Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Repeals a provision in Act 4, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, that prohibits the Department of Human Services from taking any action to remove pharmaceutical benefits management from managed care plans that provide health care coverage for Hawaii Medicaid beneficiaries. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Prohibits discrimination against a pharmacy or pharmacist with respect to participation, referral, reimbursement of a covered service, or indemnification. Establishes beneficiary cost sharing and deductible requirements for prescription drugs. Establishes minimum rates for which pharmacy benefit managers are to reimburse pharmacies for dispensing prescription drugs. For prescription drug benefit plans executed, amended, adjusted, or renewed on or after 7/1/2027, requires a pharmacy benefit manager to use pass-through pricing, or may alternatively use spread pricing if any savings realized by the pharmacy benefit manager are passed on.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in the name of the people of the State as parens patriae against any responsible party to recover certain costs or obtain certain relief, including costs and losses incurred by the Hawaii Property Insurance Association, Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or other state entities, resulting from climate attributable harm or costs for risk of future climate attributable harm. Authorizes the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or any private insurer licensed in the State to bring a civil cause of action against a responsible party to recover its costs and losses resulting from climate attributable harm.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO EVICTION RECORDS.

Limits public access to summary possession records on the Judiciary's publicly accessible electronic databases unless and until a writ of possession is issued.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Increases the matching fund payments to candidates in the partial public financing program for excess qualifying contributions.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO MICROENTERPRISE HOME KITCHENS.

Authorizes microenterprise home kitchens to prepare and sell food directly to consumers without food establishment permits or routine inspections, subject to consumer disclosure and basic food safety requirements. Clarifies that microenterprise home kitchens are not food establishments or food processing establishments. Authorizes the Department of Health to conduct investigations on operators and microenterprise home kitchens in response to complaints, foodborne illness outbreaks, and imminent threats to public health. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC TRUST RESOURCES.

Establishes a hierarchy of duty for public trust resources to be applicable to the decisions made by the Department of Land and Natural Resources in the management of the State's public natural resources.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO ISLAND BURIAL COUNCILS.

Transfers the appointment authority for Island Burial Council members from the Governor and Senate to the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO CLEAN WATER.

Preserves, as state law, water quality, permitting, and aquatic resource protections that are at least as protective as federal Clean Water Act regulations and standards in effect as of January 1, 2026, and ensures their continued applicability regardless of subsequent federal amendments, repeals, or reductions.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM-EDUCATION PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and the Department of Health to continue their implementation of the Hawaii Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kim Coco IwamotoDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE X OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to decentralize the public education system in the State by establishing county school districts for the establishment, operation, and funding of public schools, and to authorize the boards of those school districts to initiate and carry on any programs, activities, or otherwise act in any manner that is not in conflict with any law.

Kim Coco IwamotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MILITARY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the Military and Community Relations Office to strengthen intergovernmental coordination for military and defense activities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Clarifies state and local authority during a state or local state of emergency. Adds a definition of "severe weather warning". Allows the Legislature to terminate a state of emergency and city councils to terminate a local state of emergency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

Allows the Department of Human Services to administer and provide public assistance to eligible residents of the State during a Governor-declared state of emergency. Allows the Department of Human Services to expend funds from the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in Hawaii, to begin with the 2028 general election year. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS.

Requires board members of a condominium association to complete a board training and education course approved by an accredited third party organization, to be selected by the Real Estate Commission and paid for through funds in the Condominium Education Trust Fund.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Amends the Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit by: Limiting claims for certain solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems and installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $175,000 or less if filing as an individual, $262,500 or less if filing as a head of household, or $350,000 or less if filing jointly; increasing the maximum adjusted gross income an individual taxpayer must be below in order to be eligible to have any excess credits refunded and limiting credit refundability to systems that are not third-party financed systems; and prohibiting a taxpayer from claiming a credit for a renewable energy technology system installed and placed in service on a residential property where the taxpayer has claimed a credit in prior taxable years. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 1/1/2029. (SD2)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. Expands reporting requirements of the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator to include reporting on the grid-ready home interconnection process. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC ENERGY.

Requires all electric utilities to provide transparent customer bill impact analyses that are accessible to the public in an electronic format reasonably usable by ratepayers. Establishes requirements for bill impact analyses. Requires electric utilities to submit annual reports to the Public Utilities Commission. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

Clarifies that, for electric utilities, "performance-based incentives" include revenue adjustment mechanisms, cost control mechanisms, rewards for superior performance, and penalties for subpar performance. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to adopt alternative ratemaking procedures to establish electric utility rates and performance-based incentives. Requires the Commission to apply a presumption in favor of considering historical cost trends and external indices that reflect incentives to control costs if the Commission resets an electric utility's allowed revenues based on consideration of the utility's costs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires newly installed or modified individual wastewater systems that are near the shoreline or on highly porous soils to include denitrification capacity. Requires the Department of Health to reduce requirements for disposal systems connected to wastewater systems with denitrification capacity. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO RECORDS.

Removes outdated requirements and formats for plans filed with the registrar's office. Updates permissible drawing scales used in plans. Clarifies that statutory filing fees are set pursuant to the rules adopted by the Department of Accounting and General Services. Repeals obsolete terms such as "blueprint." Authorizes the Department of Accounting and General Services to approve the format of plans.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score, except the summary of scores, during a debriefing requested by a non-selected offeror. Authorizes the disclosure of a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score after a protest is resolved and the contract is executed.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL SERVICE EXEMPT POSITIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES.

Permanently exempts certain positions within the Public Works Division, Special Project Branch, and the Comptroller's Office from state civil service law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS.

Clarifies and updates the sex trafficking and promoting prostitution criminal offense statutes by refining the definition of "profits from prostitution," establishing an affirmative defense to these offenses for certain lawful transactions, and making technical and other housekeeping amendments.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THEFT.

Requires a mandatory twelve-month minimum sentence of incarceration for a conviction of theft in the first degree when the value of the property or services stolen exceeds $250,000, whether imposed as a mandatory minimum sentence for an indeterminate term of imprisonment or as a condition of probation, in addition to any other authorized disposition such as restitution or a fine.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RETENTION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE.

Specifies the types of cases in which evidence must be retained post-conviction and the process by which evidence may be disposed of earlier than the standard period of retention, which includes a procedure for defendants to oppose the disposal of biological evidence by filing an objection with the court.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO COURT-ORDERED PAYMENTS.

Requires the Judiciary to contract with a collection agency or licensed attorney to collect delinquent court-ordered fees, fines, sanctions, and court costs. Clarifies the collection and prioritization of court-ordered fees, fines, and restitution. Establishes procedures for proof of compliance hearings and consequences for nonpayment. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

Permanently exempts specified positions of the Department of the Attorney General and its administratively attached Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission from civil service and for certain positions from collective bargaining. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TOBACCO ENFORCEMENT.

Clarifies that untaxed tobacco products are subject to forfeiture as contraband, without regard to the procedures set forth in Hawaii's asset forfeiture law in the same manner as untaxed cigarettes. Confirms the authority of the Department of Taxation and the Department of the Attorney General to inspect and seize tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices and e-liquids. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace existing chapters related to advance health care directives and advance mental health care directives.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION.

Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Clarifies the scope of treatment allowable under orders for assisted community treatment. Requires the Department of the Attorney general to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of any request for a court or administrative order authorizing treatment over the objection of certain patients.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PERSONNEL.

Updates state position titles by changing "private secretary" to "executive assistant" and "secretary" to "administrative assistant," where applicable.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications. Repeals the sunset date for Act 92, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Clarifies the Rental Housing Revolving Fund statute by defining "mixed-income rental projects" to establish consistent eligibility and use of appropriations for mixed-income rental housing projects. Clarifies that mixed-income rental projects are primarily for households at or below one-hundred-forty per cent of the area median income, allowing participation by higher-income households. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to transfer funds between the Rental Housing Revolving Fund into the mixed-income subaccount to support eligible mixed-income projects, without legislative approval. Repeals the sunset date in Act 159, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, thereby making these provisions permanent. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE THE POTENTIAL OF UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of underground energy resources through the use of slim-hole bores and requires a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Requires a report to the legislature. Appropriates funds.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Requires disclosure of the names of compensated officers of state and county contractors and grantees. Prohibits the compensated officers of certain state and county contractors and grantees from making, promising, or soliciting certain campaign contributions for the duration of the contract or grant. Provides that, for contributions received through a third-party payment processor website, whether received by check or directly deposited to the candidate or noncandidate committee, the date the contributor executes the transaction on the third-party payment processor website shall be deemed the date of receipt and the date of acceptance for campaign finance reporting and compliance requirements. Clarifies that monetary contributions and other campaign funds shall be deposited within 14 days of their physical receipt in a depository institution. Requires unlawful contributions to be returned to the contributor within 30 calendar days of receipt or escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. Clarifies that where a violation of the prohibition against contributions and expenditures by lobbyists during legislative session occurs because of the acceptance or agreement to accept a prohibited contribution, and the contribution is by check, the date of violation shall be the date of the receipt of the check and not the date of deposit. Appropriates moneys. (SD3)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

Requires notification to the security forces of each branch of the military when a protective order is issued in a case involving a military-affiliated individual. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Expands the allowable uses of Hawaii Technology Development Corporation grant funds to include providing grants to applicants for qualifying federal research and development awards and matching funds for recipients of those awards and related contracts.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII FILM STUDIO.

Provides an exemption to dispositions of lands set aside for film studio and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources pursuant to section 171-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, thus streamlining the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's use of the Hawaii film studio for filming activity and other film-related business in order to more efficiently develop Hawaii's film, media, and creative industries.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII FILM AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL FUND.

Expands the funding sources of the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund to include reveneues received by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from managing the Hawaii Film Studio.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FILM PRODUCTION.

Adds the marketing and promotion of film productions filmed in the State as a power of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MOTION PICTURE, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND FILM PRODUCTION INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Increases the qualified production credit from twenty-two per cent to twenty-seven per cent in any county of the State with a population of over seven hundred thousand and twenty-seven per cent to thirty-two per cent in any county of the State with a population of less than seven hundred thousand. Lifts the per production cap of $17,000,000 for productions with qualified expenditures of $60,000,000 per project. Increases the annual cap to $60,000,000 from $50,000,000 for the total amount of the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit allowed under section 235-17, HRS, and extends the sunset date of the tax credit to January 1, 2038. Clarifies and amends the requirement for an independent third-party certification and expands the definition of "qualified production" to include streaming platforms for the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit. Includes a definition of "streaming platform".

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO AMBULANCES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State. Effective 1/31/2050. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Repeals the sunset date of Act 163, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023.

David Alcos IIIRepublican

RELATING TO ENERGY ASSISTANCE.

Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist eligible households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide certain information and assistance to recipients of the program. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.

David Alcos IIIRepublican

RELATING TO FOOD PRICING.

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on how other states regulate price gouging of food products.

David Alcos IIIRepublican