Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO NUCLEAR ENERGY.

Establishes the Nuclear Energy Task Force within the Hawaii State Energy Office. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits covered entities in the State from entering into contracts with drug manufacturers that limit the covered entities' use of contract pharmacies. Voids contract provisions for certain drugs if the provisions are based on the maximum allowable cost payment model. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action for violations.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATED TO CARE HOMES.

Increases the state supplemental payment ceilings for type I adult residential care homes, licensed developmental disabilities domiciliary homes, community care foster family homes, certified adult foster homes, and type II adult residential care homes. Authorizes an additional payment for resident clients residing in these homes when state funds for the state supplemental payment for a specific fiscal year are not fully expended, under certain circumstances.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATED TO CARE HOMES.

Increases the state supplemental payment ceilings for type I adult residential care homes, licensed developmental disabilities domiciliary homes, community care foster family homes, certified adult foster homes, and type II adult residential care homes.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

Makes certain urban development and land use requirements applicable only to counties with a population of less than five hundred thousand, including: vesting the director of the county land use agency with the administrative authority to act on any application for subdivision, consolidation, or resubdivision; the required adoption or amendment of an ordinance to allow at least two accessory dwelling units, subject to certain conditions, on all residentially zoned lots; the calculation of certain school impact fees; and a prohibition on private covenants that include certain limitations or restrictions for residentially zoned lots within an urban district.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Resources Development for the establishment of three permanent full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions and the development and implementation of a leadership training module for manager level positions.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include any individual or household whose monthly income is equal to or less than three hundred per cent of the federal poverty level. Appropriates funds.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO SAFE ENTRYWAYS.

Prohibit individuals from residing in a doorway or surrounding area of certain places. Gives county police departments primary authority to enforce the prohibition.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR.

Establishes a three-year surcharge on the liquor tax. Repeals 06/30/2028.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO FRESHWATER WATERWAYS.

Prohibits residing in, on, or within fifty feet of a freshwater waterway. Authorizes state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Conservation and Resources Enforcement Program and county police, to enforce the prohibition.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATED TO SAFE WATER.

Prohibits the addition of fluoride to a public water system. Preempts and voids conflicting laws, executive orders, ordinances, regulations, or rules.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an income tax credit of $3,000 for retired service members of the Hawaii National Guard.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

Authorizes pedestrians to cross roadways in a manner contrary to the statewide traffic code under certain circumstances.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVATE SECTOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS.

Expands the types of employees protected by the Hawaii Employment Relations Act to include independent contractors and all individuals subject to the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to transition the Red Raider Productions student organization at Kauai High School into a learning center through the Department of Education's learning centers program.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE X, SECTION 1, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO REQUIRE THAT THE STATEWIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM BE THOROUGH AND EFFICIENT.

Proposes an amendment to article X, section 1, of the Hawaii State Constitution to require that the statewide public school system be thorough and efficient.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO FREESTANDING BIRTHING FACILITIES.

Establishes licensure requirements for freestanding birthing facilities.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Clarifies the scope of an action subject to environmental review.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO VETERANS.

Short form bill relating to veterans.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO MARRIAGE OF MINORS.

Raises the minimum age requirement to enter into marriage from sixteen to eighteen years of age. Removes the parental consent and written approval by the family court requirements for a minor to marry. Removes spousal cohabitation after the parties attain legal age as an exception for an annulment based on nonage. Makes conforming amendments.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE FOR HAWAII CONDOMINIUM PROPERTIES.

Requires property insurers to offer discounts on a condominium association's annual insurance premium if the association adopts specific risk mitigation upgrades or develops comprehensive disaster response plans. Requires property insurers of condominiums to base premium increases on actuarial justifications that reflect actual risk reduction resulting from upgraded fire safety improvements installed in conjunction with a building fire and life safety evaluation. Requires property insurers of condominiums to justify premium increases above 10%. Requires property insurers of condominiums to publicly report premium increases each year.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

Short form bill relating to Hawaiian affairs.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Provides an income tax deduction for tips received by tipped employees.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Short form bill relating to the Judiciary.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires all department schools to offer community policing programs including DARE, LEEP, and PAL. Authorizes the department of education to work with the department of law enforcement and local police departments to implement the programs. Requires a faculty liaison.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE ANALYST.

Requires the office of legislative analyst to produce fiscal notes on all fiscal bills. Prohibits a committee from making a decision on a fiscal bill without a fiscal note. Mandates that fiscal notes be made available to the public. Appropriates funds.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Authorizes a registered pharmacist under contract with a covered entity for purposes of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to supervise via telehealth the filling or receipt of a prescription in certain circumstances.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires the Department of Education to include the teaching of financial literacy in the personal transition plan requirement for each student.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LABELING OF MACADAMIA NUTS.

Specifies that the macadamia nut labeling requirements apply if the applicable products are produced in whole or in part from Hawaii-grown and Hawaii-processed macadamia nuts. Effective 1/2/2026.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Repeals statutory language that currently authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to: (1) inspect a qualifying medical cannabis patient's medical records held by the health provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient; and (2) suspend or revoke a health provider's ability to issue written certification for medical cannabis if the provider refuses the foregoing inspection, or if the medical records do not comply with the medical use of cannabis law.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychologists when patients are located in compact states other than the state where the psychologist is licensed. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the compact.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO EPINEPHRINE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, authorizes county lifeguards providing services at a county or state beach park to administer epinephrine auto-injectors to render emergency care to another person. Requires the counties to approve training providers and establish standards for the use and administration of epinephrine auto-injectors. Establishes requirements for health care providers to issue prescriptions for, and pharmacists to dispense, epinephrine auto-injectors to counties or county life guards. Establishes certain limitations of liability.

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO MASSAGE THERAPY.

Exempts individuals and establishments that offer only foot, hand, and outer ear manipulation from massage therapy licensure requirements and related advertising restrictions.

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS.

Clarifies that the definition of "profits from prostitution" includes any money or property accepted or received from the proceeds of prostitution activity even if it is accepted or received as the reimbursement or repayment of a debt. Restructures provisions that define terms or establish exemptions for part I of chapter 712, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to enhance readability. Makes technical amendments to update statutory references to part I of chapter 712, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Amends section 200-14, HRS, to clarify that enforcement of criminal water pollution offenses remains under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health, rather than the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ABOLITION OF JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY FOR GOVERNMENT ENTITIES IN HIGHWAY-RELATED CIVIL ACTIONS.

Amends sections 663-10.5 and 663-10.9, HRS, to abolish joint and several liability for government entities in claims and cases relating to the maintenance and design of highways under chapter 663, HRS, so that government entities would be liable only for the percentage share of the damages actually attributable to them.

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 PESTICIDE DRIFT MONITORING.

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

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

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 MICROPLASTICS.

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

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 HARBORS.

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

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 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