Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.

Transfers the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from the Department of Accounting and General Services to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Transfers the authority held by the Comptroller over the Works of Art Special Fund to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Appropriates funds for positions within the Administrative Services Office of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to prioritize funding for certain Hawaii-based businesses. Appropriates funds to assist in the development and promotion of Hawaii-manufactured products through the INNOVATE Hawaii program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATED TO TOURISM.

Amends the types of occurrences for which the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors may request the Governor to declare a tourism emergency. Reduces the minimum balance to be maintained in the Tourism Emergency Special Fund through an allocation of transient accommodations tax revenues.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to exercise its power of eminent domain to acquire certain parcels. Appropriates funds for the acquisition of those parcels.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO A STATE HOTEL.

Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority and School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to jointly perform a study regarding the design, construction or purchase, and operations and management of a state hotel. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Appropriates funds for one retention coordinator position, one internship coordinator position, and student enrollment management initiatives at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST SENIORS.

Removes the requirement that a perpetrator of certain crimes knows or reasonably should know that the victim is a person sixty years of age or older.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Prohibits certain covered educational entities and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation facilities from collecting information regarding citizenship or immigration status or allowing officers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enter certain facilities, except under specific circumstances.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Short form bill relating to consumer protection.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS.

Establishes the Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program within the Judiciary to provide legal representation to individuals in immigration-related proceedings. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders and the requirements to obtain the international teacher license. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for enterprise zone program purposes to include retail sales of tangible personal property manufactured and sold in the enterprise zone that is to be used or consumed by the purchaser and not for resale, the processing of value-added agricultural products grown within an enterprise zone, and the provision of professional services by health care professionals in health care related sectors.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC BICYCLES.

Establishes additional regulations for the registration and use of electric bicycles. Amends the definition of electric bicycles subject to various state laws and classifies electric bicycles by top assisted speed. Defines "electric micro mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro mobility devices. Prohibits anyone under fifteen from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Increasing the age for those required to wear a helmet when operating a bicycle. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO OUT-OF-STATE OFFICES.

Requires, and appropriates funds for, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish an out-of-state office in the Republic of the Philippines. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO DOULAS.

Requires any person providing doula services for compensation or representing or advertising themselves as a certified doula to register with the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes certain rights for certified doulas, including being present during delivery and in any recovery rooms, if requested by the client. Requires the Director to maintain a link to the registry on the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' website. Effective 1/1/2026.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to prioritize development of workforce rental and for-sale housing projects for qualified residents. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to adopt administrative rules. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STABILIZATION OF PROPERTY INSURANCE.

Expands the powers of the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and reactivates the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to help to stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCE.

Short form bill relating to commerce.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Establishes a paid family leave program for state and county employees. Authorizes a qualifying employee to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or placement of a child or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition. Requires the employee to agree to subsequently work for the employer for at least 12 weeks upon return to service except under certain conditions. Effective 1/1/2026.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONTRACTORS.

Repeals the leasing restriction on owner-builders who obtain an owner-builder exemption to act as their own contractor and who build or improve residential or farm buildings or structures on property they own or lease and do not offer the buildings or structures for sale. Requires an owner or lessee to provide signed written notice that the structure for lease or sublease was built or improved by an individual who is not a licensed contractor. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO UTILITIES.

Short form bill relating to utilities.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to provide free breakfast and lunch to students enrolled in a public school who meet certain requirements. 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 an unspecified portion of the cost of preparing the meals. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Establishes the Housing Efficiency and Innovation Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Specifies permissible uses of funding and priorities. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to transfer funds between the Housing Efficiency and Innovation Subaccount and the Rental Housing Revolving Fund without legislative approval. Appropriates funds. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Decreases the time period for the legislative body of a county to approve, approve with modification, or disapprove housing developments exempt from certain requirements pursuant to section 201H-38, HRS, from forty-five days to thirty days.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a working group to revise the State's Qualified Allocation Plan, the prioritization of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund, and the terms of loans made from the RHRF. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Amends the sunset date of Act 83, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, to repeal section 46-19.8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, on June 29, 2025.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts certain state-financed housing developments from the requirement to obtain approval from the applicable county council. Authorizes a county planning director to reject certain permit applications due to a lack of infrastructure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Amends the definition of "cultural". Prohibits the use of consumer fireworks except for cultural use by permit. Repeals the wording of section 132D-3(1), HRS, that generally allows the use of consumer fireworks without a permit on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July. Makes it unlawful to offer, display for sale, sell, or furnish consumer fireworks to any person except for cultural use by permit. Prohibits the sale of fireworks to a person more than 5 calendar days before a permitted cultural use. Imposes a fee of $25 per permit for the purchase and cultural use of consumer fireworks. Imposes a statewide limitation on consumer fireworks, except by permit for cultural use.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ETHICS ADMINISTRATIVE FINES.

Establishes uniform provisions for the assessment of administrative penalties under the State Ethics Code and Lobbyist Law.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO DISASTERS.

Short form bill relating to disasters.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO MIDWIVES.

Establishes a licensing scheme for licensed certified midwives and licensed certified professional midwives, to be overseen by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Re-establishes the home birth task force to provide recommendations on issues related to home births. Dissolves the task force on 6/30/2026. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ISLAND BURIAL COUNCILS.

Decreases the size of the Island Burial Councils from 9 to 7 members. Removes the requirement for the councils to include members having development and large property owner interests.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO DEFERRED RETIREMENT FOR POLICE.

Establishes a deferred retirement option program for police officers.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER.

Defines the public trust responsibilities of the Commission on Water Resource Management. Allows the Commission to retain independent legal counsel. Amends the scope of the Commission to include declaration of emergencies. Repeals the position of Deputy to the Chairperson of the Commission on Water Resource Management and establishes the position of Executive Director. Amends the composition of the Commission. Authorizes entities to challenge an emergency order of the Commission under certain conditions. Establishes fines for certain water use offenses.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STATEWIDE COMPOSTING.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt or amend rules to establish a classification system for composting facilities or operations. Allows composting and co-composting in the agricultural district, including on lands with class A or class B soils. Appropriates moneys.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUNSHINE LAW.

Authorizes any member of a board to attend an informational meeting or presentation on matters relating to board business; provided that the meeting or presentation is not specifically and exclusively organized for or directed toward members of the board. Repeals the requirement of a subsequent report of attendance and the matters presented and discussed that related to board business at the informational meeting or presentation.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Short form bill relating to government.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO PROSPECTIVE JURORS.

Authorizes the Judiciary to determine the format of the juror qualification form and the means of its delivery and return. Removes the requirement that the form be mailed.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Short form bill relating to energy.

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO JURY DUTY.

Increases the amount each juror or prospective juror is paid for each day of actual attendance at court. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EXAMINATION OF CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.

Establishes the amount of compensation for private-sector examiners who evaluate a criminal defendant's penal responsibility or fitness to proceed in a legal case. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the Victim Witness Assistance Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR CAREER CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu for the career criminal prosecution unit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO INTERCEPTION OF WIRE, ORAL, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION.

Removes requirement that all wiretapping applications made to a designated judge be accompanied by a written memorandum from the Department of the Attorney General recommending approval or disapproval.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO BRIBERY.

Establishes heightened penalties for the offense of bribery, under certain circumstances.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TORTURE.

Defines and prohibits the offense of torture.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Short form bill relating to land use.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO ELDER CRIME VICTIMS.

Removes state of mind requirement pertaining to a victim's age for felony assaults aggravated by the victim's age. Raises the threshold age from 60 years of age or older to 65 years of age or older.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Amends the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include bodily injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST MINORS.

Increases the penalty for promoting minor-produced sexual images to a felony if the person is more than three years older than the minor. Extends the probationary term for felony obscenity offenses. Tolls the statute of limitations for obscenity offenses during a victim's minority. Requires sex offender registration for felony obscenity offenses involving minors. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat