Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE EXEMPTION FROM CIVIL SERVICE OF EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL OF THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Allows the Board of Trustees of the Employees' Retirement System, through its Executive Director, to appoint specified executive personnel positions of the Employees' Retirement System and exempts these positions from the State's civil service requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE.

Requires hospitals with emergency departments that are licensed in the State to submit syndromic surveillance data to the Department of Health. Authorizes the Department of Health to establish a state syndromic surveillance system. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INDEPENDENT AUDITS OF DEPOSIT BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTORS.

Requires deposit beverage distributors to obtain independent audits at certain frequencies based on the amount of deposit beverage containers distributed. Requires independent audits to assess specific criteria and report certain information. Requires the Department of Health to develop a web-based system to allow online submission of reports. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY RESILIENCE PILOT PROGRAM.

Establishes a two-year Family Resilience Pilot Program within the Office of Wellness and Resilience. Appropriates Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

Establishes a Language Access Education and Workforce Development Program at the University of Hawaii. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature. Implementation effective 7/1/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSERVATION.

Establishes the Hawaii Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity to protect and expand populations of endangered species and other native wildlife in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CURRENCY.

Authorizes cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents, except for cash transactions that total $0.01 or $0.02, which are to be rounded up to $0.05. Exempts transactions in which payment is made by demand or negotiable instrument, electronic fund transfer, check, gift card, money order, credit card, or other like instrument or method. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE FOOD AND PRODUCT INNOVATION NETWORK.

Requires the Food and Product Innovation Network to integrate a coordinated food safety and regulatory framework. Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to establish key performance indicators for the Food and Product Innovation Network, develop a market access strategy, align and harmonize state branding initiatives, and report certain data to the Legislature. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to evaluate or adapt enterprise zone incentives in all counties to better support the Food and Product Innovation Network. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to increase funding for certain Medicaid home- and community-based services, including residential services offered in community care foster family homes and expanded adult residential care homes. Requires the Department to obtain matching federal funds and to pursue additional funding sources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish an updated plan for maximizing Medicaid reimbursements for administrative and support services provided to students with special needs. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Appropriates supplemental funds for the Judiciary for the fiscal biennium beginning 7/1/2025 and ending 6/30/2027. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Authorizes the University of Hawaii to engage in enterprise-related activities for educational purposes exempt from certain county zoning requirements, under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enter into community co-management agreements and establishes qualifications for eligible community co-managers. Authorizes the disposition of public lands by a community co-management agreement. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

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

RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT ORDERS.

Amends the expungement orders law to reflect that a person who is arrested for or charged with a crime but convicted of a violation is eligible for an expungement of their arrest record for that incident. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HARM TO STUDENTS REGISTRY.

Clarifies the scope of the Department of Education's harm to students registry by excluding K-12 students and by providing that contractors and volunteers are included only if their roles involves interaction with students. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

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

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to approve and certify general excise tax exemptions for certain housing development projects developed under county housing incentive programs. Sunsets 7/1/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX EXPENDITURE EVALUATION.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study the effectiveness of tax expenditures and prepare summary descriptive statistics. Requires annual reports. Authorizes Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism staff to access certain information on tax returns for the purpose of studying the effectiveness of tax expenditures. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD2)

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO DISASTER SERVICES.

Integrates the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into emergency planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. Establishes a Disability Integration Specialist position, to be located in the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, who shall provide programming support for disability community projects that promote accessibility, inclusion, and equity in disaster management. Requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to develop and implement a statewide public education and communications program to promote household emergency preparedness consistent with the Agency's 14-day essential supplies recommendation. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide an American Sign Language interpreter during each official announcement broadcast via television or the Internet during a state of emergency. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that the American Sign Language interpreter's face, body, arms, and hands are visible during the broadcast. Requires the Governor or mayor of a county to provide a standardized pool feed that includes the American Sign Language interpreter in a picture‑in‑picture window not less than one quarter the size of the primary video and not blocked or covered by captions, graphics, or other on-screen tax. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE BONDS.

Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds. Makes findings required by Article VII, Section 13, of the Hawaii State Constitution to declare that the issuance of authorized bonds will not cause the debt limit to be exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

Authorizes the State to enter into nonbinding international cooperative agreements with foreign national governments, foreign subnational jurisdictions, and regional intergovernmental partners, under certain conditions. Clarifies the scope and process for sister-state relationships. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

Establishes labeling requirements for ʻōkolehao products. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO CARE HOMES.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to establish a Central Oahu Care Home Community Resilience Pilot Program to assist eligible care home facilities to implement structural and operational resilience improvements. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2055. Sunsets on 6/30/2031. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Hawaii Micro-Lending Credit Enhancement Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to expand micro-lending capacity by providing state‑funded loan loss reserves or other credit enhancement that absorbs first losses on qualified micro-loans made by participating lenders to Hawaii small businesses. Allows borrower fees and state matching contributions to capitalize lender-held loan loss reserve accounts. Establishes the Hawaii Micro-Lending Credit Enhancement Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO CHANGES TO RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONCERNING PATIENTS, THE COUNTY OF KALAWAO, AND THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT.

Authorizes the Department of Health to continue providing services statewide to Hansen's disease patients living in the community. Repeals sections of Chapter 326, HRS, to take effect upon the two‑year anniversary of the passing of the last patient resident of Kalaupapa, as affirmed in a Governor's proclamation. Requires future planning for the Kalaupapa Settlement to include community organizations, including one selected in consultation with the Molokai community. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Authorizes the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture to adopt, amend, and repeal rules to develop an assessment and approval process to import and move aquatic livestock in the State. Requires the Aquaculture Program to develop a biological aquatic risk-based framework and biocontainment standards for the aquatic livestock assessment and approval process. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE BANYAN DRIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT.

Establishes the Banyan Drive-Makaokū Community Development District and Banyan Drive-Makaokū Redevelopment Agency within the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Establishes the Banyan Drive-Makaokū Community Development District Special Fund. Specifies the powers and duties of the Authority as it relates to the new development district and amends the composition of the Authority to include representatives of the new development district. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits law enforcement officers from using any personnel or funds originating in the State to assist or facilitate conduct by federal immigration agents that is for the purposes of civil immigration enforcement or exceeds their law enforcement duty or authority. Prohibits law enforcement officers from assisting or cooperating with or allowing resources to be used to facilitate federal immigration agents engaged in operations with the purpose of civil immigration enforcement or that target individuals or entities engaged in certain activities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Specifies the conditions upon which the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation may transfer moneys from within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to a subaccount and between subaccounts of the revolving fund. Authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be used to provide any and all forms of financing. Expands the funding priorities of, and appropriates funds into and out of, the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/30 with regard to the financing and funding priorities of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications that include changing the method for computation of interest for purchasers of certain real property. Expands the use of proceeds in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to include purchasing equity in for-sale housing development projects and interim primary or secondary financing. Exempts disbursements from the Affordable Housing Revolving Fund from appropriation and allotment requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FACILITIES.

Exempts concessions within the Stadium Facility that are under the jurisdiction of the Stadium Authority from chapter 102, HRS. Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived from advertising or marketing in or on the Stadium Facility to be deposited into the Stadium Development Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE.

Updates and establishes additional statewide goals for solid waste stream and organic waste stream diversion. Requires the recycling, bioconversion, and organic waste diversion component to identify and assess methods to achieve certain organic waste stream reduction goals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO JURISDICTION.

Amends the factors the Family Court is required to consider in deciding whether the court may waive jurisdiction over a minor held for criminal proceedings. Preserves the Family Court's jurisdiction over a minor transferred for criminal proceedings for subsequent acts that would otherwise be within the Family Court's jurisdiction. Establishes a minimum age of fourteen years for a minor to be waived into another court for murder or attempted murder. Requires the Family Court to retain jurisdiction over a minor if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the minor was trafficked, sexually abused, or raped by the alleged victim in the case, either before or during the commission of the alleged offense. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVACY.

Establishes the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images or private images as a criminal offense. Amends the criteria for an extended term of imprisonment to include an offender whose act of attempting to commit or committing the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images or private images against a minor or vulnerable adult was the proximate cause of the victim's death. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to convene a Bona Fide Farmer Working Group to develop multi-tiered, matrix-based definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire by condemnation any real property or interest in real property, except public lands, under certain conditions. Prohibits any real property acquired by the Corporation by condemnation from subsequently being transferred or taken for any other public use without the Corporation's consent. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO DISPOSABLE ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale, offer for sale, or distribution for sale of any disposable electronic smoking devices in the State. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO POLITICAL FUNDRAISING BY EXECUTIVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES.

Prohibits any Executive Branch employee who is nominated or appointed by the Governor to a compensated position subject to confirmation by the Senate and who exercises authority or significant influence over the solicitation, award, or administration of state contracts, from engaging in certain campaign fundraising activities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOSPITAL LICENSING.

Permits hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES.

Clarifies that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who meet an intermediate care facility or nursing facility level of care shall not be denied residency in a certified community care foster family home solely because of their disability or enrollment in a specific Medicaid waiver program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for the purposes of the Enterprise Zone Program to include certain retail sales of tangible personal property, processing of certain value-added agricultural products, the Hawaii food and product innovation network, and the provision of certain professional services by health care professionals. For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, extends the eligibility period of the state business tax credit for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones. Beginning 1/1/2028, extends the eligibility period of the general excise tax exemption for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones. Applies to qualified businesses who join the Enterprise Zone Program on or after a specific date. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

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 CORRUPTION.

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

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

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 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