Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Part I: Extends the Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target from 2045 to 2050. Part II: Maintains the existing Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target but exempts the Department of Transportation and transportation systems and services from the target.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel distribution in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides $1 per gallon, increasing by 2 cents per additional 1 per cent emissions reduction, up to $2 per gallon. Caps total credits at $20,000,000 annually, with carryover provisions. Requires reporting to ensure transparency and compliance. Applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and sunsets on December 31, 2035. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL.

Expands the provisions of the Renewable Fuels Production Tax Credit. Clarifies that the Renewable Fuels Production Tax Credit shall only be claimed by taxpayers for which qualified renewable fuels production costs are incurred within the State and sold for distribution within the State. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES.

Lowers the age of who may drive commercially within the State from nineteen to eighteen. Repeals the requirement that a person only operates category 3 vehicles to qualify to drive commercially in the State. Prohibits a person under twenty-one years of age from operating a commercial motor vehicle outside of a registered apprenticeship program as determined by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations or a structured, on-the-job training program administered by the person's employer that meets certain requirements. Requires the Department of Transportation to amend its rules to lower the minimum age required for a commercial driver's license. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

Requires natural hair braiders to be registered, rather than licensed, under the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. By 11/1/2026, requires the Board to adopt rules prescribing the approved courses or programs on sanitation, health, and safety. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires health insurance carriers to honor a patient's written assignment of benefits to a substance use disorder treatment provider. Prohibits health insurance contracts from including anti-assignment clauses that restrict or invalidate a patient's right to assign benefits. Authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules and take enforcement action to ensure compliance. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to publish an annual summary. Allows providers to bring civil actions to compel payment and obtain injunctive relief, damages, interest, and attorneys' fees for violations. Deems violations to be unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Requires insurers to furnish an explanation of benefits to the assigned provider upon request.

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.

Establishes and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program under the Department of Human Services to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2027 and 2028.

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Includes housing projects for individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs as eligible projects to apply for expedited permits. Requires reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO PARKING.

Prohibits minimum off-street parking requirements for new developments or redevelopment projects located in transit‑oriented development infrastructure improvement program areas. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older.

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Authorizes rodeos and rodeo activities on various lands that are zoned for agricultural or pastoral use. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, face‑to‑face practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the compact. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO CHILD CUSTODY.

Allows licensed mental health counselors to be appointed as child custody evaluators. (SD2)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain necessary supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates moneys. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Upgrades the penalties for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while highly intoxicated, including outlining additional requirements for probation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS.

Transfers the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation. Makes conforming amendments. Appropriates funds.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Authorizes the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct a phased review of a proposed project on private property under certain circumstances. Amends the process and deadlines by which SHPD must provide written concurrence or non-concurrence for proposed projects on private property or certain projects that require state or county approval for entitlement for use. Clarifies when an application for a proposed project on an existing privately-owned residential property shall be subject to the requirements of section 6E-42, HRS. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Amends, for purposes of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's Rent-to-Own Program, the period during which the sales price of a dwelling unit is required to remain fixed from 5 years to a period of up to 10 years. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

Makes both the representative of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii and the representative of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii permanent standing members of the State Building Code Council, instead of members who alternate terms every four years. Adds one representative of the Plumbers and Fitters United Association, Local 675, and one representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1186, as members of the State Building Code Council. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Prohibits the Land Use Commission from imposing exactions from a residential development for educational purposes. Repeals school impact fees. Abolishes school impact fee subaccounts within the School Facilities Special Fund and transfers unencumbered balances to the School Facilities Special Fund. Abolishes fair share contribution and impact fee accounts within the DOE Donations – Facilities Trust and transfers unencumbered balances to the School Facilities Special Fund. Provides that any existing educational contribution agreements executed with the Department of Education or School Facilities Authority before the repeal of school impact fees shall remain in effect. Transfers existing educational contribution agreements from the Department of Education to the School Facilities Authority. Repeals a requirement for the School Facilities Authority to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds from the School Facilities Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Provides the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation with autonomy in personnel matters. Increases the salary cap for the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Renames the Executive Assistant of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation the Deputy Executive Director. Prohibits the extension of any employment contract of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and Hawaii Public Housing Authority beyond two years without legislative approval. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Authorizes HHFDC to designate certain for-sale units as permanently affordable housing, subject to certain restrictions. Clarifies that certain resale and occupancy restrictions apply only to projects developed prior to a certain date. Amends the definition of "qualified resident" for the purposes of HHFDC housing development programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Establishes a process by which any political party continuously listed on the general election ballot for two consecutive general election cycles shall be deemed continuously qualified for ballot placement. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT HEALTH.

Authorizes a school to maintain a stock supply of over-the-counter oral antihistamines to be administered under certain conditions. Authorizes school personnel to administer the over-the-counter oral antihistamine medication, under certain conditions.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Limits mixed-use developments to transit-oriented developments that include housing along a locally preferred alternative for a mass transit system. Repeals the sunset date of Act 45, SLH 2024, thereby making permanent the authority of the counties to share in facilitating the development, construction, financing, refinancing, or other provision of mixed-use developments, including low- and moderate-income housing projects, and issue county bonds before 7/1/2033 for this purpose. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes that manufactured homes are a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots within the urban district. Limits the use of residential building design elements to deny or discourage otherwise code-compliant manufactured homes. Prohibits homeowners' associations and similar private governing bodies from enforcing covenants that actively or effectively prohibit otherwise lawful manufactured housing. Prohibits counties from requiring manufactured homes that comply with federal manufactured housing standards to also comply with the Hawaii State Building Code or a county building code. Specifies that a manufactured home is considered real property, requiring its transfer, conveyance, and mortgage to follow the same recording and enforcement requirements as other real property. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS.

Clarifies that a county employee's code compliance review of plans for construction applicable to the specific engineering field is considered lawful experience in engineering work for purposes of professional engineering licensure.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies insurance, indemnification, and certain certificate of occupancy requirements for purposes of expedited permits. Requires state or county inspectors to inspect all projects with expedited permits. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies the Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program by: including the renting or subleasing by the owner of a residential condominium unit to any tenant or sublessee of any kind as a form of owner occupation; requiring at least sixty per cent of the residential condominium units within urban redevelopment sites to be set aside for owner-occupied residential use for at least ten years from the date of initial purchase; exempting the design, development, and construction of contracts for residential condominium units within an urban redevelopment site from procurement requirements; allowing an individual to own other real property and still qualify for the program; and allowing the sale of up to forty per cent of residential condominium units to qualified residents if there are units available after being advertised for sale for more than sixty days. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Establishes an executive committee and amends the membership and duties of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission (Commission). Requires each member agency of the Commission to implement its own actions to address certain strategies and goals established by the Commission. Establishes reporting and review requirements for member agencies relating to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts and clean economy targets. Updates reporting requirements for the Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation reports. Allows the Commission to enter into certain procurement contracts. Updates the zero emissions clean economy target. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO LEGALIZE THE ADULT USE OF CANNABIS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize individuals aged twenty-one and older to use and possess a personal-use amount of cannabis. Requires the Legislature to enact laws governing the use, manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, regulation, and taxation of cannabis within the State.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Establishes the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate all aspects of the cannabis plant. Contingent upon specific changes at the federal level or a state constitutional amendment, legalizes the personal adult use of cannabis and decriminalizes certain marijuana-related offenses. Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes taxes on cannabis sales. Adds new traffic offenses relating to the consumption or possession of marijuana or marijuana concentrate. Transfers the personnel and assets of the Department of Health and assets of the Department of Agriculture relating to cannabis and hemp to the Hawaii Cannabis and Hemp Office. Establishes various positions within state entities. Appropriates funds.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO YOUTH PENALTIES.

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. Encourages the use of community service and other programs that employ aina-based principles. Repeals certain penalties imposed on parents, guardians, or other persons associated with unaccompanied children in streets and unmarried minors in dance halls. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Amends repeat offender sentencing provisions to allow sentencing courts, under certain circumstances, to sentence defendants in class C felony cases to probation with appropriate terms and conditions.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPASSIONATE RELEASE.

Establishes a protocol for compassionate release for certain ill or seriously debilitated incarcerated persons. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION EQUITY.

Requires the Department of Education to permit the participation of eligible homeschooled students in public high school extracurricular activities, subject to certain requirements and limitations.

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Makes broadcast and streaming platform productions and commercial advertisement productions with Internet-only distribution eligible to receive the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit. Repeals 1/1/2033. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO SHOPPING CARTS.

Requires every business establishment that provides a shopping cart to mark each cart with identifying information. Authorizes a county to impound and dispose of a shopping cart and assess impound fees, storage fees, and disposal fees under certain circumstances. Authorizes the counties to establish policies for managing and impounding shopping carts that have been vandalized or no longer display an owner's identifying mark. Requires the counties to establish a buyback program for impounded shopping carts. Authorizes the counties to return a shopping cart, in lieu of impoundment, to the business establishment, subject to certain fines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO NONPROFITS.

Authorizes the Department of the Attorney General to initiate an investigation into a nonprofit corporation for compliance with the Hawaii Nonprofit Corporations Act and its tax exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGES.

Limits claims alleging property damage from covered catastrophic wildfires to actual damages. Amends the aggregate liability limit for qualifying damages from covered catastrophic wildfires to be $1,000,000,000, rather than administratively established by the Public Utilities Commission, and makes the limit applicable only to property covered by a property insurance policy up to the coverage limit. Requires the Director of Emergency Management to determine whether a wildfire is a covered catastrophic wildfire. Specifies that claims subject to the limit must be filed within one year of the covered catastrophic wildfire. Clarifies that a property and casualty insurer's rights to subrogation are not limited in the context of an insured's recovery by judgment or settlement of a third-party tort claim.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO NOTARIES PUBLIC.

Requires the Bureau of Conveyances to void any recorded instrument that was fraudulently notarized when attested to by the purported notary public. Requires the Bureau of Conveyance to allow title holders to suspend additional recordings on their title, unless given prior authorization by the title holder, subject to certain limitations.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.

Requires financial institutions to establish policies for identifying financial exploitation and the training of employees. Establishes procedures for reporting suspected financial exploitation. Requires financial institutions to delay transactions, and allows freezes on assets, when there is suspected financial exploitation. Provides immunity from liability for financial institutions for any action, determination, omission, or practice related to this Act.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat