Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO MARITIME DAY.

Designates May 22 of each year as Maritime Day. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO TAXES.

Excludes the sale of a motor vehicle to a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle as a sale at wholesale. Imposes the maximum allowable excise tax on the use of tangible personal property in the State for the importation or purchase of a motor vehicle by a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle. Establishes a Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund to pay a temporary hazard pay bonus to certain eligible teachers. Beginning 7/1/2026 until 7/1/2030, deposits the additional tax revenue generated by this Act into the Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 7/1/2030. (HD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Prohibits the use of fireworks in the presence of a minor under the age of sixteen unless the person has a valid permit and complies with safety requirements.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE BOATING FACILITIES.

Establishes the State Boating Facility Management Lease Program within the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease management of the entire Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Repeals provisions relating to the leasing of certain fast and submerged lands of Ala Wai Boat Harbor. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO LIBRARIES.

Requires the State Librarian to establish an Imagination Library of Hawaii Program to provide one free book each month to children from birth through five years of age who reside in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Authorizes the counties to close public lands when necessary to protect public health, ensure public safety, or preserve natural or cultural resources.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF ALL PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE AND HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS AND BEACHES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate and healthy native ecosystems and beaches, shall be protected and shall not be infringed.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a State Noxious Weed Coordinator position and updates the process for designating and managing noxious weeds. Allows public proposals to add, amend, or remove noxious weed designations. Requires notice and public reporting. Clarifies the authority of the Department and Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Authorizes updates to the noxious weed list to be adopted by order and classifies noxious weeds into three categories. Strengthens enforcement and penalties. Updates departmental duties for noxious weed control and eradication. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits merchants from imposing credit card processing fees or convenience fees, under certain conditions. Ensures that payment processing costs are reasonable and transparent. Prohibits merchants from imposing surcharges on debit card transactions. Effective 1/1/2027.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO FARM.

Amends the definition of "farming operation" by including customary and traditional subsistence farming conducted by native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and excluding concentrated animal feeding operations and business entities with unclear or non-transparent ownership or beneficiary structures. Establishes additional criteria for farming operations to meet in order to be protected against nuisance claims. Clarifies the purpose and intent of the Hawaii Right to Farm Act.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING.

Repeals the Deposit Beverage Container Program and replaces it with the Recycling Refund Producer Responsibility Organization Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE PLANNING ACT.

Establishes green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects in the Hawaii State Planning Act to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. Adds a definition of "green infrastructure". Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to submit a report to the Legislature making recommendations for implementing green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO RED HILL.

Appropriates funds for studies on remediation of substances released from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility; environmental monitoring and testing; research on groundwater modeling and sampling; and independent testing and verification of water data, to be published on a public dashboard. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to seek reimbursement from the United States Department of Defense. Effective 11/20/2121. (SD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL HOUSING UTILITIES.

Requires county boards of water supply to publicly disclose through their website service connection availability for residential permitting and construction. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Pro-Housing Score Program to evaluate each county's performance in expanding housing opportunities and reducing regulatory barriers. Requires the counties to publish their respective pro-housing scores online and HHFDC to publish certain related information and data on a public dashboard. Establishes criteria for deeming a county noncompliant. Establishes builder's remedies for certain housing projects in transit-oriented development areas. Specifies that if a county is deemed noncompliant, the planning director or an equivalent county officer responsible for land use approvals are responsible for approving or denying certain affordable housing development applications. Establishes procedures for certain transit-oriented development housing project appeals. Appropriates funds.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO RECYCLING.

Establishes a mattress stewardship working group within the Department of Health to develop a program to ensure the collection, reuse, and recycling of mattresses, box springs, and mattress foundations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Allows an existing cesspool that lawfully serves a single dwelling or dwelling unit in a priority level 3 area to continue serving that dwelling or dwelling unit and additional bedrooms constructed on the same parcel and within the existing dwelling or dwelling unit, subject to certain conditions. Authorizes the Department of Health to adopt rules and restrict additional bedrooms where evidence demonstrates that continued cesspool use impacts water quality or human health. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

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.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

Beginning 7/1/2027, prohibits counties from imposing minimum parking mandates for certain developments and limits the minimum parking requirements that may be imposed for other developments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC LAND TRUST WORKING GROUP.

Appropriates moneys to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to facilitate the hiring of necessary staff and the purchase of equipment and professional services on behalf of the public land trust working group.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Imposes conveyance tax on the transfer of a controlling interest of an entity with an interest in real property. Stipulates that the imposition of the conveyance tax on transfers of entity ownership shall not apply to any transfer of interest or acquisition between entities wholly owned by the same common ownership that results in no change in the beneficial ownership. Imposes the conveyance tax on certain transfers of real property at the lowest tax rate. Imposes liability on the transferee in the event that the transferor of the controlling interest does not pay the tax due. Effective 1/1/3028. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII REGARDING THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC TRUST LANDS.

Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Hawaii prohibiting live-fire training exercises on public trust lands.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO INJURIOUS MATERIALS.

Prohibits placing, dropping, or leaving destructive or injurious materials on highways, lanes, roads, streets, and alleys. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

Establishes within the Office of Veterans' Services a mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center. Provides that the mental health coordinator is appointed by and reports directly to the Director of the Office of Veterans' Services. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO PENALTIES.

Establishes enhanced terms of imprisonment for burglary and theft offenses, which shall apply when the value of the property exceeds certain dollar amounts. Increase penalties for habitual property crime offenders. Establishes the selling of stolen property as a theft offense.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO BRIBERY.

Adds to the offense of bribery the offering or accepting of any pecuniary benefit because of any action previously taken by a public servant in the person's official capacity.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO TIME LIMITATIONS ON CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS.

Provides that for any offense based on misconduct by a public servant, the appliable period of limitations for a criminal prosecution shall not commence until discovery of the offense by law enforcement.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Hawaii Department of Transportation to identify any roadways other than Makakilo Drive that may be used as emergency egress routes in Makakilo. Requires the Department to plan for, design, and construct an emergency egress route in Makakilo under certain circumstances. Appropriates moneys.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FARM TO SCHOOL PROCUREMENT.

Requires the Department of Education to establish rules for the procurement of goods and services related to the administration of food programs at public schools that incorporate a geographic preference for unprocessed locally grown and locally raised food products.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE BUDGET.

Requires the Governor to submit a recommended budget for deferred repair and maintenance and capital improvements on existing state-owned buildings and infrastructure.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO MARITIME DAY.

Designates May 22 of each year as Maritime Day.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the City and County of Honolulu to transfer to the State the City and County of Honolulu's authority to construct a Makakilo Drive extension. Appropriates moneys.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO THE MAKAKILO DRIVE EXTENSION PROJECT.

Transfers land from the City and County of Honolulu to the Department of Transportation to complete the Makakilo Drive Extension project. Establishes the Makakilo Drive Extension Task Force to coordinate the project. Authorizes use of the Hawaii green infrastructure special fund to support sustainable design elements of the project. Appropriates funds.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO WATER CARRIER RATE REGULATION.

Establishes the Hawaii Water Carrier Rates Board to review, evaluate, and set rates, fees, and charges for water carriers under chapter 271G, HRS. Transfers water carrier rate setting functions, powers, duties, records, personnel and cases from the Public Utilities Commission to the Hawaii Water Carrier Rates Board. Establishes the Hawaii Water Carrier Rates Board special fund. Requires annual reports to legislature and a sunset review in the last year. Sunsets 6/30/2032.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO THE HAWAII SPACE COMMISSION.

Establishes the Hawaii Space Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to promote innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace. Appropriates moneys.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO SPACE OPERATIONS.

Establishes within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism the Hawaii Orbital Sustainability and Space Traffic Board and orbital tracking and traffic management system. Establishes registration and compliance standards for aerospace activities in state airspace. Authorizes the awarding of research, education, and workforce development grants. Requires compliance with the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act and historic preservation requirements, and Native Hawaiian cultural consultation. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Authorizes liquor sold through a Class 10 license to be consumed on or off premises, under certain conditions.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO DECENTRALIZATION OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FARM TO SCHOOL.

Provides that complex area superintendents have the authority to implement the farm to school and farm to school meals programs. Requires certain school cafeteria supervisors to report directly to complex area superintendents. Establishes school cafeteria supervisor positions. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a compensation review of school cafeteria supervisor positions. Appropriates funds.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score, except the summary of scores, to a non-selected offeror until after any protest is resolved and the contract is executed.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Replaces the Hawaii Tourism Authority with the Corporation for the Stewardship of Hawaii Tourism, a nonprofit entity to guide Hawaii's visitor economy in collaboration with public, private, nonprofit, and community stakeholders in achieving beneficial outcomes from tourism based on the principles of destination stewardship and regenerative tourism.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Includes the disruption or interference with the administration or functions of any school, school administration office, or school board in the offense of harassment. Elevates the penalty for harassment to a misdemeanor when the recipient is an educational worker.

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Requires the exclusive representative for bargaining unit (5) to appoint to the Board of Education a nonvoting public school teacher representative. Authorizes the nonvoting public school teacher representative to participate in all Board of Education meetings and enter into executive sessions, except in certain matters related to collective bargaining negotiations or personnel matters that may pose a conflict of interest. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL TOURISM.

Requires the counties to adopt ordinances setting forth procedures and requirements for the review and permitting of agricultural tourism uses and activities as secondary uses, in addition to accessory uses, on a working farm or farming operation. Requires the counties' ordinances to include requirements that: the principal agricultural use on a working farm or farming operation preexists the issuance of any land use permit or building permit for any accessory and secondary use and agricultural tourism be allowed only on land on which productive agricultural use is occurring. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS.

Creates a School Psychologists Working Group within the Department of Education to recommend actionable steps or propose legislation for an immediate pathway to licensure for school psychologists that can be acted upon in 2027. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LITERACY EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide Artificial Intelligence Literacy Curricula Plan for students in eleventh and twelfth grades, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year as a condition for graduation. Establishes the Advisory Council for Artificial Intelligence Education. Establishes a three-year Artificial Intelligence Education Grant Pilot Program within the Department of Education. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.

Establishes provisions limiting state and federal collaboration for purposes of immigration enforcement operations. Establishes identification and facial coverings standards for state and federal law enforcement officers. Establishes criminal offenses for improper facial coverings and lack of visible identification and unauthorized civil immigration arrest or detention. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.

Prohibits a state agency from entering into any contract to procure or dispose of goods or services, or for construction, with any business that is owned or operated, or in which a controlling interest is held, by a relative or household member of a director or deputy director of a principal state department.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate intersections for the installation of leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, and other safety improvements, as necessary, at state-owned or operated pedestrian signal heads. Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the counties, to develop a program that allows pedestrians and community members to request the installation of accessible pedestrian signals at specific intersections. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Exempts motorcycles and passenger cars from safety inspections. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Beginning 1/1/2030, prohibits the use or application of a pesticide containing 1,3-dichloropropene as an active ingredient, such as Telone. Effective 7/1/3001. (HD3)

Sean QuinlanDemocrat