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED) Task Force to identify actions taken, challenges encountered, and legislative measures necessary to facilitate, expedite, and coordinate state and intergovernmental development permit processes. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a Government Employee Housing Program within HHFDC, to be financed by the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds for the program. (CD1)

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Requires the Chief Election Officer to provide a system for the electronic filing of nomination papers. Requires that the system for the electronic filing of nomination papers be provided at no additional cost to the filer. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2028. (CD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease public lands for recreation-residence use by public lottery under certain conditions and restrict participation in the public lottery to residents of the county in which the leased land is located under certain conditions. (CD1)

Dee MorikawaDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Increases transparency and accountability surrounding property forfeiture. Clarifies which property is subject to forfeiture. Amends the authorized disposition of forfeited property and the proceeds thereof. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Repeals language that requires the Hawaii Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act to be construed liberally. (CD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (13) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (3) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.

Effectuates the recommendations of the "Phase 3" Forward-Looking Report by Fire Safety Research Institute on the 2023 Maui wildfires and further clarifies the appointment and role of the State Fire Marshal. Establishes the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes the State Fire Marshal Selection Commission. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Authorizes the Hawaii Community Development Authority to cooperate with or assist public and private sector entities to engage in projects that improve the State. Amends the membership of the HCDA board of directors. Establishes the Transit-oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement Program under HCDA. Repeals the Transit-oriented Development Infrastructure Improvement District Board. Authorizes HCDA to issue bonds to finance the development of infrastructure outside of HCDA's community development districts. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (4) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Units (1) and (10) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. (CD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat