Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRANTS.

Authorizes the State and counties to temporarily rehire retired public employees to fill positions identified as unique and critical to government operations.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE THIRTY-THIRD REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the thirty-third representative district.

Sam Satoru KongDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

Exempts the tax collected on the sale of groceries that are eligible under the supplemental nutrition assistance program or special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children, regardless of the means of purchase and the program eligibility of the purchaser.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Expands on a county's experimental and demonstration housing project authority to include the development of commercial projects. Sunsets on an unspecified date. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Short form bill relating to tourism.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO POLICING.

Establishes the Hawaii Center for Policing and Criminal Justice Research within the Social Science Research Institute, College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa to house the Hawaii Crime Lab. Requires law enforcement agencies and law enforcement oversight agencies to collect and report certain data regarding law enforcement stops, uses of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab. Requires the Hawaii Crime Lab to collect and publish incident-level information and an annual report on the data collected. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to adopt rules, in coordination with the Hawaii Crime Lab, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and any community advisory boards. Appropriates funds for the establishment and operation of the Hawaii Center for Policing and Criminal Justice Research within the Social Science Research Institute, College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa to support implementation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX.

Makes permanent the amendments made by Act 163, SLH 2023, to the state earned income tax credit and refundable food/excise tax credit. Amends the income thresholds and credit amounts for the low-income household renters tax credit and refundable food/excise tax credit. Amends the state earned income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT.

Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to establish access to affordable health care as a fundamental right, subject to limitations balancing other essential public services.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Requires the Department of Education to make available all public school outdoor facilities and grounds on Saturdays and Sundays for public and community use without the need for any license, permit, or deposit of fees, under certain conditions. Requires reports to the Legislature. Repeals on 6/30/2030.

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE PROTECTION OF MINORS.

Establishes safeguards, protections, oversight, and penalties for interactions between minors and artificial intelligence companion systems or conversational artificial intelligence services. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a pilot program to develop three new public schools in areas based on demonstrated need through public-private partnerships. Amends the powers of the School Facilities Authority. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free school bus passes for students who meet certain statutory requirements. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Appropriates funds to establish a state tea agent at UH Manoa CTAHR.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MODERNIZATION.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a school modernization initiative through a capital improvement project planning database for school facilities statewide. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Tenant Protection Working Group within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address certain tenant protection issues in the State. Requires the Tenant Protection Working Group to report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires the Office of Consumer Protection to publish an accessible, multilingual notice of tenant rights online. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS.

Requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to issue a disability travel placard to an applicant who has a valid removeable windshield placard and provides proof of travel.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO FORECLOSURES.

Specifies that a judicial foreclosure sale is not final until the earliest of either fifteen days after the public sale, unless an eligible bidder submits a subsequent bid or written notice of intent to submit a subsequent bid, or forty-five days after the public sale. Requires subsequent successful bidders to make a downpayment.

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO CENTRALIZED ACCESS TO RESOURCES.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop, implement, and maintain a centralized resource website to connect residents to support and resources to address affordability, health, safety, and the impacts of climate change. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Establishes the Small Business Procurement Program and Small Business Procurement Coordinator position permanently in the State Procurement Office. Repeals the Small Business Assistance Initiative established in Act 168, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022. Appropriates funds.

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally return committed felons incarcerated in private, out-of-state correctional institutions to in-state correctional facilities. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

Makes the issuance or renewal of a civil identification card free of charge. Appropriates funds. Effective 6/30/3000. (SD1)

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a School Bus Driver Recruitment Grant Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Recruitment Special Fund. Establishes a Repayment Signing Bonus Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO OPIOID ANTAGONISTS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations that issue policies, contracts, plans, or agreements that provide prescription drug coverage to provide coverage for at least one generic opioid antagonist and device.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires quarterly rather than annual reporting of all use of restricted use pesticides. Amends the contents of reports to include specific geospatial data and information and increased detail on the amount of restricted use pesticides used. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides. Appropriates funds.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO PENALTIES.

Establishes heightened penalties for the offense of bribery under certain circumstances. Increases the penalty for official misconduct from a class C to a class A felony.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO THE MUSIC ACCESSIBILITY PILOT PROGRAM.

Establishes the Music Accessibility Pilot Program within the Hawaii State Public Library System to expand access to public concerts and musical education throughout the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE RULEMAKING.

Establishes a cost-benefit analysis requirement that defines a specific financial impact threshold for administrative rules. Requires legislative action through concurrent resolution to approve an agency’s major rule change above the threshold of one million dollars.

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

RELATING TO ELECTION REFORM.

Amends various election provisions to increase public access to in-person voting, increase public confidence in elections, and impose accountability in the election certification process. Key features include increased access to voter service centers open on election day, abolition of ranked choice voting, public access to election records, signature verification in the presence of official observers, reform of the mandatory recount process, the use of physical ballots during election audits, and subjecting the chief election officer position to election instead of appointment.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

Increases the penalties imposed on individuals convicted for violation of a temporary restraining order and order for protection. Clarifies that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine for violating a temporary restraining order or order for protection if, after conducting a financial review, the court determines the defendant is or will be unable to pay the fine. Specifies that the court may suspend certain jail sentence for violation of a temporary restraining order or order for protection upon condition that the defendant remain alcohol- and drug-free, conviction-free, and complete court-ordered assessments or intervention.

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. Effective 1/1/3000. (HD1)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY MAINTENANCE.

Requires owners or lessees of real property to maintain their property and establish penalties for failure to do so. Allows for exceptions. Requires DOA to establish rules for the enforcement and collection of fines for violations relating to the proliferation of invasive species. Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to adopt rules for the enforcement and collection of fines for violations relating to the prevention of wildfires and other public safety hazards. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Rachele LamosaoDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires sellers to provide buyers with a cesspool disclosure form before the execution of a real estate purchase contract. Establishes standards for the cesspool disclosure form by 11/1/2026. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Mike LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services to request and implement waivers or waiver extensions from the federal government to make sugary drinks and candy ineligible foods for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Requires annual reports to the legislature on waiver status, ineligible foods, and implementation impacts.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO MEDICAL EDUCATION.

Requires the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to establish a nutrition and metabolic health curriculum for medical students at the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVE.

Replaces the State's renewable portfolio standard of 100 per cent renewable energy generation by 2045 with the original mandate for 70 per cent by 12/31/2045.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION.

Establishes within the Honolulu Police Department a rapid DNA investigative lead program. Appropriates moneys.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Part I: Authorizes the construction and occupation of self-contained relocatable housing units, with certain restrictions. Part II: Specifies that a manufactured home is considered real property, requiring its transfer, conveyance, and mortgage to follow the same recording and enforcement requirements as other real property. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE.

Requires the Department of Human Services to amend the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan or request approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for an amendment under the Medicaid State Plan to include naturopathic medicine.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO THE OWNER-BUILDER EXEMPTION.

Repeals the leasing restriction on owner-builders who obtain an owner-builder exemption to act as their own contractor and who build or improve residential or farm buildings or structures on property they own or lease and do not offer the buildings or structures for sale. Requires an owner or lessee to provide signed written notice that a residential structure offered for lease or sublease was built or improved by an individual who is not a licensed contractor. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the development of transit-supportive densities to be allowed in any county-designated transit-oriented development area. Prohibits the counties from enacting an ordinance, rule, regulation, development standard, zoning provision, or other land use control that restricts the development of transit-supportive densities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO LABOR.

Short form bill relating to labor.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL CONTROL.

Establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation, including the free-roaming cat population, and authorizes an income tax designation to provide revenues into the special fund. Requires cats over five months of age to be surgically sterilized unless covered by an intact cat declaration, and conditions the importation of intact cats on state and county declaration requirements, with certain exceptions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE DECISION-MAKING.

Authorizes counties to amend district boundaries involving land areas of greater than fifteen but no more than twenty-five acres for purposes of residential housing, agricultural workforce housing, long-term rental housing, or workforce fee simple ownership. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Kamaaina Homes Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide funding to a county, to be designated by the Corporation, to purchase voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homebuyers. Sunsets 6/30/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HOUSING LOAN AND MORTGAGE PROGRAM.

Increases the Hula Mae Multifamily Revenue Bond authorization ceiling amount to continue financing affordable rental housing statewide. Clarifies that revenue bonds treated as refunding bonds do not count against the authorized aggregate principal amount of the bond. Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to submit a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO BUILDING CODES.

Part I: Fixes the applicable building codes, standards, and county amendments for the life of a building permit, subject to certain exceptions and rules. Part II: Specifies the applicability of the International Residential Code. Authorizes a county to adopt amendments to the Hawaii state building code, under certain circumstances, and repeals the counties' existing authority to amend or adopt the buildings code without council approval. Changes the adoption of the Hawaii state building code from a two-year cycle to a six-year cycle. Part III: Appropriates funds for the State Building Code Council for staffing and necessary consultant services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Disallows the home mortgage interest deduction for second homes under state income tax law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Short form bill relating to collective bargaining.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in collaboration with other state and county agencies, to study options for and coordinate the development of a shared statewide housing and infrastructure data platform to inform agency decision-making and state housing and infrastructure investments. Includes the development of a model that assesses the fiscal impacts of development and regional infrastructure investments. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat