Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Amend the State's regulation of sun screening devices on motor vehicles by lowering the allowable amount of light transmittance for vehicle windows from 35%, plus or minus 6%, to 25%, plus or minus 5%.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Prohibits certain foreign parties from owning, purchasing, or acquiring an interest in agricultural lands. Establishes an Office of Agricultural Intelligence within the Department of Agriculture to investigate claims that land is unlawfully owned by a prohibited foreign party. Requires the Attorney General to undertake enforcement activities. Appropriates moneys.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO THE COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE AND HUMAN RESILIENCE.

Appropriates funds for critical repairs, maintenance, demolition, design, and construction for facilities of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Establishes and appropriates funds for positions within the University of Hawaii for the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO RETIRED TEACHERS.

Amends the break in service requirement for retirants to six months before they can be rehired as teachers or administrators in teacher shortage areas or in hard-to-fill positions. Prohibits rehired retirants from receiving additional employment benefits. Directs the Department of Education to adopt rules to identify teacher shortage areas and hard-to-fill positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish additional permanent mental health practitioner positions within the Division of Student Success' Counseling and Student Development Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ATHLETICS.

Appropriates funds to athletics departments of the University of Hawaii. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow a person authorized to practice psychology in a compact state in which the person is not licensed.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHERS.

Increases the bonus for teachers who achieve and maintain a current national board certification from $5,000 to $10,000. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

RELATING TO THE MINIMUM WAGE.

Reduces the minimum wage increase beginning 1/1/2026, to $15.00 per hour and repeals certain minimum wage and tip credit increases after 1/1/2026.

Sam Satoru KongDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS.

Establishes an ombudsman's office for homeowner associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes an ombudsman's office special fund. Requires board members of condominium associations, cooperative housing corporations, and planned community associations to meet certain educational requirements through classes offered by the ombudsman. Updates statutes relating to condominium associations, cooperative housing corporations, and planned community associations to integrate the role and functions of the ombudsman's office for homeowner associations. Appropriates funds for establishment of the ombudsman's office. Declares that the appropriation exceeds the state general fund expenditure ceiling for 2024-2025.

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

RELATING TO PENALTIES.

Mandates courts to impose an enhanced sentence for theft and burglary offenses over a certain property value threshold. Increases penalties for habitual property crime perpetrators. Targets fencing operations and imposes enhanced sentencing to those who knowingly receive stolen property or resell such property.

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Imposes a less deferential standard of negligence on officers and directors of condominium associations incorporated under HRS 414D. Ensures that officers and directors of condominium associations are held accountable by imposing a reasonable person standard of negligence.

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Categorizes electric bicycles into three classes based on speed and operation. Requires electric bicycle manufacturers and distributors to apply a label to each electric bicycle. Imposes a requirement that counties inform individuals of the applicable traffic code, safety information, and penalties for violations at the time of registering a bicycle.

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY LEASES.

Prohibits the resetting of lease rents for long-term commercial leases above a level that is economic for the lessee's actual use of the property. Requires that a lessee whose long-term commercial lease has been terminated be compensated for the value of buildings, infrastructure, and businesses created by the lessee that will be retained by the lessor. Allows a lessee the right to purchase the property at fair market value.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to establish a five-year Community Land Trust Equity Pilot Program to provide community land trusts with a line of credit to fund the acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, or construction of housing for certain households. Requires reports to the Legislature regarding the pilot program. Appropriates funds from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for establishment of the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot program on 6/30/2030. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Increases penalties for certain firework violations and establishes higher penalties for any subsequent violation. Appropriates funds.

Sam Satoru KongDemocrat

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

Provides that leaders of nonprofit organizations shall be exempt from county liquor commission criminal history check requirements for license applicants.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO ANTITRUST.

Prohibits the use of algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii's rental market. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop and undertake a public education program regarding the prohibition.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL BENEFITS.

Expands workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma of the respiratory system; cancer of the buccal cavity, colon, pharynx, and thyroid; and malignant melanoma. Specifies that an employer may prove that the cancer or disease was not associated with the firefighting duties to deny medical benefits under workers' compensation law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes a county planning commission, by special permit, to permit land uses exclusively providing residential housing for purposes of agricultural workforce housing, long-term rental, or workforce fee simple ownership in an agricultural district, under certain conditions. Repeals 6/30/2035. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO PLANT-BASED FOOD AND DRINKS.

Requires state agencies to establish a Plant-Based-By-Default Program for food and drinks offered at state-operated prisons, state-licensed hospitals, and government-sponsored events. Requires the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Comptroller, and Director of Health to submit annual reports to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Effective 7/1/2026.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

Appropriate funds to the legislative reference bureau to procure artificial intelligence software and analytic services to streamline state law and regulations. Requires a report to the legislature.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO NUISANCE ABATEMENT.

Offers rights and protections to citizens who bring civil nuisance abatement suits related to illegal gambling. Imposes a mandatory fine of $5,0000 for violating nuisance abatement laws related to gambling offenses.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO EMERGENCY EVACUATION ROUTES.

Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of Transportation, in collaboration with the City and County of Honolulu, to assess and develop an improvement plan for emergency evacuation routes along the Waianae coast. Authorizes the Department to request input and assistance from the United States Navy. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT.

Requires certain employers in the State to offer reproductive loss leave for employees.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires all health insurers in the State, including Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Applies to insurance policies, contracts, plans, or agreements issued or renewed in the State after 12/31/2025.

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the City and County of Honolulu to transfer to the State the City and County of Honolulu's authority to construct a Makakilo Drive extension. Appropriates moneys.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Excludes from the offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products the direct sale of large cigars to adult consumers for personal use. Effective 1/1/2026.

Sam Satoru KongDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAIAKEA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

Establishes the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District and the Waiakea Peninsula Community Development District Special Fund. Specifies the powers and duties of the Hawaii Community Development Authority as it relates to the new development district. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO DISABILITY HEALTH DISPARITY.

Requires the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to collect data and submit to the Legislature a report focused on the health disparities experienced by individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in the State prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027. Appropriates funds.

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Authorizes physicians to practice at organized ambulatory health care facilities even if the physician does not have hospital privileges at a licensed hospital in the same geographic location as the ambulatory facility. Provides that a written transfer agreement is not required to transfer a patient from an organized ambulatory health care facility to a licensed hospital.

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

Authorizes licensed paramedics in a county with a population of 100,000 or less to administer buprenorphine after administration of an opioid antagonist in cases of opioid overdoses, under certain conditions. Requires the Department of Health to implement a two-year phased pilot program beginning in one county with a population of 100,000 or less and authorizes expansion of the program statewide as additional treatment resources become available. Requires a report to the Legislature evaluating program outcomes. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (SD1)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Health to develop and implement a public health and informational campaign and contract with community-based organizations to prevent substance misuse and treat substance use disorder among youth. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Reduces the minimum number of years of credited service from ten years to five years qualified Tier 2 employee's retirement system members must have to be eligible for vested benefit status for service retirement allowance purposes. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes a contract for the purchase of local produce having a value of more than $25,000 to be for a term of at least five years, under certain conditions. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX CREDITS.

Establishes a telework tax credit for small business employers who allow telework for at least 30% of their employees. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/24.

Sam Satoru KongDemocrat

RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY.

Establishes penalties for failure to remediate violations, including fines and, under certain circumstances, foreclosure on the real property.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO NOISE POLLUTION.

Establishes a private right of action for any person aggrieved by a violation of the Federal Aviation Act and existing federal laws to bring a civil action against the owner or operator of the helicopter in violation and collect damages and litigation costs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PROCUREMENT CODE.

Requires public contractors to obtain insurance to cover at least half of a project's construction costs to the State to provide funds for curing construction defects discovered within ten years after the completion of the contract. Authorizes the State to institute an action against the contractor for the total costs of curing those defects.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Allows bidders to clarify or correct immaterial or technical information required as part of a bid submission for up to twenty-four hours after the bid submission deadline. Requires that bids for construction be opened no sooner than twenty-four hours after the deadline for the submission of bids. Defines "immaterial or technical information". Repeals 6/30/2027.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Short form bill relating to the state budget.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE FINANCES.

Short form bill relating to the state finances.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Establishes the Condominium Loan Program to provide condominium associations with low-cost financing, or refinancing for previously obtained loans, for maintenance or repair projects. Establishes the Condominium Loan Loss Reserves Program to incentivize lenders to provide loans at competitive rates and terms to condominium associations for the purpose of allowing condominium associations to make necessary maintenance or repairs. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS.

Short form bill relating to non-general funds.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Short form bill relating to taxation.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE PROGRAMS.

Short form bill relating to state programs.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENT.

Short form bill relating to environment.

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Short form bill relating to homelessness.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Clarifies the exemptions to the prohibition on discharging any wastewater or raw sewage into state waters after December 31, 2026, including an exemption for treatment plants having a treatment capacity of less than a certain number of gallons per day. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CIGARETTE TAX AND TOBACCO TAX LAW.

Exempts the shipment of large cigars in fulfillment of a sale by mail order from the offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat