Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS.

Establishes patient rights with respect to timely access to specialists and referrals and prior authorization determination timelines. Establishes certain requirements for health carriers for prior authorization determinations. Establishes certain requirements for the use of automated decision support tools for claims determinations and utilization review. Requires health carriers to establish certain safeguards for protected health information. Establishes certain reporting requirements for network adequacy. Establishes certain provider protections. Expands the Insurance Commissioner's enforcement authority.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION.

Requires the State Building Code Council to provide greater flexibility for the use of alternative materials, designs, or methods of construction within the specifications of the Hawaii state building codes. Authorizes procurement debriefing and award protests for awards that do not account for the alternatives.

Elle CochranDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Authorizes an increase in the volume of manufactured alcoholic beverages permissible under a small craft producer pub license. Increases the amount of alcohol manufactured on small craft producer pub licensees' premises that may be sold in recyclable containers.

Terez AmatoDemocrat

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

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

Terez AmatoDemocrat

RELATING TO PHYSICIAN CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION.

Requires nutrition and metabolic education as part of the physician continuing medical education requirements.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE LICENSURE WAIVERS.

Authorizes the waiver of certain healthcare worker licensure requirements during emergencies. Requires an annual report to the legislature.

Elle CochranDemocrat

RELATING TO RECORDINGS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.

Establishes the right of a person to record law enforcement activities. Establishes a private right of action for any violation of the right to record law enforcement activities.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Requires the Chief Data Officer to enhance the State's open data portal website through the phased development and publishing of an artificial intelligence chatbot and necessary data visualizations on statewide shared data sets to assist the public in navigating the open data portal website and finding information about statewide services across state departments and agencies. Requires the Chief Data Officer to develop a system to evaluate and select for procurement artificial intelligence governance tools for use by state departments and agencies and establish a mechanism for reporting and publication of artificial intelligence use cases and artificial intelligence vendors used by the departments and agencies. Appropriates funds.

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Appropriates moneys to sponsor a Michelin Guide for restaurants statewide.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO ABUSE OF FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.

Maintains the petty misdemeanor offense of abuse of family or household member by repealing the sunset of amendments made to sections 709-906 and 853-4, HRS, by Act 19, SLH 2020. Repeals provisions authorizing a deferred acceptance of a guilty plea for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of family or household members offenses.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Department of Education to give reasonable consideration to making all or portions of the facilities of a public school available to housing development for certain employees of the Department when closing the public school. Requires the Department of Education to identify unused public school facilities that may be appropriate for employee housing and inventory suitable grounds available upon public school closure for potential development of employee housing.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

Establishes the offense of prohibited acts related to female genital mutilation of a minor. Authorizes a victim of female genital mutilation to bring a civil action for damages under certain conditions. Amends the statutory definitions of "child abuse or neglect" and "harm" to include prohibited acts related to female genital mutilation of a minor.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Amends the fee exemption period for individuals possessing a disabled paid parking exemption permit from the first 2.5 hours or the maximum amount of time the meter allows, whichever is longer, to the first 4.5 hours.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

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.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires the automatic payment of 100% of the personal property or contents coverage limit stated in an insurance policy in the event of a total loss of a dwelling caused by certain perils that occurred pursuant to a state of emergency. Prohibits an insurer from requiring the submission of an itemized inventory of damaged or destroyed personal property. Requires notice to policyholders of the right to an automatic payment.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Requires the Department of Transportation to complete and publish a traffic engineering study before installing specified traffic safety devices or changing posted speed limits on state highways. Establishes a publicly accessible dashboard for requests, studies, decisions, and public comments. Requires annual reporting to the Legislature.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO TRADE-ORIENTED PRODUCTION CAPACITY GRANT PROGRAM.

Establishes the Trade-Oriented Production Capacity Grant Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to support one-time capital investments that expand the State's manufacturing and production capacity for trade. Provides grants for equipment, automation, and facility improvements that directly increase output, efficiency, and competitiveness for eligible businesses, with required private-sector matching funds. Prioritizes traded-sector businesses with interstate or international market potential to help generate measurable near-term trade and economic returns. Appropriates funds.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Amends repeat offender sentencing provisions to allow sentencing courts, under certain circumstances, to sentence defendants in class C felony cases to probation with appropriate terms and conditions.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HEALTHCARE EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.

Requires a participant in the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program to remain and work in the State for a certain number of years based on the amount of financial assistance received.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Provides that any corporation operating under state law shall hold all the corporate powers it previously held; provided that nothing in state law shall be construed to grant or recognize any corporate power to engage in election activity.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a Clean Transportation Alternatives Incentive Program that returns funds to eligible residents of the State who meet a certain income threshold or use a certain amount of gasoline as fuel for transportation.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR.

Requires an advertisement for liquor or alcohol to include a cancer-risk warning. Establishes guidelines for cancer-risk warnings included in advertisements for liquor or alcohol. Establishes penalties for an advertiser that fails to include a compliant cancer-risk warning in an advertisement for liquor or alcohol. Effective 1/1/2027.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a program and income tax credit to incentivize the conversion of commercial properties into residential properties. Appropriates moneys.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

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.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PORTABLE PLUG-IN SOLAR GENERATION DEVICES.

Prohibits binding agreements preventing the installation of a portable plug-in solar generation device on any residential dwelling, subject to certain requirements.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVACY.

Establishes the offense of nonconsensual distribution of an intimate image.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

Allows the Department of Human Services to administer and provide public assistance to eligible residents of the State during a Governor-declared state of emergency. Allows the Department of Human Services to expend funds from the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO WAREHOUSE WORKERS.

Establishes the Warehouse Worker Protection Act. Requires certain warehouse employers to provide written descriptions of quotas to employees and maintain records of quotas and employee work speed data. Protects employees from quotas that would prevent compliance with meal or rest periods or the use of bathroom facilities. Allows employees to request a written description of their quota and employee work speed data. Requires the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the Act.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS.

Transfers the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Water Carrier Act from the Public Utilities Commission to the Department of Transportation. Makes conforming amendments. Appropriates funds.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER.

Provides that, in the event of a vacancy in the position of Chief Election Officer, the Attorney General shall serve as the Interim Chief Election Officer until the Elections Commission appoints a new Chief Election Officer.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO GAMING.

Beginning 8/1/2027, authorizes gaming on cruise ships while a cruise ship is traveling within any state waters or for specified times while docked at a state harbor. Imposes a twenty per cent wagering tax on the adjusted gross receipts derived from gaming on cruise ships. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to report to the Legislature.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A WATER FLUORIDATION WORKING GROUP.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Repeals certain prohibitions on the imposition of fees, conditions, or requirements on community retail pharmacies that are not imposed on mail order pharmacies.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSING OF ELECTRONIC LITERARY MATERIAL.

Establishes limits and restrictions on licensing contracts between libraries and publishers for electronic literary materials and provides options for remedy. Suspends enforcement until at least one other state enacts a similar law.

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION EQUITY.

Requires the Department of Education to permit the participation of eligible homeschooled students in public high school extracurricular activities, subject to certain requirements and limitations.

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires home schooled students to participate in certain annual in person tests at the public school that the student would otherwise be required to attend.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits digital navigation applications from providing an alert, indication, or other type of notice to users of the presence of law enforcement personnel or a law enforcement operation at any specific location.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Allows a retirant employed as an investigator identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or Department of the Attorney General as a labor shortage or difficult-to-fill position to be rehired without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without a loss or interruption of retirement benefits, subject to certain conditions. Requires annual reports to the Legislature to include details on the employment of retirants as investigators.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO SPORTS OFFICIALS.

Authorizes the Attorney General to represent sports officials in civil proceedings if the sports official has been assaulted or threatened in the course of legally discharging their sports official duties. Makes intentional bodily injury of a sports official engaged in the lawful discharge of the sports official's duties a class B felony. Clarifies that a sports official includes a school or league administrator. Clarifies that a sports official's duties cover sports events at public schools and private schools.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Prohibits homeowners insurance policies from limiting or denying payment of replacement costs, extended replacement costs, or building code upgrade costs for a dwelling solely because the insured elects to rebuild the dwelling at a different location or purchase an already-constructed home at a different location. Allows for the combination of dwelling and other structures coverage limits to fund the rebuilding or replacement of the primary residence under certain conditions. Requires notice to policyholders.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO COMBUSTION-FREE ENERGY SOLUTIONS.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to commission a study of various energy sectors relating to cost-effective methods for decarbonization. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel distribution in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides $1 per gallon, increasing by 2 cents per additional 1 per cent emissions reduction, up to $2 per gallon. Caps total credits at $20,000,000 annually, with carryover provisions. Requires reporting to ensure transparency and compliance. Applies to taxable years after December 31, 2025, and sunsets on December 31, 2035.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE DECISION-MAKING.

Provides the authority for counties to amend district boundaries up to 25 acres for purposes of residential housing, agricultural workforce housing, long-term rental, or workforce fee simple ownership.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an income tax credit for medically related travel expenses not covered by insurance. Sunsets 1/1/2031.

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO DESTINATION MANAGEMENT.

Transfers functions relating to the preparation and implementation of destination management action plans from the Hawaii Tourism Authority to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates moneys to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop and implement destination management action plans. Appropriates moneys to the Department of Education's Workforce Development Branch for various destination management-related workforce development activities.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes a Zero-Emissions Rideshare Rebate Program to be administered by the Department of Transportation. Establishes a rideshare fee. Establishes the Zero-Emissions Rideshare Subaccount within the Highway Development Special Fund.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE.

Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO STAFFING STANDARDS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

Requires each hospital to establish a Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Committee by 9/1/2026. Requires the Staffing Committee to adopt and file a Staffing Committee Charter with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations by 1/1/2027. Requires the Department to develop a Hospital Registered Nurse Staffing Plan Form by 1/1/2027. Requires each Staffing Committee to adopt and file a Staffing Plan, including minimum registered nurse staffing standards, with the Department by 7/1/2027, and annually thereafter. Requires hospitals to implement their Staffing Plan by 7/1/2027, and post the Staffing Plan and staffing schedules in publicly accessible areas. Requires Staffing Committees to receive, review, evaluate, and respond to reports and complaints regarding deviations from the Staffing Plan. Establishes a variance process allowing hospitals to temporarily deviate from their minimum registered nurse staffing standards. Establishes an enforcement framework to be administered by the Department, including review of Staffing Plans, complaint investigations, administrative appeals, and civil penalties for violations. Prohibits retaliation against certain persons who report staffing concerns or participate in enforcement proceedings. Increases the membership of the Center for Nursing Advisory Board to include three elected officers or governing board members of a labor organization representing registered nurses in the State. Requires the Center for Nursing to develop and maintain an online dashboard of staffing standards recommended by certain professional specialty organizations. Requires the Department to adopt rules. Appropriates funds.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO PERSONAL INFORMATION.

Requires every government agency that maintains, uses, collects or processes the home address of a covered public servant or candidate, to ensure that their home address is not publicly accessible. Requires every government agency to redact or otherwise remove home addresses from certain websites, databases, and printed documents or publications. Authorizes an individual to request disclosure of the home address, under certain circumstances. Allows a covered public servant or candidate to object to the disclosure of their home address.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND VARIETY OF PLAYGROUND FEATURES OF PLAYGROUNDS AT ALL CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU PARKS.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat