Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to issue supplemental contracts to community-based organizations to address increases in costs related to labor, insurance, utilities, rent, and gas. For any multi-year contracts entered into or renewed beginning in fiscal year 2027-2028, requires the Department of Human Services to issue a Request for Information to determine whether any existing contract remains fiscally sound and thereafter determine, with the consent of the contractor, whether a new request for proposals should be issued. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Establishes the Hawaii Benefits Hub Working Group to develop a plan for the governance and implementation of the Hawaii Benefits Hub and related referral, tracking, compliance, and coordination systems. Requires reports to the Legislature. Establishes a position within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Prohibits the use of consumer fireworks except, by permit, for cultural use. Repeals portions of section 132D-3(1), HRS, that generally allow the use of consumer fireworks without a permit on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July. Specifies that no fireworks shall be sold to a permittee holding a permit issued for purposes of cultural use more than 5 calendar days before the applicable cultural use. Makes technical amendments to definitions of "consumer fireworks" and "cultural" within fireworks law.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO NEPOTISM.

Subjects legislative and judicial employees to the same ethical standards prohibiting nepotism that are applicable to other state employees.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Repeals on 6/30/2026 the provision prohibiting counties from requiring the installation or retrofitting of automatic fire sprinklers or automatic fire sprinkler systems in certain new or existing detached residential one- and two-family dwelling units and non-residential agricultural and aquacultural buildings and structures.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES.

Expands the scope of persons who are required to file financial disclosures to include certain gubernatorial nominees subject to Senate confirmation. Makes technical amendments relating to legislators.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO REVOLVING DOOR RESTRICTIONS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

Prohibits new state employees from taking official action on matters they worked on before state employment. Prohibits former permanent employees of the Office of the Governor and Office of the Lieutenant Governor from representing persons or businesses for a period of 12 months after termination from state employment.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STREAM MAINTENANCE.

Requires the counties to remove and dispose of personal property as part of the maintenance of channels, streambeds, streambanks, and drainageways. Clarifies that personal property stored in or near a channel, streambed, streambank, or drainageways for a continuous period of more than twenty-four hours shall be deemed abandoned property which may be disposed of by the State or county. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO RENT STABILIZATION.

Establishes a statewide 3% annual limit on rent increases under chapter 521, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Prohibits rent increases during the first 12 months of a tenancy and requires notice and certification for exempt properties.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES.

Expands the scope of persons who are subject to public financial disclosure requirements. Effective 7/1/2027. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO POLITICAL FUNDRAISING BY EXECUTIVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES.

Prohibits any Executive Branch employee with procurement authority who is nominated or appointed by the Governor to a compensated position subject to confirmation by the Senate from engaging in certain campaign fundraising activities. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Clarifies and expands the types of proposed projects for privately-owned residential properties that are subject to historic review. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM COLLECTION.

Prohibits the harvest of aquatic life for commercial aquarium purposes, regardless of the method of collection, in counties with a population greater than 500,000 and the consideration of rules for the issuance of permits for the harvest of aquatic life for commercial aquarium purposes. Repeals upon promulgation of certain rules by the Department of Land and Natural Resources for counties with a population greater than 500,000. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LAND USE COMMISSION.

Amends the composition of the Land Use Commission to permit more than one member who has substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian land usage and knowledge of cultural land practices and require at least one member who has substantial experience in water resource management. Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to submit a list of nominees to the Governor for the appointment of a commission member having substantial experience or expertise in traditional Hawaiian land usage and knowledge of cultural land practices. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE BOATING FACILITIES.

Establishes a State Boating Facility Lease Program within the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to be administered by DOBOR. Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural to lease Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor for private development, management, maintenance, and operation. Repeals provisions relating to the leasing of fast lands and submerged lands of Ala Wai Boat Harbor. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Repeals the State Boating Facility Lease Program on 6/30/2045.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO PROHIBIT DESTRUCTIVE LIVE-FIRE MILITARY TRAINING ON PUBLIC LANDS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit destructive live-fire military training on State public trust lands.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to include in its plan of operation insurance coverage for commercial properties twice denied by private insurers.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Enacts, and authorizes the Governor to enter into, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PETITIONS TO TEMPORARILY RESTRAIN AND ENJOIN HARASSMENT OF AN EMPLOYEE.

Establishes a two-year pilot project to authorize public employers to petition for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against employment-related harassment of certain public employees. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANTS.

Elevates the offense of harassment as a misdemeanor when committed against certain public servants in connection with their performance of a governmental function. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Hawaii State Fellows Program within the Department of Human Resources Development to match talented applicants with full-time, paid fellowship roles in various state agencies for a period of ten to eleven months. Establishes minimum qualifications and procedures for eligible applicants to apply to the program. Gives preference to eligible program applicants who have pre-existing ties to the State or a demonstrated commitment to long-term leadership in the State. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development, in consultation with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, to coordinate with state agencies to implement and promote the program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO ELDER CRIME VICTIMS.

Removes state of mind requirement pertaining to a victim's age for felony assaults aggravated by the victim's age.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Amends the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO BRIBERY.

Establishes heightened penalties for the offense of bribery under certain circumstances.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Appropriates grant-in-aid moneys to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu for the Victim Witness Assistance Program.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Amends the offense of promoting a controlled substance in, on, or near schools, school vehicles, public parks, or public housing projects or complexes to include homeless facilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRANTS.

Authorizes the rehiring of retirants for positions that are unique and critical to operations. Limits the duration of each retirant's reemployment to 4 years.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

Establishes when unannounced visits and inspections may be conducted. Repeals a category for dispenser licenses in which employees sit with patrons. Clarifies the investigator's and police officer's authority to enter a liquor premises if they are denied admittance.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSING.

Requires that state and county firefighters exempt from commercial driver licensure be subject to an alcohol and substance abuse policy for employees that is equivalent to, or exceeds the provisions of, the safety and health standards established by the United States Department of Transportation for holders of commercial driver's licenses.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Reestablishes the cesspool upgrade, conversion, or connection income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

Establishes appropriate sanctions for the offense of assault against a law enforcement officer in the first degree.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Establishes a gradient penalty structure for the offense of hindering prosecution in the first degree, based on the level of offense hindered.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Authorizes each county that has established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015 to extend the surcharge until 12/31/2045 at the same rates if the county does so before 1/1/2028. Provides that no county surcharge on state tax authorized for a county that has not established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015, shall be levied before 1/1/2019 or after 12/31/2045. Repeals certain conditions on the use of surcharges received from the State for counties having a population equal to or less than 500,000 that adopt a county surcharge on state tax.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Establishes a class C felony penalty for the unlawful possession, control, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition in violation of a valid judicial protective order or restraining order.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY.

Exempts, under certain circumstances, parties alleging domestic abuse from participating in mediation during paternity or divorce proceedings.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Establishes the Homeless Services Special Fund. Allows counties to apply for matching funds from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund for certain housing projects. Increases the conveyance tax rates for certain properties. Establishes conveyance tax rates for multifamily residential properties. Establishes new exemptions to the conveyance tax. Allocates collected conveyance taxes to the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund, Homeless Services Special Fund, and Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Amends allocations to the Land Conservation Fund and Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Adds new preferences for state and county employees to the eligibility criteria for housing development programs administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Clarifies the Corporation's authority to adopt rules and determine the order of applicant preferences.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SEX-SPECIFIC STUDENT ATHLETIC TEAMS.

Creates the requirement of school sports to designate sex-specific teams for the purpose of gender equality.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Enacts, and authorizes the Governor to enter into, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Repeals language prohibiting county legislative bodies from imposing stricter conditions or other requirements on certain housing projects of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

Repeals law that provides that all local ordinances or regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices are preempted and that existing local laws and regulations conflicting with the state law on smoking are null and void. Clarifies that counties retain the authority to adopt ordinances that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices, as long as the ordinances do not conflict with and are more stringent than the state law on smoking.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Repeals the sunset provision in Act 45, SLH 2024, related to the counties' authorization to develop, construct, finance, refinance, or otherwise provide mixed-use developments.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO OPIOID USE DISORDER TREATMENT.

Authorizes licensed paramedics to administer buprenorphine after administration of an opioid antagonist in cases of opioid overdoses, under certain conditions. Requires the Department of Health to implement a phased pilot program in at least 1 county with verified linkage-to-care capacity and authorizes expansion of the program statewide as additional treatment resources become available. Requires a report to the Legislature evaluating program outcomes.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

Appropriates general funds into and out of the water pollution control revolving fund to provide additional low-interest loans for eligible projects.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Provides a temporary income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a cesspool to a septic system or an aerobic treatment unit system or connecting to a sewer system. Permits the Department of Health, as a pilot program, to certify no more than two residential large capacity cesspools. Applies to taxable years after 12/31/2027. Sunsets 12/31/2032.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Amends the deadlines for the upgrade or conversion of cesspools to Director of Health-approved wastewater system or connection of cesspools to a sewerage system. Requires priority 1 cesspools to be upgraded, converted, or connected by 12/31/2050, and phases the deadlines for lower priority cesspools in later years. Requires the Director of Health, in consultation with the counties, to determine the prioritization level of all cesspools in the State.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to support the State's Gun Buyback Program, including at least two gun buyback events in each county. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

Appropriates funds to the Judiciary for the efficient processing of temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct public awareness campaigns on gun violence protective orders. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES.

Exempts emergency medical services personnel from commercial driver's license requirements. Expands the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" under the State Traffic Code to replace ambulances with emergency medical services vehicles, and include disaster response and recovery vehicles, Department of Health-approved vehicles, and vehicles designated as emergency vehicles by the State or an emergency management agency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat