Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Kamaaina Homes Program to provide funding to the counties to purchase voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or homebuyers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Short form bill relating to housing.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Creates a process for expediting the review of majority-residential mixed-use transit-oriented development or residential transit-oriented development on certain parcels within county-designated transit-oriented development zones that have a low risk of affecting historically significant resources. Authorizes lead agencies, including county governments, to make determinations on the potential effects of a project. Creates a ninety-day limit, or thirty-day if no historic property is to be affected, to concur or not concur with project effect determinations. Exempts projects with written concurrence from further review unless there is a change to the project or additional historic properties, aviation artifacts, or burial sites are identified within the project area. Establishes notice and reporting requirements if there is a change to the project or additional historic properties, aviation artifacts, or burial sites are identified within the project area after the initial written concurrence. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

Requires the Department of Health, in consultation with various agencies and professionals, to review rules and practices and propose changes that have the potential to make wastewater systems and cesspool upgrades more affordable without compromising water quality. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Redefines "historic property" with respect to the State Historic Preservation Program. Deletes the requirement for an application for a proposed project on an existing privately-owned single-family detached dwelling unit to have a historic preservation review if the unit or townhouse is over fifty years old.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE PARKING.

Removes the exemption that allowed owners of multiple parking facilities within the State to designate and electrify fewer parking spaces than required in one or more of the properties if the requirement for the total number of aggregate spaces on all of their owned properties was met. Authorizes the counties to adopt ordinances to regulate electric vehicle charging systems for places of public accommodation with fewer than one hundred parking spaces. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

RELATING TO MINORS.

Authorizes a licensed health care provider properly trained in the medical forensic care of a patient who has experienced sexual assault or abuse, upon consultation with a minor patient who indicates that the minor was the victim of a sexual offense, with the consent of the minor patient, to perform customary and necessary examinations to obtain evidence of the sexual offense and may prescribe for and treat the patient for any immediate condition caused by the sexual offense. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kim Coco IwamotoDemocrat

RELATING TO IMMIGRATION DETENTION FACILITIES.

Prohibits the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Board of Land and Natural Resources from disposing of or approving the use or setting aside of public lands for the establishment of any immigration detention facility. Prohibits state and county agencies from contracting with the federal government or processing any permit for this purpose.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO MARRIAGE OF MINORS.

Raises the minimum age to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Repeals the authority of parents and the family court to consent to a minor's marriage. Repeals spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Repeals exemptions for sexual assault of a minor if the perpetrator is married to the minor. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO A STATEWIDE DATA AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE GOVERNANCE AND DECISION INTELLIGENCE CENTER.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a data and artificial intelligence governance and decision intelligence center and necessary positions to improve data quality and data sharing statewide.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

PROPOSING A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

Amends the Hawaii State Constitution to prohibit the State from denying or interfering with an individual's reproductive freedom, including the right to choose to obtain an abortion and to obtain or use contraceptives.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO OPEN MEETINGS.

Amends the definition of a "board" under the Sunshine Law to include the Legislature. Clarifies notice period requirements. Repeals the Legislature's exemption from the Sunshine Law. Repeals the exemption for permitted interactions between board members.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to increase the funding of certain Medicaid home and community-based services, including adult day programs and residential services offered in community care foster family homes and expanded adult residential care homes.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Mandates state agencies to prioritize purchasing from local vendors whenever feasible. Allows state agencies to split contracts across multiple local vendors to enhance participation and competitiveness. Specifies when contracts may be awarded to multiple vendors.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

Allows striking workers to be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC BANKING.

Establishes a state-owned bank implementation board within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to determine the need for, potential costs and benefits of, and prerequisites to establishing a state-owned bank. Requires a report to the legislature.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

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 CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires kratom products to be registered with the Department of Health and imposes labeling requirements.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS.

Prohibits the sale, offer, possession with intent to sell, display, distribution, or trade of fur products in the State, with certain exceptions. Establishes civil penalties for violations. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes the Health Information Technology Infrastructure Grant Program within the Department of Health, to be administered by the State Health Planning and Development Agency, to support health information technology infrastructure and the implementation of interoperable health information technologies in federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program centers, and Native Hawaiian health centers. Appropriates funds for the grant program. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds to support educational training programs to expand the State's health care workforce, including funding to support health care certification programs offered in public high schools and education programs that support certified nurse assistants in becoming licensed practical nurses. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO VITAL STATISTICS.

Authorizes the Department of Health to issue commemorative certificates of stillbirth. Establishes fees for the issuance of commemorative certificates of stillbirth, to be deposited into the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATED TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

Requires defendants convicted of causing the death of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of drugs or alcohol to make restitution in the form of financial support to each surviving child of the victim.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Prohibits health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations from arbitrarily denying coverage requests for gender affirming health care services when the requested service is known to be considered a standard of care and for which scientific evidence exists that supports the service. Increases transparency of insurance carrier medical necessity reviews and requirements when coverage is denied.

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRESPASSING.

Establishes a limited alternative process to remove unauthorized persons from residential real property.

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Prohibits the smoking of cannabis and the smoking of cannabis for medical use, including via an electronic smoking device, in any area accessible by the public.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Imposes insurance coverage as a prerequisite for the operation of electric bicycles in a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more. Establishes a regulatory framework for electric bicycle insurance. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM.

Establishes a state income tax deduction for contributions made to Hawaii 529 accounts through the college savings program and accounts made through the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. Conforms to the amendments of the Internal Revenue Code that authorize 529 benefits to be used for K-12 educational expenses. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.

Establishes the Hawaii Food Security Special Fund to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit levels to those provided in federal fiscal year 2023. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys to the Executive Office on Aging. The tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to increase the funding for Medicaid in-home services, conditioned on the Department of Human Services obtaining the maximum federal matching funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO PET ANIMALS.

Prohibits landlords from charging additional monthly fees for the keeping of a pet animal, except in certain circumstances. Prohibits landlords from charging more than one-third of one month's rent as an additional pet animal security deposit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENT.

Short form bill relating to environment.

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

By 1/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2028, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY.

Increases the criminal penalties for the offenses of cruelty to animals in the first and second degree that involve pet animals. Increases the criminal penalty for a second or subsequent offense of causing injury or death to a service animal or law enforcement animal. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO A CHILD TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a refundable child tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to improve Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program rates, including establishing additional positions.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION.

Appropriates funds to the campaign spending commission for permanent positions.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Creates an alternative water source income tax credit for taxpayers who install, place in service, or repair a water catchment system or who purchase water delivery services.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Restricts how much and how often a landlord may increase rent over the course of a twelve month period.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO A COMPENSATORY TIME CASH-OUT PILOT PROGRAM.

Establishes a Compensatory Time Cash-Out Pilot Program for eligible employees of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation who work in any state correctional facility. Appropriates funds.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

Establishes safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Health to establish and administer a three-year Rural Community Health Worker Pilot Program that enables community health workers to provide outreach, education, training, and navigation to individuals residing in rural communities in the State and address social determinants of health. Appropriates funds.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY OUTREACH BOARDS.

Defines community outreach board to mean a board established to serve in a community advisory capacity under a county department. Includes community outreach boards in existing provisions of the Sunshine Law relating to neighborhood boards. Authorizes neighborhood board and community outreach board members to attend meetings or presentations related to official board business statewide. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCIES.

Short form bill relating to emergencies.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, requires the Department of Human Services to: (1) prorate or exclude certain income from household members who are ineligible for the Program; (2) establish a standardized medical expense deduction option for elderly or disabled household members; (3) establish a pre-release Program application form for individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled for release; and (4) report to the Legislature. Specifies that, for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the federal restriction of providing Program benefits to certain individuals does not apply in Hawaii.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO YOUTH AND ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires the State's youth and adult correctional facilities to provide free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated persons in state correctional facilities. Prohibits any state agency from deriving revenue or financial benefit from the provision of communication services to persons confined in state correctional facilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish service quality standards and rules for the free voice communication services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Short form bill relating to public safety.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE KIKIAOLA SMALL BOAT HARBOR.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study of the carrying capacity of Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in the County of Kauai. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Brenton AwaRepublican