Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO WARNING LABELS.

Requires, beginning 7/1/2027, any carcinogenic food or product sold or distributed in the State to include a warning label, in a format determined by the Department of Health. Defines "carcinogenic" as a food, product, or chemical classified as group 1 or group 2A by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. Appropriates moneys.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

Prohibits the sale of raw ahi, including ahi poke or processed ahi, in retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

Limits moving violations arising from the operation of a motor vehicle that appear on traffic abstracts to those that resulted in convictions. Requires the Traffic and Emergency Period Violations Bureaus to remove all dismissed moving violations not resulting in a conviction from certified abstracts. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO TRANSPARENCY.

Requires under the State's wage compensation laws that food, beverage, and service establishments that accept tips and employ tipped employees post signs that include language explaining their tip allocation practices and the contact information for the Wage Standards Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Wage and Hours Division of the United States Department of Labor. Establishes back wages and penalties as available remedies for employees in the event of a violation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSITIONAL HOMES.

Establishes the Hawaii Efficient Transitional Homes Commission to provide recommendations for the efficient, effective, and transparent management of transitional homes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 1, SECTION 5, OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION RELATING TO DUE PROCESS AND EQUAL PROTECTION.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit discrimination against a person because of ethnicity, age, disability, religion, national ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Amends the administrative process at the Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office. Establishes a tiered administration revocation period of a driver's license for those arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Prohibits the collection, sale, or disclosure of any driver data that is obtained by a motor vehicle or other connected car service, feature, or application to any third-party without the explicit consent of the owner or lessee of the vehicle. Designates exemptions. Requires any disclosure notification for any data collection to be clear and conspicuous. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes a schedule of late fees to be added to the original unpaid claim amount if a health insurer, mutual benefit society, or health maintenance organization fails to pay a provider within the required time.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits covered entities in the State from entering into contracts with drug manufacturers that limit the covered entities' use of contract pharmacies. Voids contract provisions for certain drugs if the provisions are based on the maximum allowable cost payment model. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action for violations.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING ASSISTANCE.

Establishes the Emergency Home Loan Assistance Revolving Fund to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Establishes terms for loans issued from the Revolving Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide financial literacy curricula plan for public high schools. Requires all public high schools to offer instruction in financial literacy as a requirement for graduation. Requires the Department of Education to provide professional development to teachers on financial literacy. Requires the Board of Education to adopt administrative rules to implement the financial literacy education curriculum.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts from the state general excise tax any grants received from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund by an eligible business pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Requires the Department of Taxation to notify all taxpayers eligible for refunds of any state general excise tax paid for grants received from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund of their eligibility and requires taxpayers to file refund claims no later than six months following notification. Requires any state general excise taxes paid by eligible businesses for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants to be refunded to the taxpayer. Effective 7/1/3000. Applies retroactively to 3/11/2021. (HD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO TRESPASS.

Establishes the crime of criminal trespass on agricultural land. Prohibits persons being prosecuted for or convicted of the crime of criminal trespass on agricultural land from owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes a Teacher Workforce Housing Stipend Program to support teacher retention at public and charter schools classified as rural and underserved. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE-OWNED HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND INHERITED LANDS.

Establishes the State-Owned Historic Properties Preservation Plan Working Group within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to ensure the preservation of state-owned historic properties and inherited lands. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Extends the offense of false labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee to include roasted coffee. Imposes a mandatory $10,000 fine for each separate offense of false-labeling of Hawaii-grown roasted coffee. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY.

Prohibits the abortion of a fetus that is capable of feeling pain. Prohibits abortions by dismemberment. Provides certain exceptions. Establishes penalties.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement negotiated for Bargaining Unit (5), provides annual salary step increases for public school teachers and educational officers who have completed a year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO TOWING.

Requires towing truck operators to obtain a towing license. Establishes the Towing Authority within the Department of Transportation to issue towing licenses and regulate towing operations. Prohibits the act of vehicle mobilization without a valid towing license. Prohibits the counties from enacting ordinances that provide less consumer protections than state law. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO COMBAT SPORTS.

Establishes the Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii. Provides for regulation of combat sports. Prohibits no rules combat or similar contests. Repeals chapter 440E, HRS, relating to Mixed Martial Arts Contests. Appropriates funds.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for continued exploration and identification of geothermal resources and commercial viability for utility-scale geothermal production in counties with a population of less than 300,000, with certain limitations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL GRANTS.

Establishes the Conventional Farming Grant Program to be administered by the Department of Agriculture to provide grants to small and midsized farmers who practice conventional farming. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS.

Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Condominium Associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Updates the Condominium Property Act to integrate the role and functions of the ombudsman's office for condominium associations. Appropriates funds for establishment of the Ombudsman's Office for Condominium Associations.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO BURIAL SITES.

Establishes an inter-division program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources consisting of certain agencies to address the location, movement, and restoration of Hawaiian burial sites or ‘iwi, exposed or likely to be exposed by coastal erosion. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Transfers the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development for administrative purposes. Removes the manager of the Coastal Zone Management Program from the Commission. Adds a representative from the University of Hawaii to the Commission. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIME.

Specifies that the penalty for sex trafficking shall be payment of a fine of no less than $200,000 but no more than $500,000, 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". Specifies that a minor who commits an offense under section 712-1207(1)(a), HRS, shall be guilty of a violation instead of a petty misdemeanor. Provides that a person who reports that the person is a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability for an offense involving sex trafficking or prostitution. Increases the penalties for commercial sexual exploitation of a minor. Requires DHS to implement services and programs for survivors and training for law enforcement. Appropriates funds. Requires annual report.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO OAHU CORAL REEF RESILIENCE ENHANCEMENT.

Establishes bag limits for kala, nenue, and uhu fish around the island of Oahu. Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources to conduct population assessments of these fishes and report to the Legislature. Sunsets on 6/30/2035.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes an agroecological and climate-smart farming practices tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. (SD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

Establishes the Land Dedication for Agricultural Education program within the Department of Education. Requires the Department of Education to consult with the Department of Taxation to establish tax incentives for land developers who dedicate land for educational purposes. Requires the Department of Education to consult with the Department of the Attorney General to establish penalties. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO GREEN BONDS.

Establishes a Green Bonds Working Group within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SERVICE CHARGES.

Prohibits restaurants from imposing a mandatory gratuity service charge for the sale of food or beverage services unless the party includes ten or more customers, the service charge does not exceed eighteen per cent, and the customer is notified of the service charge.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT RECORDS.

Amends the Uniform Information Practices Act to require each contract to perform a government function to expressly require the contractor to retain records in accordance with the retention schedule of the agency and provide the agency with access to all records subject to the Uniform Information Practices Act; define "government function" and "trade secret"; clarify that "government record" includes information that is created, received, maintained, or used by a private person in performance of a government function contract; and prohibit agencies from denying a request for access to records of a contractor used in the performance of a government function on the basis of trade secret or other proprietary information. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL CRIME.

Establishes a permanent Agricultural Crimes Task Force to address the issue of agricultural crime in the State. Establishes the offense of agricultural crime to increase penalties for committing certain property crimes on agricultural property. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS.

Prohibits active employees of the University of Hawaii and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii from serving on the Board of Regents.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.

Clarifies that the prohibition against board and commission holdover members from holding office beyond the end of the second regular legislative session following the expiration of the member's term of office takes precedence over any conflicting statutes.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL TOURISM.

Establishes statewide, uniform standards to promote agricultural tourism activities in the State by establishing state agricultural tourism activity requirements that are applicable to all counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance. Requires agricultural tourism activities to be registered by the county planning commission. Requires agricultural tourism activities to coexist with an agricultural activity on a farming operation and requires termination of the agricultural tourism activities upon cessation of the agricultural activity. Makes conforming amendments.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO FARM TO FAMILIES.

Establishes the Hawaii Farm to Families Program to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2026 and 2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for State Enterprise Zone Program purposes to include retail sales of tangible personal property manufactured and sold in the enterprise zone to the final consumer, the processing of value-added agricultural products grown within an enterprise zone, the provision of professional services by health care professionals in health-care-related sectors, the use of advanced manufacturing to produce products, or the development of cybersecurity technology. Extends the eligibility period of the state business tax credit and general excise tax exemption for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones from 7 years to 9 years. Extends the eligibility period of the general excise tax exemption for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones engaged in the manufacturing of tangible personal property or the producing or processing of agricultural products from 10 years to 12 years. Makes the extension of the state business tax credit eligibility period applicable to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Makes the extension of the general excise tax exemption eligibility period take effect on 1/1/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Agricultural Development Corporation for the purchase of an agricultural parcel for agricultural development. Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Hawaii Island Property Manager position within the ADC. Appropriates funds.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CRANSTON DUKE PIA ACT.

Establishes that, in certain circumstances, an actor rightfully present on agricultural lands may exercise deadly force with a right to stand the actor's ground and not retreat.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Directs the Department of Health to purchase and store a 1 year supply of mifepristone by working with 1 or more pharmacies in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ROADS.

Allows for a percentage of general excise and fuel taxes generated by the counties to be used for maintenance of private roadways that are open to the public. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION.

Establishes general excise tax exemptions for various medical services, including dental services.

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO NURSES.

Requires and appropriates moneys for the establishment of a 5-year nurse recertification pilot program to be administered by the Department of Health. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Health to award scholarships to eligible nursing students who agree to teach nursing in Hawaii after graduating.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES.

Allows foreign medical school graduates applying for a license to practice medicine and surgery to substitute one year of required medical training or experience in a hospital with one year of fellowship training where the parent program or hospital is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Increases the number of voter service centers in the State. Requiring all voter services centers to operate during the same days and hours statewide. Clarifies that during each day of operation, during all hours of operation, each voter service center is to provide in-person voter registration, receive absentee and election-by-mail ballots, allow voters to vote in person, and provide voting machine services for persons with disabilities. Appropriates moneys to the counties for the administrative costs of voter service centers.

Brenton AwaRepublican

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE IV, SECTIONS 4 AND 6, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING REAPPORTIONMENT.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to specify that reapportionment shall be based on the resident population, as counted in the decennial United States census for the respective reapportionment year, rather than the permanent resident population. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Repeals state restrictions on the installation and use of sun screening devices, including window tinting, on motor vehicles.

Brenton AwaRepublican