Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CRIME.

Specifies that the penalty for sex trafficking shall be payment of a fine of no less than $50,000 but no more than $100,000, and a definite term of imprisonment of up to 20 years without the possibility of a suspended sentence, probation, or parole. Provides that consent to sexual conduct is not a defense. Defines "sexual conduct". Provides that a minor who reports that the minor is a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the counties, before implementing any new mass transit fare or increasing any existing fare, to first seek revenues from alternative sources, including transit-based advertisements. Requires a county that decides, after seeking alternative revenue sources, to implement a new or increased mass transit fare to submit a justification report to the Department of Transportation. Requires the Department of Transportation to reject or approve the proposed new mass transit fare or fare increase within 30 days of receiving a county's justification report.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates funds to establish positions within the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO EXPLOSION DETECTION TECHNOLOGY.

Requires the county police departments to purchase and deploy explosion detection technology equipment to assist in the location of and response to explosions caused by the illegal use of firearms and fireworks. Appropriates moneys to the counties as a grant in aid.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO MOTOR CARRIER VEHICLES.

Repeals inspection requirements for motor carrier vehicles.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO A STATE PERMITTING OFFICE.

Establishes the State Permitting Office within the Department of Transportation to process building and infrastructure permits for construction of state-owned buildings, state roads and highways, and other construction on state lands. Appropriates moneys.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO BREAST CANCER SCREENING.

Expands mandatory health insurance coverage for low-dose mammography for occult breast cancer to include any supplemental imaging deemed medically necessary for a patient of any age having an above-average risk for breast cancer as determined by the use of a risk-factor modeling tool. On or before 1/1/2026, expands mandatory health insurance coverage to include additional supplemental imaging for any patient, regardless of age, as deemed medically necessary by the patient's primary care provider. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Accounting and General Services for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to develop and maintain a translation tool for the State's website.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO HAZARD PAY BONUS.

Appropriates funds for a one-time hazard pay bonus to state officers and employees in bargaining units 5, 6, and 7, and their excluded counterparts under certain conditions.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO SERVICE DISRUPTIONS.

Requires hotelkeepers to provide adequate notice of strikes and lockouts to guests and third-party vendors under certain conditions. Allows for recovery of damages by injured parties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Transit-Oriented Community Improvement Partnership within the Department of Transportation. Establishes the Community Improvement Special Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds into and out of the special fund for the partnership and positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Appropriate funds into and out of the Hawaii Historic Preservation Special Fund for the State Historic Preservation Division to inventory historic properties and burial sites in the State, collect data on burial site locations, and conduct an archaeological survey necessary to compile the inventory. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PERMITS.

Establishes an exemption from applicable county permit requirements for repetitive construction projects for facilities under the control of any state department or agency, under certain conditions. Clarifies that contracts for the construction, renovation, or repair of facilities under the control of the department of education, university of Hawaii, or school facilities authority shall be exempt from county permitting requirements that related off-site improvements be made by the contracting government agency as a condition to the issuance of any permit.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires each county, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation to establish a Summer Streets Pilot Program that closes vehicular traffic and repurposes roads for pedestrian and cyclist use, outdoor events, and other community-driven activities. Requires each county to submit an initial proposal to the Director of Transportation. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes the Electric Vehicle Charging System and Infrastructure Funding Program and allows the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount to expend funds for the Program. Increases the amount of petroleum tax to be deposited into the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount. Appropriates funds.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires, when planning and managing state highways, in certain areas to be determined by certain national standards. Establishes requirements for the State Highway Safety and Modernization Council. Authorizes the State Highway Safety and Modernization Council to select potential areas for the Department of Transportation to install additional photo red light imaging detector systems. Prohibits any vehicles from blocking marked crosswalks. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to implement additional automated speed enforcement systems in school zones as designated by the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee. Requires annual reports. Requires the Department of Transportation to collaborate with the Judiciary before any expansion of the photo red light imaging detector and automated speed enforcement systems. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ELEVENTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the eleventh senatorial district.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Requires the State to prioritize the installation of photo red light imaging detector systems in school zones if the State establishes a photo red light imaging detector system. Requires proceeds of fines collected for disregarding a steady red signal pursuant to a photo red light imaging detector system installed in a school zone to be deposited into the Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO FOREIGN CRITICAL ASSETS.

Limits foreign ownership of certain public and private utilities and companies controlling the State's critical infrastructure.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT.

Requires employers in the hospitality industry to implement anti-harassment measures, provide training, and equip certain workers with panic buttons. Prohibits retaliation against a hospitality worker who files a complaint, uses the provided panic button, or participates in an investigation or proceeding related to a harassment complaint. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules, including rules determining penalties and establishing procedures for handling complaints. Requires all hospitality employers to comply no later than 1/1/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SIXTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 6th senatorial district.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LAHAINA BYPASS.

Adds a special assessment to the Rental Motor Vehicle Surcharge Tax, sunsetting in 10 years, to fund revenue bonds for the Lahaina Bypass North. Includes payment of principal and interest of revenue bonds for the construction, operation, and maintenance costs of the Lahaina Bypass North as a permissible use of the State Highway Fund. Authorizes the issuance of general obligation and revenue bonds to fund the Lahaina Bypass North. Directs transient accommodations taxes collected from West Maui transient accommodations to fund the Lahaina Bypass North. Defines "West Maui". Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Allows captive insurance companies that are not risk retention captive insurance companies to apply to the Insurance Commissioner for certificates of exemption from examination if the captive insurance companies meet certain requirements.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC.

Transfers to the Department of Transportation one hundred per cent of the proceeds of the fines and forfeitures collected for uncontested traffic infractions committed within any county having a population of more than 150,000 but less than 175,000. Requires the proceeds to be deposited into a new county progress subaccount of the State Highway Fund, from which the DOT shall allocate moneys for the Lahaina Bypass North Project, and subsequently for state-designated critical highway projects within the county in which the uncontested traffic infractions were committed. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO MANUFACTURED HEMP PRODUCTS.

Allows any hemp processor with a permit from the Department of Health to: (1) Sell, hold, offer or distribute for sale edible manufactured hemp products in the form of a gummy or beverage; and (2) manufacture, hold, and sell a manufactured hemp product that exceeds the established tetrahydrocannabinol concentration limit with another state or country that allows the manufactured hemp product. Establishes child-proof and child-resistant packaging requirements for manufactured hemp products. Establishes penalties for certain manufactured hemp products and authorizes the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation to enforce compliance. Effective 1/1/2026.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire by condemnation any real property or interest in real property, under certain conditions. Prohibits any real property acquired by the Corporation by condemnation from subsequently being transferred or taken for any other public use without the Corporation's consent. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO PUMPED STORAGE HYDROPOWER.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to finance the planning, designing, and construction of a water pump storage hydroelectric facility in the Kohala Mountains on Hawaii Island. Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to conduct a feasibility study and report the results to the Legislature. Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement and submit an annual progress report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920, AS AMENDED.

Increases the limit of the State's liability from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000 for moneys borrowed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands or loans made to lessees that are guaranteed by the Department.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND TRANSFERS.

Authorizes the transfer of certain lands under the jurisdiction of certain state agencies to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX.

Increases the income tax rate on the highest income earners in the State by establishing a new tax bracket for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2029.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Establishes the Climate Change Adaptation Cost Recovery Program within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to secure compensatory payments from historically responsible parties that contributed to pollution, based on a standard of strict liability to provide a source of revenue for climate change adaptive infrastructure projects within the State. Establishes the Climate Change Adaptation Special Fund.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS.

Clarifies the statute of repose to make it clear that the statute applies to contract, tort, and statutory claims. Clarifies the required contents of a notice of claim of construction defect served on a contractor. Requires the claimant to provide actual evidence of the nature and cause of the construction defect and extent of necessary repairs, along with the notice of claim. Amends the process and time frame for a claimant to accept a contractor's proposal to inspect and authorize the contractor to proceed with repairs.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Human Services for direct payment to primary care physicians for services provided to Med-QUEST recipients.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO POWER OUTAGES.

Establishes requirements for compensation to utility customers following a power outage. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund Board of Trustees to negotiate with health insurance carriers to ensure that 12% of monthly premium payments are paid directly to primary care providers. Requires the Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division to allocate 12% of monthly premium payments directly to primary care providers.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Provides that after 12/31/2025, each new or renewed contract between a mutual benefit society and a physician for a fee for service plan shall provide for: (1) The reimbursement of the physician's increased overhead costs, cost of living increases, and increased costs caused by inflation; and (2) An increase of 10% in the reimbursement rate of services after each 5-year period that the physician is in service.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE USE OF INTOXICANTS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE.

Lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SEVENTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 7th senatorial district.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes that development of a fixed guideway system in a county having a population greater than 500,000 is a function of state government. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to develop a fixed guideway system in a county having a population greater than 500,000. Requires the Department of Transportation to transfer the fixed guideway system to the respective county upon completion. Transfers functions of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation to the Department of Transportation.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO THE STATE OF HAWAII FILM COMMISSION.

Establishes the Hawaii Film Authority within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and transfers the rights, powers, functions, and duties of the Hawaii Film Office to the Authority. Establishes the Hawaii Film Authority Board within the Hawaii Film Authority. Establishes the Film Industry and Development Special Fund. Renames the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund as the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund and excludes media and film from the definition of creative industries. Allows the Creative Industries Development Special Fund to be used for the support and development of facilities and other initiatives to grow the State's creative industries. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY CHARTER AIR SERVICES.

Requires the Air Carrier Commission to enter into a contract with a qualified charter air service provider to secure emergency air transportation services in cases of emergency when no other air service is available. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Repeals statutory requirements for certain housing projects to be eligible for loans from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Repeals certain statutory provisions for grants to developers for rental units eligible to be financed in part or in whole by the RHRF. Repeals statutory language requiring the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to establish an application process for RHRF allocation that prioritized projects meeting certain requirements. Renames the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to the State Housing Revolving Fund (SHRF). Clarifies eligible applicants of the SHRF. Authorizes the HHFDC to use funds from the SHRF for broader housing projects. Establishes the Housing Efficiency and Innovation Subaccount within the SHRF. Authorizes the HHFDC to transfer funds between the Housing Efficiency and Innovation Subaccount and the RHRF without legislative approval. Amends the criteria and eligibility requirements for applicant developers seeking assistance from the SHRF. Requires the HHDFC to maximize the amount of housing built that utilizes loans from the SHRF by prioritizing projects with the shortest projected loan repayment terms that produce the highest number of units, per dollar, per year. Repeals all other priorities and preferences for projects utilizing the RHRF. Establishes a working group to revise the State's Qualified Allocation Plan, the prioritization of the SHRF, and the terms of loans. Requires a report to the Legislature. Allocates ten per cent of conveyance tax collections to the DURF. Removes the annual cap on conveyance taxes paid into the SHRF.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII BEACH DAY.

Establishes Hawaii Beach Day. Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, to organize and support events and activities to celebrate and observe Hawaii Beach Day. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

Requires the Department of Health, in consultation with various agencies and professionals, to review rules and practices and propose changes that have the potential to make wastewater systems and cesspool upgrades more affordable without compromising water quality. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN.

Expands the authority of the Office of the Ombudsman by amending the definition of "administrative act" to include the lease of state agricultural lands.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AIR CARRIERS.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a three-year Molokai Air Carrier Subsidy Pilot Program to provide subsidies to airlines operating out of Molokai Airport. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

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 WATER RESOURCES.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the City and County of Honolulu for the planning, design, and construction of up to six monitoring wells, including a sentinel monitoring grid. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat