Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Prohibits any business established after January 1, 2026, that uses, rents, or offers for rent mopeds in the course of their commercial business, from using a combustion engine-powered moped. Establishes penalties.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes the offense of theft of a bicycle. Establishes the first offense of theft of a bicycle as a misdemeanor. Establishes the second and each subsequent offense that occurs within five years of a prior conviction for theft of a bicycle as a class C felony.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes large landowners to petition the Land Use Commission to allow the development of elderly housing on portions of agricultural lands.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION SAFETY.

Requires the driver's license examination to test the applicant's knowledge of the dangers that larger motor vehicles present to pedestrians and bicyclists. Requires persons who commit the offense of excessively speeding or habitually driving while intoxicated to retake and pass the driver's license examination for each offense.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establish a medical education liaison position within the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine to support programs that utilize a team of medical specialists to support primary care providers and other health care professionals through mentorship and guidance. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Amends the membership of the Hawaii Community Development Authority to include the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the Chairperson's designee.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE KOHALA DITCH.

Makes the Agribusiness Development Corporation responsible for the maintenance of the Kohala Ditch. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health for the Adult Mental Health Inpatient Program to secure contracts for the provision of forty psychiatric beds annually for the Hawaii State Hospital. Requires the Department of Health to include line-item funding for the Adult Mental Health Inpatient Program in its annual budget request beginning with fiscal year 2027-2028 to secure contracts for the provision of psychiatric beds for the Hawaii State Hospital.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY DISTRICTS.

Establishes a process by which the Legislature may establish community districts by concurrent resolution. Requires the board members of the community districts to be elected by residents of the community district.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds to the Department of Health for construction defect remediation at the Hawaii State Hospital. Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) building manager position at the Hawaii State Hospital. Appropriates funds.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD ABUSE.

Amends the definition of "child abuse or neglect" by clarifying that the failure to provide certain needs to a child constitutes child abuse or neglect only if the person or entity responsible for the care of the child is financially able to provide and fails to do so or is offered financial or other reasonable means to provide and fails to accept these offers.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Part I: Renames the Department of Agriculture to the "Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity". Renames the Board of Agriculture to the "Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity" and amends the composition of the Board. Part II: Establishes and appropriates funds for a Deputy Director of Biosecurity. Part III: Changes references to the plant and animal declaration form to the "biosecurity form". Part IV: Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Authorizes the Chairperson of the Board to quarantine an area under certain conditions. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Part V: Requires the Department to establish and regularly update an invasive species dashboard. Authorizes pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests. Part VI: Appropriates funds for positions for the Department. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO LAULAU DAY.

Designates May 1 of each year as "Laulau Day" in the State.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO VEGETATION MANAGEMENT NEAR UTILITY LINES.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create and annually update a wildfire hazard map. Requires private and public property owners to trim grasses within certain proximities of public rights of way and utility lines, enforced by the State Fire Marshal as to State-owned land and the applicable county fire department as to privately owned land. Authorizes electric utility companies to enter private or public property to trim or remove hazardous vegetation. Appropriates funds. Effective 6/1/2050. (SD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLES.

Requires that any new motor vehicle permitted by law to be equipped with a siren, whether purchased or contracted in the State to be equipped with dual frequency sirens.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle with, possession, purchase, installation, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of license plate flipping devices. Establishes a $2,000 fine for each separate violation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESS YOUTH.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to provide emergency shelter and services to unaccompanied homeless youth.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION DEMAND MANAGEMENT.

Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation to develop a plan for a Comprehensive Transportation Demand Management Program to reduce vehicle emissions and miles traveled by single-occupancy vehicles. Establishes two permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) co-administrator positions, one in the Department of Accounting and General Services and one in the Department of Transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING DEMAND MANAGEMENT.

Establishes a parking demand management program. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to transition all state employee monthly parking options to daily rate parking. Requires the Department to procure parking reservation software. Creates 2 permanent full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions. Appropriates moneys.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

Requires that the Hawaiian version of a law be held binding if the law in question was originally drafted in Hawaiian and meets certain criteria. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE SHRIMP.

Establishes the ‘ōpae ‘ula as the state shrimp to protect anchialine pool ecosystems throughout Hawaii.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY MAINTENANCE.

Requires owners, lessees, or managers of real property to maintain their property and establish penalties for failure to do so. Allows for exceptions.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Temporarily allows each county, by resolution of its county council, to petition for the redistricting of land from an agricultural district to a rural district through the Land Use Commission's declaratory ruling process. Effective 7/1/2026. Sunsets 6/30/2029.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAIAKEA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

Establishes the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District. Provides for the transfer of land and leases within the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Hawaii Community Development Authority.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Makes a person or entity liable for all or a portion of search or rescue expenses when the person or entity knowingly enters state, county, or private property, knowingly enters a hiking trail that is closed to the public, or violates applicable laws, provided that the closure is posted by sign, barricade, or other device that gives reasonable notice of the closure. Requires counties to adopt ordinances and the State Fire Council to adopt rules as necessary to pursue reimbursements.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Provides a general excise tax exemption on gross proceeds received from the construction, sale, or installation of electrical vehicle charging infrastructure in certain circumstances. Repeals on 1/1/2031.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Authorizes charter school contracts to be renewed for successive ten-year terms of duration.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS.

Allows an activity or operation that is permitted or authorized under the ocean recreation and coastal areas program chapter and renewed within twelve months preceding the initiation of proceedings to determine whether the activity or operation is subject to environmental review, to continue operation for one year while the appropriate agency makes the determination and conducts any necessary environmental review. Allows a person with oversight of the activity or operation to renew the appropriate permits while under the environmental review process. Sunsets 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Appropriates funds to support the efforts of the Division of Aquatic Resources in the removal of the majano anemone from Kaneohe Bay.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATED TO CARE HOMES.

Increases the state supplemental payment ceilings for type I adult residential care homes, licensed developmental disabilities domiciliary homes, community care foster family homes, certified adult foster homes, and type II adult residential care homes.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for purchasing body cameras for adult correctional officers to wear while on duty at state correctional facilities.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO DIGITAL EQUITY.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a digital navigator pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices for the members of the public Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL DEBT.

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to conduct a study on the cost and feasibility of establishing a program to acquire and forgive medical debt owed by certain households in the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 12/31/2050. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Establishes a two-year Mental Health Emerging Therapies Pilot Program within the Office of Wellness and Resilience. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Codifies net neutrality principles by prohibiting fixed and mobile internet service providers that provide broadband internet access service from engaging in certain practices concerning the treatment of internet traffic. Among other things, prohibits internet service providers from blocking internet traffic on the basis of internet content, application, or service, engaging in paid prioritization or zero-rating internet traffic in exchange for consideration, monetary or otherwise.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO YOUTH FEES AND FINES.

Prohibits the assessment of any fees, fines, or court costs against a person who was adjudicated for an offense committed during the person's minority, or against the person's parent or guardian, and discharges all related debt obligations assessed before the effective date of the Act. Limits court-ordered community service for a minor to no more than seventy-two hours. Repeals certain penalties imposed on parents, guardians, or other persons associated with unaccompanied children in streets and unmarried minors in dance halls. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY.

Requires employers in the food service industry to allow their employees an unpaid rest period of 30 consecutive minutes for a certain number of consecutive hours of working time. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Prohibits foreign nationals, foreign corporations, and foreign-influenced business entities from making contributions, expenditures, electioneering communications, or donations for election purposes. Requires every for-profit business entity that contributes or expends funds in a state election to certify that the entity was not a foreign corporation or foreign-influenced business entity when the contribution or expenditure was made. Specifies that if the conditions that determine whether a business entity qualifies as a foreign‑influenced business entity are held unconstitutional by a final judgment, including all appeals, the Campaign Spending Commission is required to establish revised conditions that are constitutional. Requires noncandidate committees making only independent expenditures to obtain a statement of certification from each top contributor required to be listed in an advertisement avowing that no funds were derived from foreign nationals, foreign corporations, or foreign-influenced business entities. Exempts entities engaged in transporting cargo and subject to section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO DOGS.

Allows dogs in restaurants at the restaurant owner's or manager's discretion, provided that certain conditions are met.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Allows service and non-service pet animals on mass transit vehicles under certain conditions.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PET INSURANCE.

Establishes a regulatory framework specifically for pet insurance based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Pet Insurance Model Act.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident's unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions. Provides that HPHA may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent. Allows HPHA to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL ENDANGERMENT.

Allows animal control officers, law enforcement officers, and firefighters to enter an unattended vehicle to protect the health, safety, or well-being of a pet animal that is endangered by being left or confined in an unattended vehicle. Allows private citizens to retrieve a pet animal that has been left in an unattended vehicle, under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

Bans the keeping or breeding of cetaceans in captivity except in certain circumstances.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

After 1/1/2026, prohibits businesses where food or beverages are packaged and sold on the business' premises for individual consumption from using, selling, or distributing certain disposable or single-use food ware and beverage service items, including items containing PFAS.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OCEAN RECREATION SPECIAL FUND.

Authorizes the Ocean Stewardship Special Fund to be used for planning, development, designing, or implementation of beach restoration projects, including the awarding of grants to nonprofit organizations for beach and nearshore environmental cleanup.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS.

Requires a seller of real property adjacent to the shoreline, and the seller's agent, to disclose and include in all advertisements shoreline erosion certain issues related to the parcel.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt by rule, any federal rule or regulation relating to the public lands of the State as it existed on 1/1/2025 that it deems are in the public interest.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires self-service stations to put Public Utilities Commission-approved labels on gas dispensing equipment to advise consumers on the effects of fossil fuel consumption to human health and the environment.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE.

Authorizes the Hawaii State Energy Office to adopt certain federal regulations as they existed on 1/1/2025, that it deems to be in the public interest.

Chris LeeDemocrat