Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL.

Requires the Department of Transportation to administer the Safe Routes to School Program. Amends the purposes for which funds of the Safe Routes to School Special Fund may be used for. Establishes deadlines for when funds from Safe Routes to School Special Fund that are allocated to the counties should be obligated or expended by. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Requires the Auditor to conduct a financial and performance audit of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, including a review of the Department's use of moneys appropriated by Act 279, SLH 2022.

Elle CochranDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY POWERS.

Places limits on emergency management powers of the governor and mayors. Establishes the Emergency Powers Oversight Committee to oversee emergency proclamations. Provides that a state of emergency or local state of emergency terminates automatically after 30 days, rather than 60 days. Limits the total duration of a state of emergency or local state of emergency to 60 days unless approved by a Concurrent Resolution of the Legislature. Requires any proclamation suspending a statute to be narrowly tailored and supported by a written justification.

Elle CochranDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Amends the duties of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to focus on marketing and branding, rather than destination management and regenerative tourism. Establishes the Tourism Liaison Officer position within the Office of the Governor. Includes destination management and regenerative tourism as responsibilities of the Tourism Liaison Officer. Appropriates funds.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

Establishes the offense of prohibited acts of female genital mutilation of a minor and civil remedies for victims of acts punishable under that offense. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAGE AND HOUR LAW.

Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a Community Wage Theft Enforcement Partnership Program and enter into contracts or memoranda of agreements with community-based organizations to enhance outreach, referral, and recovery of stolen wages. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the income eligibility limit and credit amount per exemption claimed for the income tax credit for low-income household renters. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Education to develop, adopt, and implement a standardized emergency response plan governing immigration enforcement activity at or within one thousand feet of public schools and adopt policies and procedures to address immigration enforcement activity at certain school-related location and events. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS.

Beginning 7/1/27, increases the number of required accessible and van-accessible parking spaces in parking facilities with more than twenty-five parking spaces that are covered by title II or III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, with an exception for qualifying public entities managing large parking inventories that are otherwise compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPUS SAFETY.

Requires students of the University of Hawaii, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and University policies regarding sexual misconduct prior to the completion of initial registration into the university of Hawaii system. Amends the frequency that training and programming regarding sexual misconduct is provided to university of Hawaii students and employees.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Establishes the Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator within the Office of the Governor. Provides for the authority and duties of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator. Designates participating agencies and their duties with regard to state search and rescue operations and training. Establishes the Search and Rescue Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to collaborate with contracted community-based organizations to address the need for social services in the State. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Homeowners Insurance within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Homeowners Insurance Special Fund. Appropriates funds.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTS EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Artists in the Schools Program. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CULTURAL TRUST.

Establishes the Hawaii Cultural Trust within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes an income tax credit for contributions made to both the Hawaii Cultural Trust and at least one qualified Hawaii cultural organization, under certain conditions. Establishes a special number plate for motor vehicles to support the Hawaii Cultural Trust. Applies the income tax credit to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER.

Establishes a framework that provides counties or their subdivisions priority and the right of first refusal to obtain intergovernmental agreements related to the disposition of water resources for public purposes. Establishes criteria to be applied when determining that the issuance of a state water license is in the best interest of the State.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTS INTEGRATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Establishes within the Department of Education arts integration coordinator or specialist positions to support fine arts education and arts integration in public schools statewide. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE.

Requires that priority be given to the language of a law that aligns with the intent of the Legislature if there is a difference between the English and Hawaiian versions of the law that is material to its interpretation. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Exempts county elected officials, county candidates, and county candidate committees from the prohibition on receiving contributions from a lobbyist during a state legislative session.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE III OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH LEGISLATIVE TERM LIMITS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit a person from serving as a member of the legislature for more than twenty-four years during the person's lifetime.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS.

Requires a seller of real property adjacent to the shoreline, and the seller's agent, to disclose and include in all advertisements certain information about shoreline erosion control structures on the parcel. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO UNACCOMPANIED HOMELESS YOUTH.

Entitles unaccompanied homeless youth, including runaway youth, with the rights, as provided by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987, to immediate enrollment in school, full participation in school activities, and access to comparable school and educational services provided to other students. Establishes a student-centered, safety-first protocol for unaccompanied homeless youth enrolling in or attending school. Permits unaccompanied homeless youth to provisionally enroll in school without providing immunization records. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE PARKS.

Authorizes and appropriates funds for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park. Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to exercise the power of eminent domain for the expansion of Wailuku River State Park. Effective 6/30/2864. (SD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Exempts any agricultural enterprise practicing diversified agriculture on lands formerly used for commercial sugarcane production within the conservation district from any permitting and site plan approval requirements established for lands in a conservation district. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Between 7/1/2026 and 12/31/2028, authorizes each county planning agency to petition the Land Use Commission for a district boundary amendment to reclassify certain lands within the agricultural district to the rural district through the district boundary amendment process. Repeals 12/31/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES.

Changes the allowed absence by a primary caregiver at a community care foster family home to 48 hours in calendar week with no absence longer than 24 consecutive hours.

Daisy HartsfieldDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NINETEENTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the nineteenth representative district.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE HOMES.

Lowers the minimum age required by Department of Health rules for substitute caregivers in community care foster family homes to eighteen years.

Daisy HartsfieldDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires that the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board submit three nominees for its Executive Director to the Board of Education. Requires the Board of Education to appoint an Executive Director from the nominees on the list, subject to advice and consent of the Senate.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO A MARITIME YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAY PROGRAM.

Directs the University of Hawaii Community College System, in partnership with state agencies and maritime employers, to conduct a study and develop a plan for a statewide Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Pathway Program for individuals ages 16 to 24. Requires a report to the Legislature with recommendations on program structure, resource needs, proposed legislation and implementation options. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to install pedestrian safety improvements at sites abutting school properties, with consideration for other sites. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.

Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Workforce Development Council. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO PRETRIAL REFORM.

Requires release on recognizance for defendants charged with violations, traffic offenses, nonviolent petty misdemeanors, nonviolent misdemeanors, and nonviolent class C felonies, subject to conditions. Establishes exclusions for specified offenses, threats to public safety, and certain other circumstances. Requires findings when bail or detention is imposed, ongoing review of continued detention or conditions, and a prompt hearing if bail cannot be posted. Requires prosecutors to notify victims of pretrial decisions. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EIGHTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the eighth representative district.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Establishes the Hawaii Geological Survey in the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Designates the Director of the Survey, rather than the Geophysics and Planetology Institute specialist qualified in geology, as the State Geologist.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to support certain programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY SAFETY.

Establishes comprehensive reforms to protect children and families from abuse and improve systemic responses. Part I: Establishes the calendar year 2027 as the Year of Resilience, Safety, and Survivor Justice. Part II: Modernizes statutory definitions of harm and child abuse. Part III: Recognizes coercive control as domestic abuse. Part IV: Reforms Family Court procedures to prioritize child safety and prohibit parental alienation theories. Part V: Defines economic abuse and strengthens financial protections, including automatic restraining orders, emergency hearings, forensic accounting authority, and liability for financial institutions. Part VI: Safeguards neurodivergent children and prohibits diagnosis shopping. Part VII: Protects reproductive privacy in custody proceedings. Part VIII: Enhances Child Welfare Services Branch accountability through audits and creation of a Child Welfare Ombudsman. Part IX: Requires automatic protective orders and custody restrictions in cases of severe violence. Part X: Creates a Family Violence Docket with mandatory judicial training and an advisory panel.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Requires any disposition of more than one thousand acres of public lands to governments by the Board of Land and Natural Resources to be subject to approval by a majority vote of both houses of the Legislature. Requires the government seeking the disposition of the public land to submit for introduction to the Legislature a resolution containing certain information. Requires a copy of the draft resolution to be sent to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO NET INVESTMENT INCOME TAX.

Establishes a net investment income tax.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT.

Requires hotelkeepers to supply and provide annual training on the proper use and limitations of a panic button to certain workers no later than 1/1/2027.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.

Requires the Advisory Board of Directors of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to be composed of seven, rather than twelve, members. Requires the Governor to appoint members to the Advisory Board from lists provided by certain organizations representing the tourism industry.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS.

Changes the name of entities organized under chapter 421C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from consumer cooperative associations to cooperative associations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be used to provide loans or grants to eligible individuals to purchase rental units.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO GAMBLING.

Establishes the misdemeanor offense of promoting gambling in the third degree.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands projects eligible for general fund revenues that are generated by increases in transient accommodations tax collections and intended to be expended equally across projects related to natural resources, climate resilience, and destination management. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Transfers school impact fees from the Kalihi-Ala Moana school impact district to the School Impact Fees subaccount of the School Facilities Special Fund for the acquisition and renovation of one or more buildings, or the acquisition of land and construction of a new building, in the 96813 zip code to develop and expand pre-kindergarten and charter school capacity. Provides that the funds appropriated and expended shall be used to serve students residing within the Kalihi-Ala Moana school impact district, with certain exceptions. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO ADOPTION.

Requires the Department of Human Services to place a link on its public website homepage directing users to information to assist women throughout pregnancy and provide options for adoption. Establishes an Adoption Promotion Task Force.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Short form bill relating to transportation.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FORTY-FIRST REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 41st representative district.

David Alcos IIIRepublican

RELATING TO OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING REFORM.

Establishes an occupational licensing task force to identify the ways in which state regulation of occupational licensure may be reformed to lessen the barrier of entry to fields of gainful employment while ensuring consumers remain protected. Imposes a reporting requirement. Appropriates funds.

David Alcos IIIRepublican