Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Reduces the amount the Department of Education is authorized to charge for school meals to all students enrolled in department schools to no more than one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FUNDS.

Establishes the Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Special Fund. Mandates the allocation of all earned interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the newly established special fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Increases the transient accommodations tax and allocates a portion of the tax to the general fund for projects that address climate change impacts and advance economic development and revitalization. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION PROCESSING.

Requires that the Attorney General's identification system include criminal cases initiated via citations that resulted in conviction, deferred acceptance of guilty or nolo contendere plea, or conditional discharge, and that a court order identification processing in such cases.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Clarifies and expands the circumstances and procedures available for emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization under chapter 334. Provides limits on liability for state and local governments and professionals during mental health emergency procedures while performing their duties in the course of employment. Expands the notice requirements for an emergency hospitalization to include an individual's health-care surrogate and clarifies when notice to family members can be waived. Removes the authority of the family court to appoint a legal guardian in a proceeding for involuntary hospitalization. Removes the requirement that psychiatric facilities wait for a response on a notice of intent to discharge an involuntary hospitalization patient prior to discharge. Clarifies the circumstances under which a subject of an order for assisted community treatment can be administered medication over the subject's objection. Provides limits on liability for an assisted community treatment provider. Modifies the administrative authorization of medical treatment over the patient's objection to be reviewed by a single decision-maker who is a psychiatrist.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace chapters 327E and 327G, HRS. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Amends multiple definitions and penalties for fireworks offenses, including heightened penalties if another person suffers substantial bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death as a result of the fireworks offenses. Establishes criminal offenses of general fireworks or articles pyrotechnic prohibitions in the first and second degree; sending or receiving fireworks or articles pyrotechnic by air delivery; distributing fireworks or articles pyrotechnic to non-permit holder; removal or extraction of pyrotechnic contents; consumer fireworks prohibitions; refusal to provide identification; and violating requirements of carrier. Establishes an adjudication system and procedures to process fireworks infractions; makes an appropriation.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Includes agricultural tourism in the definition of "enterprise" to authorize the Agribusiness Development Corporation to financially support farming businesses engaged in agricultural tourism. Transfers the Agricultural Development Division of the Department of Agriculture to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS OF STATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to determine the effect of any proposed State affordable housing project within ninety days of a request for determination. Bases the historic review requirements on the project area's known or likely density of historic, cultural, and archaeological resources or previous identification of no significant historic properties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent. Allows partial or full repayment of Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund interim loans in the form of unit equity through the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS.

Authorizes neighborhood boards to solicit suggestions for capital improvement projects and operating budget priorities from residents. Requires each county mayor to consider and respond in writing to the suggestions for capital improvement projects and operating budget priorities submitted by each neighborhood board. Requires each county council to consider the neighborhood boards' recommendations, the mayor's responses, and county fiscal health in determining the final budget.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOTELS.

Requires a hotel to provide notification of a service disruption, or that a service disruption may occur, to all third-party vendors and prospective and current guests. Prohibits a hotel from imposing any fee, penalty, or other charge, or retaining any deposit: if before check-in, a guest cancels a reservation due to a service disruption, unless the hotel provided prior notice; or if the service disruption arises after check-in, regardless of whether the hotel provided prior notification.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO CARBON DISPLACEMENT.

Establishes a carbon displacement tax credit for taxpayers of locally produced goods. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to certify tax credit amounts.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS.

Disallows the dividends paid deduction for real estate investment trusts. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO HARBORS.

Requires the Department of Transportation to construct, maintain, and operate customs and security facilities at commercial harbors.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that a partner or member that is a partnership or limited liability company that has been allocated a low-income housing tax credit may either further allocate the credit or transfer, sell, or assign all or a portion of the credit to any person. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, from 12/31/2027 to 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO BI-LEVEL LIGHTING SYSTEMS.

Requires all newly constructed state buildings and facilities to use only bi-level lighting systems beginning 1/1/2026.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH.

Establishes the Parkinson's Disease Research Collection Database to be administered by the State Health Planning and Development Agency, to house a collection of data on the incidence of Parkinson's disease in the State. Establishes the Parkinson's Disease Research Collection Database Advisory Committee. Requires the Agency to create a Parkinson's disease research collection database webpage by 1/1/2026, and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Prohibits persons from operating a medical cannabis dispensary or producing, manufacturing, or selling cannabis products without a license from the Department of Health. Prohibits individuals from providing certain services to individuals engaging in unlicensed cannabis operations. Requires the Department of Health to send a cease and desist notice to violators. Establishes criminal penalties.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

Establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for prior authorization process in the State, including disclosure and notice requirements for utilization review entities regarding their prior authorization requirements and restrictions; qualifications and criteria for prior authorization review and appeals personnel; prior authorization process for non-urgent and urgent health care services, including the time frame by which utilization review entities must render a decision; adverse determination and appeal processes; prohibition of prior authorization for emergency health care services and medication for opioid use disorder; payments to health care providers; length and duration of prior authorizations; and exemptions for certain health care providers. Requires health insurers to utilize NCPDP SCRIPT Standard electronic prior authorization transactions by 1/1/2026. Requires utilization review entities to submit annual reports to the Insurance Commissioner each year. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules by 1/1/2026.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts from the general excise tax amounts received by a nurse entrepreneur for health care-related goods and services purchased under Medicaid, Medicare, or TRICARE.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO IRONWORKERS.

Prohibits any person from disassembling, dismantling, or demolishing iron projects unless the person has completed an apprenticeship program for ironworkers approved and registered with the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations. Establishes penalties. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Exempts the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs from the general excise tax. Incrementally increases the general excise tax over four years, with the increased proceeds during certain fiscal years to be deposited into the general fund. Removes the state income tax on unemployment compensation benefits. Doubles the standard deduction for individuals earning less than $100,000 and joint returns earning less than $200,000. Repeals the incremental increases on standard income tax deduction amounts. Increases the minimum income threshold and exemption amount for the low-income household renters' income tax credit. Removes the tax liability for the first $100,000 of individual income earned. Establishes the Maui Recovery Special Fund to be used for recovery programs related to the 2023 Maui wildfires. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish and administer a two-year school librarian pilot program to provide funding for qualifying schools to hire librarians. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST ELDERS.

Establishes strict liability for crimes against elders with respect to the attendant circumstance that the victim was seventy years of age or older. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRESPASSING.

Prohibits loitering or camping near state-owned streambanks. Authorizes law enforcement or authorized personnel to remove individuals after notice. Appropriates funds to support enforcement, public education, and environmental restoration efforts.

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MICROPLASTICS.

Establishes a microplastic filtration rebate program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL TOURISM.

Establishes statewide, uniform standards to promote agricultural tourism activities in the State for all counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance. Requires agricultural tourism activities to be registered by the county planning department. Requires agricultural tourism activities to coexist with an agricultural activity on a farming operation and requires termination of the agricultural tourism activities upon cessation of the agricultural activity, except under certain circumstances. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

Establishes the Statewide Interagency Food Systems Coordination Team and the Interagency Food Systems Working Group within the Department of Agriculture. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC.

Allows students enrolled in certain qualifying chiropractic colleges to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a qualified licensed chiropractor. Requires the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Establishes the Office of the State Architect within the Department of Accounting and General Services to be headed by the State Architect. Authorizes the State Architect to organize, manage, and oversee the design review of all state construction projects and issue design approvals. Establishes the Design Review Special Fund. Requires the State Architect to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature. Authorizes DAGS to provide centralized design review services for state construction projects and issue design approvals through the State Architect. Exempts state construction projects from county building permit, inspection, and certificate of occupancy requirements, subject to certain conditions. Makes appropriations.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO IMPACT FEES.

Authorizes condominium associations and planned community associations located in a zoning district that allows for transient vacation rentals to impose an impact fee on owners or members who use their units as transient vacation rentals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

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 1/1/3000. (HD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires the Department of Budget and Finance to enter into step-in agreements for payment obligations arising under certain power purchase agreements. Establishes the Power Purchase Costs Trust Fund. Establishes that money collected from on-bill charges for power purchase agreements and money received from a surcharge supporting a reserve account that are deposited in the Trust Fund shall be held in trust by the State, and that independent power producers shall hold a beneficial interest in the moneys to the extent of the amounts owed under the covered power purchase agreements. Appoints, authorizes, and empowers an electric utility to serve as the billing, collection, and payment agent of the Department of Budget and Finance in the service of performing step-in agreements. (SD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO CARBON SEQUESTRATION INCENTIVES.

Codifies and makes permanent the Hawaii Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL.

Amends the renewable fuels production tax credit by: increasing the tax credit rate; specifying that the credit may be claimed for fuels that meet certain lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and product transportation emissions thresholds; adding credit values for low lifecycle emissions renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuels produced; allowing a taxpayer who previously claimed a credit to claim another credit for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024; amending the credit period to be for a maximum period of ten consecutive years beginning from the effective date of this Act; and amending the required information in the certified statement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

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. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC UTILITIES.

Provides the Public Utilities Commission the authority to appoint a receiver to take temporary action necessary to assure continued adequate electric services from regulated investor-owned electric utilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATED TO SUMMARY POSSESSION.

Requires that a current general excise tax license number for any rental income be filed with the complaint to the court for summary possession proceedings. Requires the Judiciary to submit an annual list of certain information regarding summary possession cases to the Department of Taxation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMALS.

Amends the law authorizing the killing of mongoose by clarifying the circumstances under which mongoose may be killed and authorizing feral chickens to be killed under certain circumstances. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO ATTORNEYS' FEES.

Limits the accrued attorneys' fees and costs in matters relating to, or actions brought as a result of, construction defects to twenty-five per cent of the recovery amount. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO WILDFIRES.

Establishes a working group within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to conduct a study concerning the creation of a Wildfire Recovery Fund. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.

Establishes an alternative pathway to licensure for certified public accountant license applicants by permitting applicants to demonstrate completion of an additional twelve months of professional experience in the practice of public accountancy or completion of no less than an additional thirty semester hours of study. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO PESTICIDE DRIFT MONITORING.

Appropriates funding to the department of agriculture to continue the statewide pesticide drift monitoring study.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PESTICIDE USE REVOLVING FUND.

Increases the ceiling of the pesticide use revolving fund. Effective July 1, 2025.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation scores, except the summary of scores, during a debriefing requested by a non-selected offeror. Authorizes the disclosure of a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation scores after a protest is resolved and the contract is executed. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat