Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO AMBULANCES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in Central Maui and fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY INSURANCE.

Requires homeowners insurance producers to notify policyholders that they may submit information regarding improvements made to the insured residential property, which shall then be submitted to the homeowners insurer. Requires homeowners insurers to reevaluate the replacement cost estimate based on the information submitted by a policyholder, and offer the policyholder the option to purchase additional coverage to cover the full amount of the replacement cost estimate. Establishes an administrative penalty. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE INCOME TAX.

Provides that taxable income subject to reporting as distribution on Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-R may be subject to withholding at the taxpayer's election. Requires the Department of Taxation to adopt rules and prescribe forms. Applicable to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO FERAL CHICKENS.

Appropriates funds to each county to facilitate the receipt, handling, and humane disposition of feral chickens that have already been caught. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO MARINE AFFAIRS.

Declares that the State is an ocean cluster. Establishes the Office of Marine Affairs and Marine Affairs Governing Board within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Establishes and appropriates funds for the Marine Affairs Coordinator position. Repeals the powers and duties of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism over marine affairs. Transfers the employees and functions of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Marine Affairs to the Office of Marine Affairs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FUNDS.

Transfers to the general fund the excess balances of various non-general funds and programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR.

Part I: Clarifies that class 10 special licenses may be granted for a period not to exceed three days per application. In counties with fewer than two hundred thousand residents but more than one hundred thousand residents, amends application requirements for class 10 special licenses, including requirements related to electronic submission, naming, and single applications for certain adjacent parcels of land, and prohibits the conditional acceptance of applications based on certain factors. Part II: Increases the maximum percentage of fines assessed by county liquor commissions that may be used to fund public liquor-related educational or enforcement programs. Effective 3/22/2075. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO DEAF INDIVIDUALS.

Authorizes deaf motor vehicle owners to register their vehicle as being owned by a deaf individual so that a deafness designation appears when a law enforcement officer accesses the motor vehicle's information. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO CIVIL RIGHTS.

Requires the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to adopt rules on digital accessibility for places of public accommodations that are consistent with certain federal regulations. Specifies that a violation of the rules is an unlawful discriminatory practice. Establishes it as an unlawful discriminatory practice for a place of public accommodation to deny a person with a disability full and equal enjoyment of their goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations, or information related thereto, by requiring the use of information and communication technology that is not accessible to the person with a disability. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE.

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, to develop a comprehensive plan by 6/30/2027 for the establishment of a Kakou Pilot Program to support families and children in need. Requires the Office to submit preliminary and final reports to the Legislature on the plan and identify an administering agency or agencies for the pilot program. Authorizes the administering agency or agencies to expend Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program funds for the purposes of the Kakou Pilot Program if the Legislature authorizes the establishment of the pilot program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING.

Repeals the sunset date for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna. Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna and for positions to support the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

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 that cover sanitation, health, and safety practices required for natural hair braiding. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a one-year Student-Authored Book Publication Pilot Program. Authorizes the Pilot Program to be conducted for fifth graders at Kalihi public elementary schools to be integrated into existing curricula. Requires a report to the legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to establish a Bachelor of Science degree program in Agricultural Science at University of Hawaii-West Oahu; to fund full-time positions; and for supplies and equipment to support the programs. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO BOATING.

Clarifies the penalties for violations of boating and ocean recreation laws pursuant to chapter 200, HRS. Clarifies the violations that constitute unauthorized conduct. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT.

Appropriates funds for equipment for the Hawaii Island Branch of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms to address economic factors sua sponte or on application by a water carrier. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a water carrier inflationary cost index automatic adjustment mechanism. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to waive or exempt any water carrier from any requirement under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Sunsets 7/1/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Prohibits vehicles from driving on the shoulder of a roadway, except in certain circumstances. Beginning one year after the effective date of this Act, authorizes the Department of Transportation and law enforcement officers to impound vehicles with expired registrations of three years or more, under certain conditions. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Increases the fine amount for owners of out-of-state motor vehicles who fail to register the vehicle in the State. Establishes minimum and maximum statutory penalties for violations relating to the use of high occupancy vehicle lanes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Implements recommendations from the 2025 Advisory Committee on Penal Code Review, established pursuant to Act 245, SLH 2024, to amend the Hawaii Penal Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION.

Lengthens the statute of limitations to file a complaint of discrimination with the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to one year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION.

Establishes the State Fire Code as the minimum statewide standard for fire safety. Prohibits the counties from adopting, amending, or enforcing any ordinance, rule, or code provision that is less restrictive than the State Fire Code. Establishes the State Fire and Life Safety Special Fund. Limits the frequency of fire and safety inspections at state facilities by the Office of the State Fire Marshal to no more than once every three years. Amends Act 302, SLH 2025, by replacing two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions for fire inspectors and three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions for fire investigators with four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) positions for assistant fire marshals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Amends the prohibition on the use of the far left lane by commercial vehicles on roadways with three or more lanes going in the same direction. Restricts motor vehicles towing a vehicle or trailer from using the far left lane, subject to specified exemptions. Establishes penalties for violations. Applies restrictions and penalties to a county with a population of 500,000 or more. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO ESSENTIAL PERMITTING POSITIONS.

Authorizes the mayor of each county with a population of less than five hundred thousand to implement a pilot program to improve the speed, accountability, and quality of permit processing within that county through targeted staffing, performance incentives, and interdepartmental competition. Authorizes increased pay for certain permitting positions and requires county personnel departments to prioritize the hiring of permitting positions as part of the pilot program. Requires participating county mayors and county agencies to establish goals for the pilot program. Requires participating county agencies to submit quarterly reports to the respective county councils on the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot project on 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Requires a statewide permitting data standard developed collaboratively by the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, county permitting agencies, and the Chief Data Officer. Requires each county to publish monthly updates of building and civil engineering permit data in accordance with that standard. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MOTION PICTURE, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND FILM PRODUCTION INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Amends the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit (tax credit) by increasing the amount of the tax credit; requiring each taxpayer claiming the tax credit to submit an independent third-party certification verifying certain information to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; excluding qualified productions that incur at least $60,000,000 of qualified production costs from the per-production cap amount of $17,000,000; changing the aggregate cap amount to an unspecified amount; defining "streaming platform" and amending the definition of "qualified production" to include certain streaming productions; and extending the sunset date of the tax credit to 1/1/2038. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS.

Authorizes the use of moneys in certain special and revolving funds for operation and administration costs of the programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT.

PART I: Redesignates the Stadium Development District as the Halawa Community Development District (HCDD). Amends the composition of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) for purposes of the HCDD. Amends the duties and powers of the HCDA and Stadium Authority as they relate to activities within the HCDD. Clarifies the HCDA's permitting and consultation powers regarding public projects within community development districts. Establishes the HCDD Special Fund. Appropriates funds. PART II: Appropriates funds from the Stadium Development Special Fund for the planning, design, and development of the HCDD, contingent upon on certain requirements. PART III: Requires the HCDA, when planning and developing housing, to endeavor to plan for complete communities that include various aspects supporting quality of life. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND.

Provides a tax credit to taxpayers and makes deposits to the emergency and budget reserve fund and other post-employment benefits trust fund pursuant to article VII, section 6, of the Hawaii State Constitution. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS.

Authorizes the Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors, and Landscape Architects to determine the appropriate educational and examination requirements for landscape architect licensure. Clarifies experience requirements for landscape architect licensure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL LAND TRANSFER.

Revises tax map key numbers and the conveyance process by which identified properties are conveyed to the Department of Education pursuant to Act 307, SLH 2022. Directs the conveyance to the County of Kauai of certain lands held by the Department of Education. Directs the conveyance of land on which Kaimuki Middle School is located from the City and County of Honolulu to the Department of Education. Clarifies that land dispositions of school buildings, facilities, and grounds made by the DOE shall not require approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources when these dispositions are for periods exceeding one year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. (HD2)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSING.

Specifies that registered pharmacy technicians must be at least sixteen years old. Clarifies when registered pharmacy technicians are authorized to administer vaccinations. Authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to renew certificates of registration for registered pharmacy technicians. Clarifies renewal requirements and forfeiture and restoration provisions for certificates of registration. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION'S ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.

Amends various sections of Hawaii's campaign spending laws by requiring designated campaign finance forms to be submitted electronically through the Campaign Spending Commission's upgraded electronic filing system. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Establishes a five-year Office of the State Construction Manager Pilot Program to provide guidance and recommendations on the design review of certain state construction projects administered by the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Education. Requires the Office to assign employees to the certain county agencies to review and approve permit applications under the Pilot Program. Establishes the Design Review Special Fund. Appropriates funds for the Pilot Program and necessary positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a 5-year Hawaii Builds Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Authorizes the use of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for Pilot Program, subject to an annual cap. Mandates interagency coordination and expedited review for projects to facilitate timely delivery of projects. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE INDIVIDUAL HOUSING ACCOUNT PROGRAM.

For taxable years beginning 1/1/2027, (1) increases the maximum annual and total allowable deduction for contributions to individual housing accounts for income tax deductions and (2) increases the maximum allowable contributions for individual housing accounts to qualify for the income tax deductions. Repeals outdated language applicable to first-time home purchases made before 1/1/1990, by persons with an individual housing account. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO PETITIONS TO TEMPORARILY RESTRAIN AND ENJOIN HARASSMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE.

Establishes a two-year pilot project to authorize public employers to petition for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against employment-related harassment of certain public employees. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANTS.

Elevates the offense of harassment to a misdemeanor when committed against a public servant because of or during their performance of official duties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish performance-based incentives, including revenue adjustment mechanisms, cost control mechanisms, and reward and penalty mechanisms on or before 1/1/2027. Clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission is authorized to adopt alternative ratemaking procedures to establish electric utility rates and performance-based incentives. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to apply a presumption in favor of considering historical cost trends and external indices that reflect incentives to control costs if the Commission resets an electric utility's allowed revenues based on consideration of the utility's costs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CORRUPTION.

Establishes a statute of limitations of nine years for a bribery offense. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER.

Specifies that the Chief Election Officer may only be terminated for cause. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE POWERS OF ARTIFICIAL PERSONS.

Reaffirms that artificial persons created under state law possess only those powers that are necessary or convenient to carry out lawful purposes, and that those powers do not include the power to spend money or contribute anything of value to influence elections or ballot measures. Revokes all prior grants of entity powers and regrants only those powers that the State determines to be necessary or convenient to conduct lawful business under the Hawaii State Constitution and laws of this State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS.

Establishes that when a neighborhood board of the City and County of Honolulu has a vacancy, a majority of the filled seats shall constitute quorum for conducting business and a majority vote of the members present at the board's meeting shall validate an act of the board as part of its official business. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL HOUSING UTILITIES.

No later than 1/1/2029, requires each county board of water supply to publish a map of its service area and a list of service-restricted areas on their website. Specifies a procedure for responding to certain water availability requests. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Exempts persons operating wing-in-ground craft engaged in the transportation of passengers from the application of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Defines "wing‑in‑ground craft". Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO REGIONAL SHORELINE MITIGATION DISTRICTS.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to plan and serve in a coordinating role to develop shoreline adaptation pathways plans for regional shoreline mitigation districts designated by OPSD. Establishes procedures for the review of state and county permits associated with regional shoreline mitigation districts. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts certain positions under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) from the requirement that the employment actions and job descriptions of HHFDC officers and employees be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Increases the salary cap for the Executive Director of HHFDC. Renames the position of Executive Assistant to Deputy Executive Director for HHFDC and increases the salary cap for the Deputy Executive Director. Establishes the Finance Manager position within HHFDC. Establishes a cap on the term of employment contracts for HHFDC and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat