Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.

Requires the State or a county to reimburse an officer or employee for work-related travel costs that the officer or employee loaned to the State or a county within 30 calendar days of submitting an approved Statement of Completed Travel with detailed expenditures and related receipts. Requires the State or a county to pay interest on a loan not reimbursed within 30 days until the loan is fully reimbursed. Obligates an officer or employee to request a complete refund from the travel vendor for travel not taken through no fault of their own, and entitles an officer or employee to reimbursement from the State or a county when a travel vendor offers no or a partial refund. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO INDEBTEDNESS TO THE STATE.

Repeals the requirement that the disbursing officer immediately begin recovery of the indebtedness regardless of a pending contested case. Amends the maximum amount that a disbursing officer may deduct from an employee's salary, wage, or compensation as recovery of an employee's indebtedness to 5% of the employee's gross income per pay period, with exceptions. Requires a written statement to be provided to the employee at least thirty calendar days before the deduction. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve any disciplinary action, unless prohibited by the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

Requires the Attorney General to establish a confidential process for persons to anonymously file complaints against public employees. Requires the Attorney General to review and forward the complaints to the department, board, commission, or agency deemed appropriate by the Attorney General. Requires the departments, boards, commissions, and agencies to process the complaint pursuant to their standard complaint-processing procedures and report the disposition to the Attorney General. Authorizes the Attorney General to adopt rules. Requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Amends the collective bargaining negotiation procedure on the repricing of classes within a bargaining unit for public employees. Establishes an impasse procedure to be applied when an employer fails to initiate the negotiation or the parties fail to reach an agreement within 90 days. Repeals existing law that requires a different impasse procedure to apply in those situations. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO PLANT-BASED FOOD AND DRINKS.

Requires the Departments of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Accounting and General Services, and Health to establish a Plant-Based-By-Default Program for food and drinks offered at state-operated prisons, state-licensed hospitals, and government-sponsored events. Requires annual reports to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSURE.

Requires marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, psychologists, and clinical social workers to complete courses related to domestic violence for licensure and renewals.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO ADDITIVES IN FOOD.

Beginning January 1, 2027, bans the manufacture, sale, offer of sale, or distribution in the State of any food for human consumption that contains petroleum-based synthetic food dyes and synthetic chemical additives. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Allows the raising of the building height limit for 2 of the 5 parcels owned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in the Kakaako Makai area to 400 feet. Lifts the current restriction against residential development on the 5 OHA-owned parcels in Kakaako Makai to allow residential development by OHA or by third parties to which OHA conveys the parcels. Requires OHA and any developer to provide written notice to any tenant or resident of potential aircraft related nuisances before entering into a lease, and to assess and propose mitigation efforts to address aircraft related nuisances in development plans and proposals.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO LUNG CANCER SCREENING.

Requires the Department of Health to develop by 12/31/2026, standardized educational materials relating to lung cancer screening and language on lung cancer screening information to be included in signage and written notices to be used by retailers of tobacco products. Beginning 1/1/2027, requires retailers engaged in the retail sale of tobacco products to display signage on lung cancer screening at each point of sale and provide written notice on lung cancer screening to each buyer of a tobacco product.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Prohibits the sale of nonprescription diet pills and dietary supplements for weight loss or muscle building to any person under eighteen years of age. Requires retail establishments and delivery sellers to follow certain protocols regarding certain products to prevent access by minors to the restricted products. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Implements a phased repeal of the state general excise tax on the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs in the State. Prohibits counties from establishing county surcharges on the state general excise tax on gross income or gross proceeds from the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs in the State. Prohibition on county surcharges to be repealed on 12/31/2030.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM.

Repeals provisions requiring all deposit beverage distributors to send monthly or semi-annual distribution reports and supporting records to the Department of Health; develop and submit to the program for approval, an internal control process to ensure accurate data reporting and adequate record maintenance; and obtain biennial independent audits.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Establishes certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SOLID WASTE POLLUTION.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt by 12/31/2027, rules setting forth performance and emission standards for large municipal waste combustor plants operating within the State, in compliance with proposed federal rules. Beginning 1/1/2028, requires large municipal waste combustor plants operating within the State to comply with the rules.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources from approving any land disposition to the United States military that allows for or facilitates any military training activities on the subject lands. Requires that any lease or lease extension between the State and the US Department of Defense or branches of the US military include certain provisions, including an acknowledgement that the State retains authority over all environmental matters within its jurisdiction. Provides that violation of state or federal environmental law, or any law, rule, or order on a matter affecting the health and safety of the State's residents, shall be grounds for terminating the lease.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

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

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Requires certain wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material intended for land application for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Director of Health to adopt rules for the monitoring, sampling, testing, and data collection of sewage sludge and other residual material at wastewater treatment works that contain PFAS. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

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. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE FUEL TANK ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Requires the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee to hold at least one regular meeting during each calendar quarter. Requires the Advisory Committee to hold one regular meeting each year that convenes outside of normal business hours. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Repeals biomass from the renewable portfolio standard definition of "renewable energy".

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS.

Requires state agencies that monitor environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels (EALs) to ensure the preservation of a safe environment. Prohibits modifications to EALs unless certain procedural requirements are met. Establishes a process to allow any resident to petition for modifications to an established EAL. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a School Bus Driver Recruitment Grant Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Recruitment Special Fund. Establishes a Repayment Signing Bonus Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Outreach and Pathway Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD CUSTODY.

Allows licensed mental health counselors to be appointed as child custody evaluators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE PLANS FOR WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, to establish and implement a five-year voluntary Nontraditional Workforce Portable Health Care Benefit Plan Pilot Program that offers high deductible health plans or catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers who are ineligible for health benefits provided by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund or prepaid health care plans under the Prepaid Health Care Act. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO CLAIMS AGAINST HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

Part II - Requires health care professionals, and courts and agencies in receipt of the filing, to report to the respective licensing board any legal or administrative complaint, claim, or action for damages filed against the health care professional within thirty days of receipt of the filing. Requires review by the licensing boards. Requires filings against physicians, osteopathic physicians, or podiatrists to be reported to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Requires self‑insured health care providers and professional liability insurers for health care providers to report to the Insurance Commissioner any medical tort claims filed with the court and requires the Insurance Commissioner to forward certain information to the appropriate professional board or the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Part III – Extends the time frame by which a medical tort action can be brought and establishes additional tolling conditions. Increases the cap on damages recoverable for pain and suffering in medical tort actions.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Establishes a three-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program to be administered by the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to subsidize the cost of certain health insurance deductibles for eligible individuals. Authorizes the Department to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program; provided that the Department shall allow the operator to access state-backed reinsurance or risk stabilization support for the operation of the Pilot Program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS.

Establishes a Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group within the Department of Health to assess the feasibility of allowing business owners in the State to utilize filtered water collected by water catchment systems for business activities. Requires the Business Activity Water Catchment System Working Group to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2028 and dissolve on 6/30/2028. Appropriates funds.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes a Teacher Workforce Housing Stipend Program at public schools classified as rural or underserved. Requires the Department of Education to administer the program and report findings to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Authorizes a person to remove their name from a certificate of registration from a motor vehicle if that person is party to a divorce decree that states that title to the motor vehicle was granted to the other party.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and conduct a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Program. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a report to the Legislature and adopt administrative rules. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLE TITLES.

Requires the county Director of Finance to issue a temporary, three-year title to an applicant in cases where no prior title exists, the prior owner is unable to provide one, or the Director is otherwise not satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle. Requires the applicant to provide a surety bond and certain documentation to the Director. Allows for a right of action against the surety bond and temporary title. Requires the temporary title to convert to a full title after three years unless a suit has been instituted against the temporary title.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services to assess the feasibility of offering a 20% discount on certain goods and services for the State's low- to moderate-income elders.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Clarifies that rules adopted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources pursuant to section 190-3, HRS, may regulate aquarium fish permits. Establishes a criminal penalty and monetary fines for aquarium fishing violations. Clarifies that each fish or aquatic life specimen taken in violation of certain fishing laws regarding aquarium fish and the possession and use of prohibited explosives, electrofishing devices, and poisonous substances constitutes a separate offense. (SD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLICITY RIGHTS.

Protects a person's right to publicity from digital replicas by including "digital replica" in the definition of "likeness" that is protected under state law that governs publicity rights. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST FENIX SPACE, INC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds for the planning, design, and construction of the Fenix Space launch platform system and Fenix Space Hilo flight operations facility.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER FLUORIDATION.

Requires certain suppliers of water in the State to adjust the fluoride levels in the supplier's public water system to meet the optimal fluoride level for community water fluoridation, as established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Requires suppliers to test water systems for fluoride levels, at intervals established by the state Department of Health. Requires the Department of Health to provide training to suppliers on the implementation of water fluoridation. Requires the Department of Health to submit annual reports to the Legislature.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Establishes the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to conduct a study, subject to legislative appropriation, on how to maximize housing development in transit-oriented development zones or other areas on state or county lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO COUNTY PERMITS.

Requires county permitting agencies to establish and fill positions exclusively to process permit applications submitted for state projects. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO COUNTY PERMITTING AND INSPECTION.

Establishes a cooperative working group to address state projects that require county permitting and to explore, research, and make recommendations on streamlining processes. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/19/2042. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts housing developments that have obtained financing commitments from the State or is located on state land from the requirement to obtain approval from the applicable county council. Effective 7/1/2050.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Establishes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Program as a permanent program to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to purchase equity in for-sale housing development projects for qualified residents of the State using moneys in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to lower the initial purchasing price. Establishes equity repayment requirements. Effective 6/29/2050.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Establishes within the Department of Accounting and General Services the Office of the State Architect, directed by a State Architect appointed by the Governor. Requires the State Architect to organize, manage, and oversee the design review of all state construction projects and issue design approvals for traditional design-bid-build state construction projects. Requires an annual report to the Governor and Legislature. Authorizes the Department of Accounting and General Services to oversee design review services for state construction projects and issue certain design approvals through the State Architect. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Revises the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund by modifying the priority list for project funding and adding new project priority criteria. Authorizes fund transfers between the Mixed-Income Subaccount without legislative approval. Authorizes conveyance tax revenues deposited into the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be transferred to the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits a law enforcement agency from entering into an agreement for the delegation of immigration enforcement authority to a state or county agency.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits law enforcement agencies from forming certain agreements with federal or out-of-state law enforcement agencies.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO SAFE COMMUNITIES.

Requires the Attorney General to designate safe community places. Prohibits employees at safe community places from providing voluntary consent to federal law enforcement agents for operations that identify or seek to identify apprehend, arrest, or impose any other penalty for activities protected by the First Amendment or immigration enforcement.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL RIGHTS.

Requires the Civil Rights Commission to establish a twenty-four-hour intake helpline to assist individuals who experience or witness civil rights violations in the State. Requires the Civil Rights Commission to compile an annual report and hold an annual public hearing on data obtained through the helpline. Requires the Civil Rights Commission to compile and submit to the Legislature, and post on its website, a monthly preliminary report on data obtained through the helpline. Appropriates funds to establish an unspecified number of Civil Rights Investigator, Data Analyst, and Program Manager positions within the Civil Rights Commission. Appropriates funds for the Civil Rights Commission to contract with Aloha United Way to implement the twenty-four-hour intake helpline and for website and data development costs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Removes discriminatory requirements for mandatory insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization procedures to create parity of coverage for same-sex couples, unmarried individuals, transgender persons, and opposite-sex couples for whom male infertility is the relevant factor. Requires the insured or the insured's dependent spouse to have a history of infertility of at least six months' duration, rather than five years. Includes need for medical intervention to conceive due to physiological or anatomical factors.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat