Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.

Prohibits foreign entities from owning, leasing, or holding a controlling interest in more than an unspecified number of acres of agricultural land. Limits the lease term for agricultural land by foreign entities. Requires foreign entities that own or lease interest in agricultural lands to file an annual report with the Department of Agriculture. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SERVICE ANIMALS.

Requires sellers or providers of emotional support animals, as well as those issuing verifications of a disability related need for an emotional support animal, to provide written notice to the buyer or recipient containing certain information. Requires persons or businesses that sell or provide certificates, vests, or identification tags that identify an animal as an emotional support animal to provide written notice to the buyer or recipient containing certain information. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Prohibits emerging adult defendants from being sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING.

Extends the sunset date for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna to 6/30/2028.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO DECLARATION OF WATER SHORTAGE AND EMERGENCY.

Amends the conditions, manner, and areas in which the Commission on Water Resource Management can declare and provide notice of water shortages and emergencies.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO MEAT DONATION.

Exempts the donation of wild game meat, including axis deer, by a hunter for the use or distribution by a charitable, religious, or nonprofit organization to needy persons from certain laws regarding the inspection and transportation of meat. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires insurers to notify policyholders of rate changes at least 30 days before the effective date of the rate change. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires insurers to provide advance written notice to policyholders and the Insurance Commissioner, with reasonable explanations and primary factors, of any policy cancellation, non-renewal, or proposed premium increase, if, upon renewal, premiums are scheduled to increase more than 10 per cent. Requires insurers that provide property insurance to file rate schedules and underlying criteria with the Insurance Commissioner. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct periodic reviews of insurance rates and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to establish a Public Reporting and Dispute Resolution Program to handle complaints and appeals regarding premium increases. Requires insurers to provide premium discounts or credits to policyholders that implement disaster risk mitigation measures. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC.

Beginning 7/1/2027, allows chiropractic students enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a qualified licensed chiropractor. Requires the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii System for various nursing programs. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO DANGEROUS DRUGS.

Conforms fentanyl to the possession offense thresholds for methamphetamine, heroin, morphine, and cocaine.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Establishes processes and requirements for associations to impose fines against unit owners, tenants, and guests for violations of the declaration, bylaws, or house rules. Prohibits associations from charging attorneys' fees with respect to any fines that are not deemed collectable. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

Exempts natural hair braiders from licensing requirements under certain conditions.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE REAL ESTATE COMMISSION.

Requires at least two members of the Real Estate Commission to be licensed professional engineers or architects engaged in business in the State for three years immediately preceding the appointment. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease public lands for recreational-residential use by public lottery and restrict participation in the public lottery to residents of the county in which the leased land is located. Lowers the maximum term for a lease of public lands for recreational-residential use to five years. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle with, possession, purchase, installation, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of license plate flipping devices. Establishes a $2,000 fine for each separate violation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Allows authorized insurers in the State to offer building and hurricane damage insurance for condominium buildings at a lesser rate than the building's prior surplus lines insurance policy for the same coverage. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Clarifies that the bid incentive given to bidders for public works construction projects who are parties to an apprenticeship agreement is based on apprenticeable trades utilized, rather than employed, to construct the public works. Requires the bidder and the bidder's subcontractors to be parties to all apprenticeable trades utilized to construct the project for which a state-approved apprenticeship program exists. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

AQUINO

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to use consistent units of measurement in its summary to the public on the amounts of restricted use pesticides applied. Establishes a one-half mile buffer zone for pesticides around schools during normal school hours and state and county public parks. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

Prohibits the sale of raw ahi, including ahi poke or processed ahi, in retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS.

Deletes the term "agent of the contractor" in sections 28-17 and 846-2.7, HRS. Clarifies that contractors, contractor's employees, and subcontractors who have access to federal tax information held by the Department of the Attorney General may be subject to fingerprint-based background checks. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ANTITRUST.

Prohibits the use of algorithmic price-setting in Hawaii's rental market. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop and undertake a public education program regarding the prohibition. Establishes fines and penalties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

Requires defendants convicted of causing the death or disability of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child by the operation of a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant to make restitution in the form of financial support to each child of the victim. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC.

Provides that if a law enforcement officer lawfully stops a motor vehicle and the operator is cited for driving without a valid license, the officer shall not permit the operator to resume the use of the motor vehicle. Requires the motor vehicle to be moved by a licensed driver or towed at the owner's expense. Provides that the cited operator is responsible for arranging the operator's transportation from the scene of the stop. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO HOTELS.

Requires hotelkeepers to provide adequate notice of service disruptions to third-party vendors and prospective and current guests under certain conditions. Prohibits hotelkeepers from imposing any fee, penalty, or other charge and from retaining any deposit of a guest who cancels a reservation if a service disruption is likely to exist during the period of the reservation. Requires any hotelkeeper that violates or causes another person to violate this Act to forfeit to the injured party three times the amount of the sum charged in excess of what the hotelkeeper is entitled to. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO INTEREST ON INSURANCE PROCEEDS RELATED TO A MORTGAGE LOAN.

Requires licensed mortgage servicers and financial institutions to pay interest on insurance proceeds held for the benefit of consumers. Provides that a fee shall not be charged to the borrower in connection with the maintenance or disbursement of interest earned from interest-bearing accounts. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit or any component of a landfill unit mauka of the underground injection control line without first establishing a buffer zone of not less than one-quarter mile around the landfill unit. Prohibits the utilization of fly ash, bottom ash, or a combination of fly and bottom ash from a municipal waste combustor, including any ash residue that remains after removal of metals for recycling into new metal products, for the purposes of road building, construction, or as alternative daily cover material on a landfill. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Allows an insured to authorize the insurer to electronically remit claim proceeds to the insured's mortgagee when a homeowners insurance policy that covers a mortgaged property allows for the payment of proceeds by issuing a check. Requires a mortgagee in receipt of electronic delivery of claim proceeds to deliver the proceeds of the claim to the insured in accordance with the mortgage agreement and the insurance policy. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO DUNE RESTORATION.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program for dune restoration at Hanakaoo Beach Park. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.

Requires each purchasing agency to provide justification for hiring external consultants. Caps the amount each agency can spend on external consultants. Requires each agency to seek approval from the Legislature for consulting contracts exceeding a certain dollar amount. Requires each agency to disclose new contracts with external consultants. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Compliance Audit Unit to conduct regular audits of agency consultant contracts to assess cost-effectiveness and compliance. Requires each chief procurement officer to ensure that inherent government functions are not delegated to a contractor. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD2)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.

Beginning July 1, 2025, extends the term of the Oversight Coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Clarifies that the Oversight Coordinator has the general authority to inspect agencies and correctional facilities without notice. (SD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT.

Narrows the scope of the definition of the term "development" in coastal zone management law by excluding reconstruction of certain lawfully constructed structures impacted by certain events. (SD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COSMETOLOGY LICENSURE COMPACT.

Authorizes the Governor to enter into a Cosmetology Licensure Compact on behalf of the State to provide a streamlined process that allows cosmetologists to obtain a multistate license enabling them to practice cosmetology in another state without obtaining a separate license under the laws of that state. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the Compact. Authorizes the Governor to enter into the Compact. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes certain counties to establish a rental unit price ceiling ordinance that prohibits a landlord from increasing the rental price of a dwelling unit at a rate that exceeds the percentage calculated and published by the county based on changes in the applicable Consumer Price Index. Beginning 8/1/2025, requires certain counties to annually calculate and publish the maximum rate at which a landlord may increase the rental price of a dwelling unit during the immediately succeeding twelve-month period. Establishes a nonrefundable Long-Term Residential Lease Tax Credit for taxpayers who own and lease a dwelling unit located in a county that has adopted a rental unit price ceiling ordinance to a person as the person's principal residence in the State pursuant to a lease agreement of a term of one year or longer. Allows the tax credit to be carried forward for up to three taxable years. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES.

Establishes a two-year Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse Working Group within the Hawaii State Energy Office. Requires the working group to examine how to maximize the recycling and reuse of electric vehicle batteries and recommend electric vehicle battery management practices. Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO POWER OUTAGES.

Establishes requirements for compensation to utility customers following a power outage. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO NUISANCES.

Clarifies that the Department of Health has the legal authority and obligation to prevent and address nuisances that affect environmental health or public health, or both. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENTAL EFFICIENCY.

Authorizes executive and administrative departments and agencies to enter into intergovernmental and partnership agreements with private sector entities, nonprofit organizations, and other governmental bodies. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD2)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

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 ten per cent. Requires property insurers of condominiums to publicly report premium increases each year. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits the sale of tickets at higher price than the original price charged by the primary venue ticket provider for events held in the State. Repeals provisions relating to ticket brokers. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTE-TO-ENERGY.

Authorizes the Hawaii State Energy Office to establish a publicprivate partnership to develop a waste-to-energy generating facility in each county having a population below 800,000. (SD1)

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL HARBORS.

Requires masters or persons in charge of vessels to follow an order by a harbor master to evacuate a commercial harbor in emergencies. Establishes higher penalties for noncompliance. Authorizes fines collected for violations of this requirement as moneys to be paid into the Special Harbor Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to establish a comprehensive action plan under the "Yes In My Back Yard" Working Group to establish a local housing market in Hawaii. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires all health insurance policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2025, to provide optional coverage for standard fertility preservation services for persons undergoing medically necessary cancer-related treatments that may cause iatrogenic infertility. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE IV, SECTIONS 4 AND 6, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING REAPPORTIONMENT.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to specify that reapportionment shall be based on the resident population, as counted in the decennial United States census for the respective reapportionment year, rather than the permanent resident population. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO CONTRACEPTION.

Proposes an amendment to article I of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to protect a person's right to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Authorizes state facilities to wheel electricity produced by their own facility from renewable energy sources to other state facilities pursuant to administrative rules or orders established by the Public Utilities Commission. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to submit a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat