Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Provides that the period of limitations for criminal prosecutions under campaign finance laws commences upon discovery of the offense by the Campaign Spending Commission, rather than being limited to five years from the violation date or report filing date.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO VOTING.

Authorizes state agencies to implement automatic voter registration if designated by the Office of Elections. Requires eligible applicants for instruction permits, provisional licenses, driver's licenses, and identification cards to be automatically registered or preregistered to vote unless the applicant opts out. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Requires the State Auditor to conduct audits of Medicaid health care insurance contractors and the Department of Human Services and its Med-QUEST division at least once every two years, with the first audits to be conducted by 1/1/2027, and the reports to be submitted no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2027. Requires the Auditor to conduct audits. Appropriates funds.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts gross income from real property leases from the general excise tax when the lessee is a small business. Makes conforming amendments.

Joe GedeonRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes the Hawaii Farm TEAM Card Program. Establishes penalties for misusage of the Hawaii Farm TEAM Card program. Eliminates the general excise tax for qualifying agricultural materials.

Joe GedeonRepublican

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Designates pricing practices based on surveillance data as unfair or deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition in the conduct of any trade or commerce.

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes a Hilo-Kona transportation pilot program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study, plan, evaluate, implement, and trial transportation routes and services connecting Hilo and Kona. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to conduct a study on effective treatment methods to reduce populations of the Queensland Longhorn Beetle. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ESSENTIAL PERMITTING POSITIONS.

Establishes a four-year pilot program to improve the speed, accountability, and quality of permit processing through targeted staffing, performance incentives, and interdepartmental competition within participating counties. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Increases the number of enterprise zones that may be nominated by each county. Authorizes enterprise zone designation for census tracts that contain the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Allow businesses not established in an enterprise zone to qualify for enterprise zone benefits; provided that they have entered into a binding collaboration or contract with a business that is established in the census tract that contains the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine or the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FOURTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the fourth representative district.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as "Hawaii Care", to provide comprehensive health care benefits to all state residents and eventually replace all existing health care plans in the State. Designates the Hawaii Health Authority as the responsible agency for the comprehensive planning, implementation, and administration of Hawaii Care. Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop and submit a comprehensive implementation and administration plan to the legislature by a certain date. Establishes the Hawaii Care special fund. Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to adopt rules and submit reports to the Legislature. Requires the Governor to appoint members to the Hawaii Health Authority by 12/31/2026. Requires the Department of Human Services to apply for necessary federal waivers. Takes effect 180 days after the approval of the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan and necessary federal waivers. Appropriates funds.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Prohibits a financial risk-bearing entity from administering Medicaid services. Requires the Department of Human Services to contract with one or more administrative services organizations to perform non-risk administrative functions for the operation of the State's Medicaid program. Requires the Department to establish a Medicaid Care Coordination Program to contract with community-based programs to provide care coordination services. Requires physicians, other independent practitioners, hospitals, and other institutional providers to be paid or reimbursed directly by the State's medicaid agency. Requires the Department to establish regional health hubs in each county to serve as localized oversight bodies. Requires the Department to convene a Medicaid Stakeholder Advisory Group to support continuous improvement throughout the transition period. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriate funds.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE COVERAGE OF PROTON BEAM THERAPY.

Beginning, 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for medically necessary proton beam therapy for cancer treatment and prohibits imposing stricter clinical evidence standards on proton beam therapy than on other radiation treatments.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES.

Establishes the sugar-sweetened beverage fee program. Beginning 7/1/2027, imposes a 2 cent per fluid ounce fee on all sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the State and requires all distributors of sugar-sweetened beverages to register with the Department of Health. On or after 6/30/27, prohibits retailers from selling or displaying for sale any sugar-sweetened beverage acquired from a distributor that is not registered with the Department of Health. Requires management and performance audits. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes the Healthy Ohana Advisory Committee. Appropriates funds.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES VIII AND X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE ON RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Proposes amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution to repeal the counties' exclusive power to tax real property, and to authorize the Legislature to establish a state surcharge on real property taxes levied by the counties on certain residential investment properties, for the purpose of helping to fund public education for all of Hawaii's children and adults. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ESTATE AND GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX.

Establishes an unrealized gains surcharge on certain property transfers subject to the estate and generation-skipping transfer tax. Except for certain types of properties within estates, lowers the applicable exclusion amount allowed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX HAVEN ABUSE.

Part I: Effective 1/1/2027, requires corporations to include in their income the income of all foreign subsidiaries to the State; applies the State's apportionment formula to determine the share of reported profits subject to the appropriate tax, which shall be deposited into the state general fund; and requires corporations to report all profits, losses, revenues, and inter-company transactions made and all taxes paid in other states. Part II: Establishes within DOTAX a Corporate Tax Law Task Force to annually review the State's corporate tax laws and recommend updates to close tax loopholes.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Disallows the dividends paid deduction for real estate investment trusts.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO BUILDING MATERIALS.

Specifies that no state or county building code shall prohibit the use of hempcrete as a non-structural building material. Authorizes building officials to approve hempcrete construction that meets applicable safety and performance standards. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, the Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program within the Department of Law Enforcement to provide retention bonuses to Department law enforcement officers for three years. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Establishes a framework for the use of intelligent speed assistance technology for habitual speeders. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Statutorily establishes the Agricultural Statistics Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the filing thresholds for the General Excise Tax and Transient Accommodations Tax. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPLEX PATIENT TREATMENT.

Appropriates funds to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health to contract with community-based organizations for a behavioral health complex patient model. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes positions and appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to support health care workforce development in the State. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO CANCER.

Repeals the requirement that a certain amount received from the cigarette tax on the wholesale price of each article or item of certain tobacco products deposited into the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund must be used for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO PHARMACY.

Establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts. Establishes the pharmacist workforce assessment fee. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires a condominium association to deposit at least ten per cent of all revenues for each fiscal year, except for estimated replacement reserve assessments, into the total replacement reserves fund of the association. Requires the Real Estate Commission to enforce the minimum deposit requirement and allows unit owners to file complaints with the Commission. Holds board members who fail to comply with the minimum deposit requirement personally liable and subject to a fine.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

Requires the driver of a vehicle to stop for a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk and not to proceed until the pedestrian has completely exited the crosswalk and the driver can safely proceed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Defines compounded prescription drugs for the purposes of workers' compensation law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, removes the two-year limitation on the recoupment of overpayments and limits the amount of overpaid amount and the penalty assessment amount that can be deducted from future benefits payable to the individual. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to assess and collect a service charge for dishonored unemployment insurance assessments. Beginning 4/1/2027, specifies that employers must report separation and wage information within five calendar days of notice being sent, whether by mail or electronic notification. Beginning 4/1/2027, increases the penalty for failure to report separations or wages and for failure to file or for filing insufficient wage reports. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO IMMUNIZATIONS.

Requires, rather than authorizes, schools to provide an exemption from required immunizations. Specifies that for purposes of the Department of Health's rulemaking authority and authority regarding infectious and communicable diseases, no child shall be subjected to medical examination, vaccination, revaccination, or immunization if a parent or legal guardian objects based on bona fide religious tenets and practices.

Sam Satoru KongDemocrat

RELATING TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Office of Youth Services to establish a five-year Youth Housing Stability Assistance Pilot Program to enter into contracts with nonprofit organizations or execute memoranda of agreement with government agencies to support eligible youth with financial assistance. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/2031. (SD1)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a program for the support of students experiencing homelessness. Requires the Department to designate a state coordinator position and state navigator positions to implement the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.

Authorizes and appropriates moneys for the Board of Psychology to grant prescriptive authority privilege to clinical psychologists who meet specific education, training, and registration requirements. Requires the Board of Psychology to accept applications for prescriptive authority privilege beginning 7/1/2027. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Establishes mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for certain class A felonies involving firearms. Changes from a class B felony to a class A felony the penalty for owning, possessing, or controlling any firearm or ammunition while being prosecuted for or having been convicted of committing a felony, a crime of violence, a criminal offense relating to firearms, or an illegal sale or distribution of any drug. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class A felony the penalty for ownership, possession, control, or transfer of ownership of any firearms or ammunition by a person who a court order has restrained from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing any person. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class A felony the penalty for carrying a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance. Establishes possession of methamphetamine while carrying a firearm as a class A felony.

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRANTS.

Establishes a five-year pilot program to authorize the Department of Education to rehire retired teachers and educational officers for hard-to-staff positions. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Authorizes each county that has established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015 to extend the surcharge until 12/31/2045 at the same rates if the county does so before 1/1/2028. Provides that no county surcharge on state tax authorized for a county that has not established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015, shall be levied before 1/1/2019 or after 12/31/2045. Repeals certain conditions on the use of surcharges received from the State for counties having a population equal to or less than 500,000 that adopt a county surcharge on state tax.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Establishes a gradient penalty structure for the offense of hindering prosecution in the first degree, based on the level of offense hindered.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Establishes a class C felony penalty for the unlawful possession, control, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition in violation of a valid judicial protective order or restraining order.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

Establishes appropriate sanctions for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Reestablishes the cesspool upgrade, conversion, or connection income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRANTS.

Authorizes the rehiring of retirants for positions that are unique and critical to operations. Limits the duration of each retirant's reemployment to 4 years.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSING.

Requires that state and county firefighters exempt from commercial driver licensure be subject to an alcohol and substance abuse policy for employees that is equivalent to, or exceeds the provisions of, the safety and health standards established by the United States Department of Transportation for holders of commercial driver's licenses.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO BRIBERY.

Establishes heightened penalties for the offense of bribery under certain circumstances.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Amends the offense of promoting a controlled substance in, on, or near schools, school vehicles, public parks, or public housing projects or complexes to include homeless facilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat