Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO FEES.

Provides that any Hawaii-born or Native Hawaiian individual shall qualify for resident fees at state parks, regardless of where the individual currently resides; provided that the individual first presents to the Department of Land and Natural Resources certain documentation.

Elle CochranRepublican

RELATING TO MIDWIVES.

Continues a licensing scheme for licensed certified midwives and licensed certified professional midwives, to be overseen by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Reestablishes 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.

Elle CochranRepublican

RELATING TO COMMUNITIES.

Requires any state or county department pursuing any major plan or work effort that is likely to significantly affect members of any community to: (1) Conduct a public hearing on the issue, and post notices on the department's website; and (2) Send direct notices of the public hearing to state and county elected officials who have constituents in the community.

Elle CochranRepublican

RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates moneys to the Department of Accounting and General Services for the replacement and relocation of the Oahu Community Correctional Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

Changes the name and expands the functions and duties of the Office of International Relations. Establishes the Matsunaga Aloha Pacific Academy within the Office of International Relations.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII BEACH DAY.

Establishes Hawaii Beach Day. Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, to organize and support events and activities to celebrate and observe Hawaii Beach Day. Appropriates funds.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO ACUPUNCTURE.

Recognizes individuals practicing acupuncture as essential health care providers who are subject to regulation and control.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO MEAT DONATION.

Exempts the donation of wild game meat or meat products, including axis deer, to a charitable, religious, or nonprofit organization for the purpose of feeding needy individuals from certain laws regarding the inspection and transportation of meat. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a general excise tax exemption for the gross proceeds or income from the manufacture, production, packaging, and sale of diapers. Establishes a surcharge on the general excise tax and use tax for the sale or use of luxury cars.

Kim Coco IwamotoDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Amends the prohibition against contributions to a candidate committee or noncandidate committee by state and county contractors to include state and county grantees and the owners, officers, consultants, and joint account holders of a state or county contractor or state or county grantee.

Kim Coco IwamotoDemocrat

RELATING TO ENDEMIC PLANTS.

Requires the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish an endemic plant seed bank pilot program to preserve and promote the planting of plant species that are endemic to Hawaii. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Establishes a 2-year homelessness sanctuary pilot program, to be administered by the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness in coordination with the Department of Human Services and the City and County of Honolulu. Directs the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to designate a specific location on state or county land for the pilot program, which shall serve as a safe location for homeless individuals and families to reside and access services. Requires the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness and the coordinator's partner agencies to provide certain facilities and services at the designated location. Requires reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 12/31/2027. Appropriates moneys.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts food and groceries from the general excise tax. Expands a 2024 session law exempting certain medical and dental services to include all medical and dental services.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST ELDERS.

Establishes strict liability for crimes against elders with respect to the attendant circumstance that the victim was sixty years of age or older.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Establishes tax credits for insurers providing full property coverage to owners and associations of condominiums in the amount equal to twenty per cent of the insurance premium. Provides additional ten per cent tax credits to insurers incorporated in the State.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY PROGRAMS.

Expands programming and training for the comprehensive offender re-entry program under the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to reduce the rate of recidivism and increase inmate marketability and workforce readiness. Appropriates funds.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy that bans the use of phones and related devices by students during school hours. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education's existing Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) working group to create a state plan to make completion of the FAFSA or an opt-out waiver a statewide graduation requirement by the 2027-2028 school year. Requires a report to the 2026 legislature.

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to subsidize all tuition and mandatory fees for a resident student enrolled in a 4-year college campus of the University of Hawaii System with an education program or that offers an education degree for the semester or term that the student enrolls in a State-Approved Teacher Education Program under certain conditions. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD2)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement negotiated for Bargaining Unit (5) and subject to the availability of funds, provides annual salary step increases for public school teachers who have completed a year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO FISHING.

Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources a permitting system for the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the taking of aquatic life. Repeals prohibition on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the taking of aquatic life. Provides a timeline for implementation of the permitting system.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to authorize Medicaid coverage through the Children's Health Insurance Program to income-qualified pregnant persons and children regardless of immigration status. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SECOND REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the second representative district.

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920, AS AMENDED.

Increases the limit of the State's liability for moneys borrowed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands or loans made to lessees that are guaranteed by the Department from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii I Hoa Na Moolelo program, including for the hiring of a graduate assistant, hiring of undergraduate writers, and acquiring a new website domain. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to purchase a parcel of land identified as tax map key: (1) 9-1-013-025.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STADIUM DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL FUND.

Requires conditions placed on appropriations to the Stadium Development Special Fund to be met before expenditure. Subjects expenditure by the Stadium Authority of an appropriation out of the Stadium Development Special Fund on the completion of specific project readiness conditions. Appropriates moneys.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISLAND OF HAWAII.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvement projects for the benefit of the Island of Hawaii.

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO FLOOD MITIGATION.

Appropriates funds for a flood mitigation study of Hoaka Road in Hilo, Hawai‘i, contingent upon a dollar-for-dollar match by the County of Hawai‘i.

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO MISSING PERSONS.

Establishes and appropriates moneys for a Missing Indigenous Person Alert program to help locate indigenous persons who are missing and thought to be in danger.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EIGHTEENTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriated funds for capital improvement projects in the 18th representative district.

WARD

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a refundable income tax credit to offset the increase in real property insurance premiums for certain properties.

WARD

RELATING TO THE STATE CAPITOL.

Requires DAGS and DPS, in consultation with the legislature and other entities, to plan and implement security improvements at the state capitol. Requires DAGS to remove all parking meters from the capitol parking facility and reallocate parking in the capitol district. Appropriates funds.

WARD

RELATING TO PROBATION.

Establishes the Hawaii Opportunity Probation with Enforcement Program to be administered by the Judiciary.

WARD

RELATING TO SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC.

Amends Act 205, SLH 2024, by: reducing undue burdens on charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities, including requirements related to good standing, reporting complaints, waivers of certain requirements, solicitation campaign records, and contracts; and extending its effective date until 6/30/2026. Effective 7/1/2026.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO PERMITS.

Establishes specific deadlines within the facilitated application process and requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish certain resources and processes to help streamline permit applications. Appropriates funds.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FOURTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the fourth representative district.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Authorizes the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish a two-year Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program to provide fifty per cent matching grants to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the United States Department of Defense Office of Naval Research. Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund. Sunsets the grant program on 6/30/2027.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO AIR POLLUTION.

Requires owners or operators of waste combustion facilities to develop a plan to implement continuous monitoring and sampling technologies at each combustion unit to monitor and sample for certain air contaminants. Requires a publicly available website hosted by the Department of Health to track and display the data collected on the air contaminants. Requires the Department of Health to adjust permit limits for air contaminants based on the data collected. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires each county, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation, to establish a Summer Streets Pilot Program that closes vehicular traffic and repurposes roads for pedestrian and cyclist use, outdoor events, and other community-driven activities. Requires each county to submit an initial proposal to the Director of Transportation. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals on 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a tax credit for landlords who charge below-market rent and assesses an additional privilege tax on landowners who charge above-market rent, under certain conditions. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to determine median market rent for rental units by geographic area for the purposes of the below-market rent tax credit and above-market rent tax.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY AND BUDGET RESERVE FUND.

Adds, as an allowable use of the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund, economic payments to certain residents who have incurred losses in a disaster for which the Governor has declared a state of emergency.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

Establishes a Rehabilitation and Re-entry Services Task Force. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Establishes an Extended Producer Responsibility Program. Requires certain producers of fast-moving consumer goods to register with the Department of Health and pay an annual fee based on the amount of packaging volume the covered producer places on the market each calendar year. Provides for the deposit of fees into an Extended Producer Responsibility Special Fund. Provides for the expenditure of moneys from the Extended Producer Responsibility Special Fund for the creation of a countywide needs assessment of resources needed to reduce the volume of packaging waste sent to landfills or power plants that burn municipal solid waste as a fuel by fifty per cent and eighty per cent by a date to be determined by rule. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 7/1/2032.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX CREDITS.

Establishes a Recycled or Waste Inputs Tax Credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/25.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO SHORT-TERM VACATION RENTALS.

Establishes the Hawaii Community Housing and Rental Oversight Agency within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to establish and oversee a process for receiving and addressing complaints relating to short-term vacation rentals, in coordination with the county planning departments. Establishes penalties for noncompliance. Prohibits persons with interests in short-term vacation rentals from serving on governing boards of planned communities and condominiums. Appropriates moneys.

Christopher L. MuraokaRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Requires the Department of Taxation to establish a pilot program that would grant participating landlords a certain general excise tax exemption for each unit they rent to a long-term tenant with a pet. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit reports to the Legislature.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY LEAVE.

Allows family leave to also apply to an employee's domestic partner or the child of an employee's domestic partner.

Terez AmatoDemocrat