Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO NEPOTISM.

Repeals language in the State's Code of Ethics that exempts the legislative and judicial branches from prohibitions against nepotism in public employment. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY REVENUE BONDS.

Restores the revenue bond authorization for the Department of Transportation to issue Highway Revenue Bonds for highway capital improvement projects authorized in Act 164, SLH 2023, as amended by Act 230, SLH 2024. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTORCYCLE INSTRUCTION PERMITS.

Starting on July 1, 2026, requires all applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to successfully complete a basic motorcycle rider course approved by the Department of Transportation before becoming eligible for the permit. Designates exemptions for certain drivers on an enclosed training course. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Units (1), (2), (3), (4), (8), (9), (10), (13), and (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal year 2024-2025. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 has been exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for teacher‑requested classroom supplies; provided that the private sector contributes matching funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes a statewide underground water and carbon sequestration resource characterization program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS.

Repeals the definition of "finding of no significant impact". Defines "finding of completion of environmental disclosure process". Makes conforming amendments.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

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 REMOTE WORK ASSESSMENTS.

Requires the Comptroller, in coordination with the Department of Human Resources Development, to periodically assess telework-eligible allocations of employees of certain state executive branch departments and agencies. Requires the first assessment and notification to be completed by 6/30/2026. Establishes a position within the Department of Accounting and General Services. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2491. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Increases the caps for the total contract value for any one Capital Advancement Contract (CAC) and the total aggregate value of CACs in a fiscal year entered into by the Department of Transportation with private parties for harbor improvements. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a Slim-Hole Resource Characterization Program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reduces the general excise tax rate imposed on nonprescription drugs by one half. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for businesses to: offer, display, or advertise the price of live-ticket events or short-term lodging without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; and misrepresent any fees or charges in any offer, display, or advertisement for the sale of live-event tickets or short-term lodging. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

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 for housing infrastructure costs. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an income tax credit for the purchase of electric garbage trucks by qualified taxpayers. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO UNCREWED AIRCRAFT OFFENSES.

Increases the penalty for using an uncrewed aircraft in the furtherance of the commission of a felony.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC UTILITIES.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to consider whether approving a proposed merger or acquisition would or would not further the State's renewable energy goals. Prohibits the acquiring entity of an electric utility company from terminating or attempting to renegotiate any existing and valid power purchase agreements and requires the acquiring entity to assume and be bound by existing collective bargaining agreements and retain all covered employees. Establishes a process to ensure that when an electric utility is subject to an application for a proposed acquisition, merger, or consolidation by a potential acquiring entity that is an investor-owned utility and seeks approval of the application from the Public Utilities Commission, the electric utility shall demonstrate that it solicited bids from potential acquiring entities that operate under a non-investor-owned utility ownership model. Requires the electric utility to submit acceptable bids from a potential acquiring entity operating under a non-investor-owned utility ownership model concurrently with an application by a potential acquiring entity that is an investor-owned utility and the Public Utilities Commission to review those applications concurrently. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies the definition of "qualified nonprofit housing trust" to specify organizations that exclusively serve qualified residents as defined in section 201H-32, HRS.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Beginning 6/1/2026, establishes presidential preference primary elections for the 2028 election cycle. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO VESSELS.

Requires the Department of Transportation to work with relevant stakeholders to conduct a study of noise regulations and best practices as they apply to other ports in similar locations. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HURRICANE RESISTANT CRITERIA.

Requires the State to consider hurricane resistant criteria when designing and constructing new state buildings, constructed on or after 7/1/2025, for the capability of providing shelter refuge.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL TUITION.

Requires graduates of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine who have paid in-state tuition to serve as a physician in the State for at least 2 years following their medical residency or fellowship. Begins with the class of 2029. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING.

Establishes the Department of Housing. Places the Hawaii Community Development Authority, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and Hawaii Public Housing Authority within the Department of Housing for administrative purposes. Replaces the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism with the Director of Housing on the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL.

Requires commercial airlines operating intrastate flights in the State to utilize at least ten per cent sustainable aviation fuel in intrastate airline flights beginning 1/1/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY INDUSTRY INFORMATION REPORTING.

Adds the promotion of emergency management and critical infrastructure protection as relevant purposes of the Energy Data Collection Program. Adds the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security to the list of agencies that may examine the energy industry information statements submitted pursuant to section 486J-3, HRS. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GREEN BONDS.

Establishes a Green Bonds Working Group within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Effective 07/01/3000. (HD1)

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Appropriates funds for the rat lungworm lab at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to support services contracted with community-based organizations that deliver essential services, streamline judicial processes, and support the judiciary's capacity to effectively meet the needs of vulnerable households. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL NUMBER PLATES.

Authorizes the issuance of special number plates to recognize the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE HOLIDAYS.

Designates the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice of each year as the Lunar New Year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

Appropriates funds for the Executive Office on Early Learning to contract with third-party providers of family-child interaction learning programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PROCEDURE FOR PAYMENT UNDER PROTEST LAWSUITS.

Allows for the interest earned on payments under protest in the litigated claims fund to be paid in nontaxation cases if the claimant prevails. Establishes a procedure for the disposition of moneys and refiling of actions when a payment under protest suit is filed prematurely. (SD1)

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD ABUSE.

Amends the definition of "child abuse or neglect" to clarify that the failure to provide certain needs to a child shall not constitute child abuse or neglect if the sole reason the person responsible for the care of the child is unable to adequately provide for the child's care is lack of financial resources; and evidence of parental request for support shall not be deemed as evidence of child abuse and neglect. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO EARLY CHILD CARE.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and implement a Child Care Provider Subsidy and Bonus Program to provide subsidies to retain the existing child care workforce in licensed infant and toddler child care centers, group child care centers, and group child care homes and bonuses to registered family child care homes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE.

Increases the fines for violating motor vehicle insurance requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Restricts motor vehicles that tow a motor vehicle or trailer from the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes going in the same direction with exemptions. Specifies penalties for restricted motor vehicles who drive in the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes moving in the same direction. Applies restrictions and penalties to a county with a population of 500,000 or more. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLE SAFETY.

Creates additional fines for any individual found operating a vehicle or moped without a current certificate of inspection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

Requires police officers to send a carbon copy of a citation to the registered owner of a vehicle within five business days after the citation is issued. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO PHARMACY.

Establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts. Establishes the pharmacist workforce assessment fee. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY RIGHTS.

Establishes a procedure for immediately removing an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises with assistance from law enforcement. Provides that an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises is civilly liable for unpaid utility bills. Provides that a person who trespasses in or upon a dwelling or premises and intentionally or knowingly damages property in an amount exceeding $999 commits a felony of criminal property damage in the second degree. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop, publish, and make available a complaint form to remove unlawful occupants of residential dwellings. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAGE AND HOUR LAW.

Amends the definition of "employee" in Hawaii's wage and hour law by excluding individuals who are primarily engaged in the range production of livestock. Effective July 1, 3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO MOPED INSURANCE.

Requires that moped operators carry an insurance policy by incorporating mopeds into the insurance laws governing motorcycles and motor scooters, including with respect to provisions concerning required licensure, the relationship with tort law, proof of insurance card, penalties, rate regulation, and minimum coverage levels. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO SQUATTING.

Establishes a working group within the Department of the Attorney General to study the issue of squatting in Hawaii and provide recommendations. Requires reports to the legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL TOURISM.

Establishes statewide, uniform standards to promote agricultural tourism activities in the State for all counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance. Requires agricultural tourism activities to be registered by the county planning department. Requires agricultural tourism activities to coexist with an agricultural activity on a farming operation and requires termination of the agricultural tourism activities upon cessation of the agricultural activity, except under certain circumstances. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CULTURAL AND TECHNICAL INTERCHANGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST, INC.

Designates the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc., as the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc. Exempts general fund appropriations to the State of Hawaii Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc from the requirements of chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat