Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII REVENUE BONDS.

Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to issue revenue bonds for the purpose of financing qualifying priority capital improvement projects. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Establishes a temporary, independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission to develop and recommend a comprehensive package of school consolidations, realignments, and closures based on the federal Base Realignment and Closure model. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires an expedited approval process by the Governor and Legislature. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD2)

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires insurers to provide explanation of premium increases upon request; clarifies grounds for denial, suspension, and revocation of an adjuster and bill reviewer license; clarifies procedures for denying, suspending, and revoking an insurance producer license; and amends the notice requirements for cancellation or nonrenewal of a property insurance policy. Clarifies the date on which purchase groups are required to pay an annual service fee. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Requires the Department of Education to charge not less than one-quarter of the cost of preparing a school meal for each school meal. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920.

Amends the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, to include sibling's children as qualifying relatives of lessees for the purposes of lease transfer and lease successorship, in the same manner currently allowed for spouses, children, grandchildren, and siblings. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Provides an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services to replace general fund appropriations redirected to provide emergency food assistance during the 2025 federal government shutdown. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEMS OF CARE.

Modernizes Hawaii's emergency medical services laws to align with current best practices. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

Authorizes the Department of Health to establish a vacation payout pilot program in which eligible Department of Health employees may defer unused vacation leave credits in favor of a pay out to provide home purchase down payment assistance. Requires reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE HEALTH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

Amends the functions and responsibilities of the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Adds a new definition of "health care" for chapter 323D, HRS. Amends the exemption threshold for bed changes to up to thirty per cent of existing licensed bed types. Exempts the Department of Health from certificate of need requirements. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE AUDITOR, THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU, THE OMBUDSMAN, AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION.

Appropriates funds to provide for the expenses of the Legislature, Auditor, Legislative Reference Bureau, Ombudsman, and Ethics Commission. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DOWNPAYMENT LOAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Amends the Downpayment Loan Assistance Program by: removing the prohibition on combined loan-to-value ratios; clarifying the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's authority to establish interest rates and allow payment waivers and interest forgiveness; authorizing financial institutions, mortgage lenders, and other loan originators to originate downpayment loans; and reducing the borrower's required personal contribution toward the downpayment. Authorizes borrowers to use a portion of a downpayment loan to pay for closing costs, prepaids, and reserves for the purchase of the residential property for which the downpayment loan is provided. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining units (1) and (10) and their excluded counterparts to resolve issues related to temporary hazard pay for fiscal year 2025-2026. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (11) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to administer a statewide program for certification of active intelligent speed assistance systems and select a vendor for the installation and maintenance of systems. Limits the civil liability of motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and retailers for active intelligent speed assistance systems. Makes circumventing or tampering with an active intelligent speed assistance system a misdemeanor. Allows the Judiciary to impose the installation of active intelligent speed assistance systems as an additional penalty and as part of a license suspension or revocation for repeat offenders of certain traffic violations. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes within the Department of Health a one-year KupunAloha pilot program to provide in-home health care and support services to eligible participants who do not otherwise qualify for government assistance for these services. Appropriates funds for the program. Pilot program sunsets 6/30/27. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Requires all public schools in the State to prohibit high-speed electric devices on public school campuses. Prohibits electric bicycles on elementary and middle or intermediate school campuses. Authorizes public high schools to require county registration and decals for any electric bicycle brought onto its premises and deny entry or require parent retrieval for an unregistered electric bicycle. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines "electric bicycle" in place of "low-speed electric bicycle". Authorizes the seizure of non-road-legal, nonconforming electric bicycles and high-speed electric devices. Defines "electric micro-mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters. Prohibits a person under the age of sixteen from operating a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle without direct supervision. Authorizes a person to ride an electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes. Substitutes the term "motor scooter" with the term "motor-driven cycle". Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings and treatment for certain persons. Requires state-funded coverage for follow-up treatment for colorectal cancer for certain persons. Requires coverage to include a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive test result. Specifies that coverage is not subject to a deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirements. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Expands the protections established under Act 2, SLH 2023, to include gender-affirming health care services, including clarifying permitted disclosures of protected health information to address changes in federal regulations. Establishes protections against abusive litigation. Prohibits medical malpractice insurers and health carriers from taking certain adverse actions against health care providers solely on the basis that the health care provider provides lawful reproductive health care services or gender-affirming health care services. (SD2)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Part I: Requires the Department of Education and state public charter schools to take certain steps to better address the harassment of educational workers, including sports officials. Authorizes the Attorney General to assist educational workers, including sports officials at department of education or public charter school sporting events, who have been subject to harassment or intentional bodily injury in obtaining a temporary restraining order. Part II: Clarifies that a sports official's duties cover sports events at public schools and private schools. Makes intentional or knowing bodily injury of an educational worker or a sports official engaged in the lawful discharge of their duties a class C felony for the first offense and a class B felony for a second or subsequent offense within ten years. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Provides annual salary step increases for public schools and public charter school teachers who have completed one year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements, if negotiated into a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 89-9, HRS, and subject to funds appropriated by the Legislature. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to include the instruction of braille and provision of braille instructional materials under certain circumstances; provide braille literacy support services; cooperate with the Department of Human Services when requested to submit information necessary to maintain a register of the blind in the State; provide comprehensive information about braille literacy services, assistive technology devices, and assistive technology services, including educational programming options; and participate in the development of section 504 plans and individualized education programs. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that, for tax credits issued after 7/1/2026, 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 taxpayer. Extends the sunset date of Act 129, SLH 2016, relating to the low-income housing tax credit, until 12/31/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Allows small condominium associations with a building or buildings of no more than two stories to waive the requirement for the reserve study to be reviewed by an independent reserve study preparer if a majority of unit owners at a meeting approve the waiver and certain other requirements are met, but prohibits associations from waiving this requirement for consecutive three-year periods. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS.

Establishes the Community Behavioral Health Clinics Certifying Office to certify and decertify community behavioral health clinics and provide technical assistance for clinics seeking certification. Establishes the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Oversight Board. Amends the composition of the Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances and State Council on Mental Health to include a member from the Community Behavioral Health Clinics Certifying Office. Establishes decertification process. Limits state liability. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

For policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2026, requires insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for standard fertility preservation services for persons undergoing medically necessary treatment that may cause iatrogenic infertility. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD2)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Adjusts and requests appropriations for fiscal biennium 2025‑2027 funding requirements for operations and capital improvement projects of Executive Branch agencies and programs. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CHARITABLE SOLICITATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027: establishes prompt payment and financial reporting requirements for professional solicitors that sell donated or collected non-perishable tangible property on behalf of charitable organizations and prohibits these professional solicitors from failing to visibly display certain signage; comply with prompt payment, financial reporting, and contract term requirements; or prominently disclose certain information on any collection bin, container, or receptacle used to receive donated or collected property. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Explicitly applies existing grant standards to Performing Arts Grants Program grants under the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Effective 7/13/2085. (SD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS.

Requires the Department of Health to allow for the installation and operation of rainwater catchment systems for potable and nonpotable uses on all properties. Requires the Department of Health to regulate and enforce standards for the use of rainwater catchment systems. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO FARM EMPLOYEE HOUSING.

Clarifies the allowable uses within agricultural districts with respect to farm dwellings and farm employee housing. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Repeals the prohibition against qualified residents for Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation-approved projects holding a majority interest in land and repeals the requirement that qualified residents demonstrate financial viability or ability to pay rent. Adds an eligibility requirement limiting total value of assets and property. Amends exemptions from statutes, ordinances, charter provisions, and rules for certain housing projects developed by the Corporation that satisfy certain conditions, including requirements related to employment, owner-occupancy, and deed restrictions. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Deems a county inclusionary mandate as a form of development exaction and treats the mandate as a housing affordability impact fee, with certain exemptions. Prohibits a county from adopting, amending, or enforcing an inclusionary mandate or inclusionary mandates for residential or mixed-use development, under certain circumstances. Establishes additional requirements for a needs assessment study for a county-imposed inclusionary mandate. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INTIMATE IMAGES.

Enacts the Uniform Civil Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images Act (Modified). Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain necessary supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates moneys. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Authorizes the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct a phased review of a proposed project on private property under certain circumstances. Amends the process and deadlines by which SHPD must provide written concurrence or non-concurrence for proposed projects on private property or certain projects that require state or county approval for entitlement for use. Clarifies when an application for a proposed project on an existing privately-owned residential property shall be subject to the requirements of section 6E-42, HRS. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Amends, for purposes of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's Rent-to-Own Program, the period during which the sales price of a dwelling unit is required to remain fixed from 5 years to a period of up to 10 years. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Prohibits the Land Use Commission from imposing exactions from a residential development for educational purposes. Repeals school impact fees. Abolishes school impact fee subaccounts within the School Facilities Special Fund and transfers unencumbered balances to the School Facilities Special Fund. Abolishes fair share contribution and impact fee accounts within the DOE Donations – Facilities Trust and transfers unencumbered balances to the School Facilities Special Fund. Provides that any existing educational contribution agreements executed with the Department of Education or School Facilities Authority before the repeal of school impact fees shall remain in effect. Transfers existing educational contribution agreements from the Department of Education to the School Facilities Authority. Repeals a requirement for the School Facilities Authority to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds from the School Facilities Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Limits mixed-use developments to transit-oriented developments that include housing along a locally preferred alternative for a mass transit system. Repeals the sunset date of Act 45, SLH 2024, thereby making permanent the authority of the counties to share in facilitating the development, construction, financing, refinancing, or other provision of mixed-use developments, including low- and moderate-income housing projects, and issue county bonds before 7/1/2033 for this purpose. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO PHARMACY.

Specifies a framework for the administration of audits of records of registered pharmacists and pharmacies. Amends the definition of "pharmacy benefit manager" under chapter 431S, HRS, to exclude certain health maintenance organizations. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO CAFETERIA PLANS.

Requires the maximum contribution and carryover amounts for a public service flexible spending account plan to be set annually in accordance with the maximum amounts allowed under section 125 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL IDENTIFICATION.

Lowers the age to obtain a state civil identification card without a signature from a parent or guardian from eighteen years old to sixteen years old. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers to certify to the Department of the Attorney General annually that the manufacturer received a Marketing Granted Order from the federal Food and Drug Administration and that the manufacturer is in compliance with federal regulations and state laws. Requires the Department to compile and make public a directory of all electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers and products duly certified. Establishes penalties for manufacturers that fail to comply with the certification requirements and for other parties that acquire, possess, transport, keep, sell, or offer for sale products that are not in the directory. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSIONS.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a Cesspool Conversion Revolving Loan Fund, to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, to provide financial assistance, including low-interest or forgivable loans, to eligible homeowners for the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Exempts certain positions in the Developmental Disabilities Division of the Department of Health and Hawaii State Hospital from civil service. Authorizes the Director of Health to appoint two additional associate administrators and two project managers for the Hawaii State Hospital or a secure psychiatric rehabilitation facility. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Repeals the authorization of a physician to transmit a treatment plan by mail or facsimile to an address or facsimile number provided by the employer. Requires employers denying a treatment plan to file a written denial with the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations within seven days of receipt. Places the burden of proof on the employer to establish by a preponderance of medical evidence that the denial of the treatment plan is justified. Establishes a presumption that a denial of a treatment plan not supported by a medical opinion or relevant medical records existing at the time of denial shall be without reasonable grounds. Clarifies that a treatment plan is deemed accepted if an employer fails to file a written denial within the seven-day period. Requires employers to pay the appropriate health care provider for any medical care set forth in a treatment plan that is accepted or deemed accepted. Establishes penalties for employers whom the Director found to have denied a treatment plan without reasonable grounds, frivolously, or primarily for purposes of delay, or to have failed to pay for an injured employee's medical care under an accepted treatment plan. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Conditions the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate. Amends the penalty for obstruction of a license plate. Allows state or county parking enforcement officers and persons authorized by a state or county law enforcement agency to issue citations for vehicles with a cover or shield obstructing the license plate. Repeals the requirement that a cover or shield be intended to alter or interfere with the visibility, legibility, or identification of a license plate by law enforcement or traffic enforcement systems. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Clarifies the process for selecting a certified provider of vocational rehabilitation services. Requires certified providers to automatically approve vocational rehabilitation services for an injured employee if those services will likely be required for suitable gainful employment and the initial evaluation report finds the injured employee feasible to participate. Requires providers to file an employee's vocational rehabilitation plan no later than one hundred twenty days after submitting an initial evaluation report, unless extended by the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations. Clarifies the process for an employer to object to a vocational rehabilitation plan. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Authorizes an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination and refer an injured employee for the examination without first obtaining permission from the employee's employer in order to assess the employee's ability to return to work. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat