Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO GAMING.

Establishes the Hawaii Lottery and Gaming Corporation for the purpose of conducting and regulating wagering and gaming in the State. Establishes the Lottery and Gaming Special Fund and allocates certain percentages of the fund to various community betterment purposes.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to develop and implement training programs, public-private partnerships, funding opportunities, and recruitment strategies to develop a local workforce to meet the growing demand in defense-related personnel and promote economic diversification. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Extends the sunset date of the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project to 2038. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SERVICE ANIMALS.

Requires sellers or providers of emotional support animals, as well as those issuing verifications of a disability related need for an emotional support animal, to provide written notice to the buyer or recipient containing certain information. Requires persons or businesses that sell or provide certificates, vests, or identification tags that identify an animal as an emotional support animal to provide written notice to the buyer or recipient containing certain information. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual, from the sale of hearing aids. Effective 12/31/2050. Sunsets 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RARE DISEASES.

Establishes a Rare Disease Advisory Council within the Department of Health to advise the State on the needs of rare disease patients.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RESIDENT TUITION FEE.

Requires the University of Hawaii to grant the resident tuition fee for enrollment at any University of Hawaii campus to individuals who have graduated from a Hawaii high school and are enrolling in an undergraduate degree program, under certain conditions. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII RELIEF FUNDING.

Amends the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund by allowing the Board of Regents to dedicate funding for student aid in direct response to an emergency or disaster, as declared by the Governor. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MOBILITY MANAGEMENT.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Mobility Management, established pursuant to Act 214, SLH 2013, in consultation with the Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Executive Office on Aging and other stakeholder groups.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

Repeals the general excise tax exemption for amounts received by independent sugar cane farmers. Repeals the general excise tax exemption for amounts received by a contractor of the Patient-Centered Community Care Program that is established by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to title 38 United States Code section 8153. Effective 1/1/2026. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII CONFERENCE CENTER REVOLVING FUND.

Establishes the University of Hawaii Conference Center Revolving Fund and accounts under the fund to facilitate the administration of the revolving fund for conference center programs among various campuses and operating units of the University of Hawaii system. Repeals the Conference Center Revolving Fund, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and the Community College Conference Center Revolving Fund. Transfers all appropriations and encumbrances of the Conference Center Revolving Fund, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and the Community College Conference Center Revolving Fund to the University of Hawaii Conference Center Revolving Fund. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a definition for "premium cigar" that is distinct from a "large cigar" and adds a definition for "characterizing flavor" in the Cigarette Tax and Tobacco Tax Law. Excludes premium cigars from percentage excise tax. Establishes an excise tax at a rate of 50 cents per premium cigar.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (11) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (10) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (13) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (9) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (8) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 7/1/2050. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (7) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 7/1/2050. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (6) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (5) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (2) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Unit (4) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Unit (3) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Unit (1) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Modifies and improves the effectiveness of the renewable portfolio standards law, which stipulates the central role of Hawaii's electric utility companies in complying with the State's renewable energy and climate goals to address emerging trends.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ZERO EMISSIONS CLEAN ECONOMY TARGET.

Provides needed clarifications on the applicability and scope of section 225P-5, HRS. Clarifies current emissions reduction goals and defines critical terms used in climate mitigation. Establishes a total or gross emissions target as well as sector-specific targets to reinforce action in the relevant emitting sectors further strengthening the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

Requires health plan insurers to align their prior authorization processes with Medicare policies.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Requires annual submission of an updated tourism functional plan by the Hawaiian Tourism Authority, subject to available funding.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS.

Requires transient accommodations brokers and any other persons or entities to offer, list, advertise, or display a transient accommodations rental rate that includes all resort fees required for the furnishing of transient accommodations. Requires transient accommodations brokers and any other persons or entities to include all applicable taxes and fees imposed by a government on the stay in the total price to be paid before the consumer reserves the furnishing of transient accommodations. Establishes penalties. Effective 1/1/2026.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires insurers to notify policyholders of rate changes at least 30 days before the effective date of the rate change. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires certain landlords to provide a specified notice to a tenant regarding the tenant's potential right to purchase the property, under certain conditions. Allows tenants, families, local governments, affordable housing nonprofits, and community land trusts forty-five days to match or beat the best bona fide offer to buy an eligible affordable housing property.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO FORECLOSURES.

Prohibit sellers of foreclosed homes from bundling properties at a public sale and requires each foreclosed home to be sold separately. Specifies that the sale of a foreclosed property is not final until either fifteen days after the public sale or forty-five days if an eligible bidder submits a subsequent bid or written notice of intent to submit a subsequent bid.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD CARE.

Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to identify all state-owned buildings that have the space and capability to establish a child care center on its premises and establish and administer child care centers within the identified state-owned buildings, and procure a child care provider licensed under State law as an operator of the child care centers. Beginning 1/1/2026, requires bids for state building construction and major state building renovation projects to include a designated area for a child care center. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires the Insurance Commissioner to convene a working group to identify, assess, and recommend certain risk transfer market mechanisms. Requires annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Prohibits civil asset forfeiture unless the covered offense is a felony for which the property owner has been convicted. Excludes the forfeiture proceedings for an animal pending criminal charges. Requires the Attorney General to deposit the net proceeds of the forfeited property to the credit of the state general fund.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST HAWAII ISLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Hawaii Island Community Health Center to purchase or lease land on the island of Hawaii and develop primary care health care facilities.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes the retail delivery safety fee of 50 cents to be imposed on a retailer for each transaction involving a non-food item retail delivery in the State. Allows the retailer to transfer the fee to the purchaser. Creates certain exemptions. Requires the Director of Taxation to deposit the collected fees into the Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund. Allows the Director of Taxation to deposit collected fees that cover the administration of the retail delivery safety fee into the state general fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

Establishes an Early Learning Cooperative Program within the Department of Human Services. Establishes an Advisory Council to advise on the goals of the Early Learning Cooperative Program. Requires the Department of Human Services to secure federal funding through the Child Care and Development Block Grant for the administration of the Early Learning Cooperative Program. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt administrative rules. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the State Highway Modernization and Safety Council to conduct a thorough evaluation of vehicle characteristics and develop a set of standards to identify high-risk vehicles. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Establishes the Agricultural Statistics Program in statute. Appropriates funds for the Program. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to: (1) Adopt the National Incident Management System as the standard for all incident management and emergency response operations; (2) Complete an after-action review for all significant emergency incidents or exercises; (3) Develop and manage position task books; (4) require the use of standardized Incident Command System forms; (5) Maintain accreditation through the Emergency Management Accreditation Program; and (6) Define specific roles and responsibilities for all Incident Command System and emergency operations center positions. Expands training and education qualifications and responsibilities for the Administrator of Emergency Management and county-level administrators or directors of emergency management. Amends the contents of the state comprehensive emergency management plan.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE.

Requires specialized training for all employees of the Office of the Ombudsman to develop relevant expertise to handle complaints about the child welfare system. Requires the Office of the Ombudsman to publish a quarterly report on its website that identifies the number and nature of complaints that it receives regarding the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department of Human Services. Requires the Child Welfare Services Branch of the Department of Human Services to provide notification that complaints can also be filed with the Office of the Ombudsman. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Limits the required payment of certain unpaid motor vehicle taxes and fees and accompanying financial penalties to those incurred during the most recent 5 consecutive years of delinquency.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Requires the design of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires solar conduit- and electrical panel-readiness for new residential construction offered for sale at fair market value and electric vehicle-readiness when an electrical panel and parking area are installed. Effective 1/1/2026.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a pilot program within the Department of Agriculture to determine feasibility and prepare an environmental impact statement to drill non-potable water wells on individual parcels at Panaewa agricultural park and Panaewa farm lots. Requires DOA to consult and coordinate with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on the location and distribution of water from the wells before and after the completion of the EIS. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Provides rebates for the installation of eligible electric vehicle-ready parking stalls for new construction of affordable housing.

Chris LeeDemocrat

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 FINANCING.

Authorizes the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund to be used to provide financial assistance to underserved ratepayers, in addition to other eligible borrowers. Appropriates funds into and out of the Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat