Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies the Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program by: including the renting or subleasing by the owner of a residential condominium unit to any tenant or sublessee of any kind as a form of owner occupation; requiring at least sixty per cent of the residential condominium units within urban redevelopment sites to be set aside for owner-occupied residential use for at least ten years from the date of initial purchase; exempting the design, development, and construction of contracts for residential condominium units within an urban redevelopment site from procurement requirements; allowing an individual to own other real property and still qualify for the program; and allowing the sale of up to forty per cent of residential condominium units to qualified residents if there are units available after being advertised for sale for more than sixty days. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Specifies the conditions upon which the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation may transfer moneys from within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to a subaccount and between subaccounts of the revolving fund. Authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be used to provide any and all forms of financing. Expands the funding priorities of, and appropriates funds into and out of, the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS.

Clarifies that a county employee's code compliance review of plans for construction applicable to the specific engineering field is considered lawful experience in engineering work for purposes of professional engineering licensure.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE WORKERS.

Short form bill relating to state workers.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes that manufactured homes are a permitted use by right on residentially zoned lots within the urban district. Limits the use of residential building design elements to deny or discourage otherwise code-compliant manufactured homes. Prohibits homeowners' associations and similar private governing bodies from enforcing covenants that actively or effectively prohibit otherwise lawful manufactured housing. Prohibits counties from requiring manufactured homes that comply with federal manufactured housing standards to also comply with the Hawaii State Building Code or a county building code. 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. (HD1)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO STUDENT HEALTH.

Authorizes a school to maintain a stock supply of over-the-counter oral antihistamines to be administered under certain conditions. Authorizes school personnel to administer the over-the-counter oral antihistamine medication, under certain conditions.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Establishes a process by which any political party continuously listed on the general election ballot for two consecutive general election cycles shall be deemed continuously qualified for ballot placement. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

Makes both the representative of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii and the representative of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii permanent standing members of the State Building Code Council, instead of members who alternate terms every four years. Adds one representative of the Plumbers and Fitters United Association, Local 675, and one representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1186, as members of the State Building Code Council. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Provides the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation with autonomy in personnel matters. Increases the salary cap for the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Renames the Executive Assistant of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation the Deputy Executive Director. Prohibits the extension of any employment contract of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and Hawaii Public Housing Authority beyond two years without legislative approval. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO LABOR.

Short form bill relating to labor.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Upgrades the penalties for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while highly intoxicated, including outlining additional requirements for probation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Authorizes rodeos and rodeo activities on various lands that are zoned for agricultural or pastoral use. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO CHILD CUSTODY.

Allows licensed mental health counselors to be appointed as child custody evaluators. (SD2)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, face‑to‑face practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the compact. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO LABOR.

Short form bill relating to labor.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older.

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Includes housing projects for individuals with disabilities and individuals with access and functional needs as eligible projects to apply for expedited permits. Requires reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee LoyDemocrat

RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.

Establishes and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program under the Department of Human Services to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2027 and 2028.

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires health insurance carriers to honor a patient's written assignment of benefits to a substance use disorder treatment provider. Prohibits health insurance contracts from including anti-assignment clauses that restrict or invalidate a patient's right to assign benefits. Authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules and take enforcement action to ensure compliance. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to publish an annual summary. Allows providers to bring civil actions to compel payment and obtain injunctive relief, damages, interest, and attorneys' fees for violations. Deems violations to be unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Requires insurers to furnish an explanation of benefits to the assigned provider upon request.

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Short form bill relating to tourism.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL.

Expands the provisions of the Renewable Fuels Production Tax Credit. Clarifies that the Renewable Fuels Production Tax Credit shall only be claimed by taxpayers for which qualified renewable fuels production costs are incurred within the State and sold for distribution within the State. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

Requires natural hair braiders to be registered, rather than licensed, under the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. By 11/1/2026, requires the Board to adopt rules prescribing the approved courses or programs on sanitation, health, and safety. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes supporting documents used to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle to an insurance company after payment of damages from the result of a total loss insurance settlement to be signed electronically. Requires insurance companies to indemnify and hold harmless the Director of Finance for any claims resulting from the issuance of motor vehicle titles utilizing documents signed electronically without a notary. Effective 7/1/2027. (SD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

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 beginning after December 31, 2026, and sunsets on December 31, 2035. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO MINORS.

Expands the statewide curfew to apply to minors under 18 years of age, instead of under 16. Amends the exceptions to, and penalties for, violations of the statewide curfew. Restricts a county's authority to enact curfew ordinances to only those ordinances that are more stringent than the statewide curfew.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO MOPEDS.

Increases the minimum age for moped operators from fifteen to sixteen years. Increases the minimum age requirement for individuals prohibited from operating a moped unless they wear a safety helmet from eighteen to twenty-one years. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Part I: Extends the Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target to 2075 and establishes an interim target of seventy per cent for 2050. Part II: Maintains the existing Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target but exempts the Department of Transportation and transportation systems and services from the target.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURE.

Short form bill relating to culture.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURE.

Short form bill relating to culture.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ARTS.

Short form bill relating to the arts.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ARTS.

Short form bill relating to the arts.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLE TRANSFERS.

Requires each county Director of Finance to notify all applicable state and local agencies upon receipt of official notification of a vehicle transfer from a transferor. Requires each county Director of Finance to establish a centralized notification system to applicable agencies for every vehicle transfer by 7/1/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies an association board's authority with respect to calling and authorizing electronic meetings, electronic voting at electronic meetings, electronic voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Clarifies that proxies are only to be used for any voting conducted at a meeting. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Establishes a paid family leave program for state and county employees. Authorizes a qualifying employee to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or placement of a child or to care for a family member who has a serious health condition. Requires the employee to agree to subsequently work for the employer for at least 12 weeks upon return to service except under certain conditions.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE ETHICS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

Establishes the Office of Legislative Ethics and Accountability as an independent, nonpartisan entity to receive and investigate complaints alleging ethical violations or misconduct by current members or current employees of the state legislature. Appropriates moneys.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Establishes an Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force to develop guidelines and recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence in state public education. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT.

Extends child care subsidies to disabled parents or guardians, regardless of their employment status. Requires the Department of Human Services to evaluate caregiver capacity and dependent-care responsibilities when determining eligibility for medicaid home- and community-based services. Requires the Department of Human Services to update its evaluation form and functional assessment protocols related to level of care and at-risk needs determinations. Appropriates funds.

Matthias KuschDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Allows a licensed dental hygienist to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings under the general supervision of licensed dentist. 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO LANDFILL UNITS.

Repeals the prohibition on the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit, or any component of a landfill unit, inland of an underground injection control line in a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, repeals the fourteen years and under age limit for health insurance coverage requirements for the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Repeals the maximum coverage benefit limit of $25,000 for applied behavioral analysis services.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO LUNG CANCER SCREENING.

Requires the Department of Health to develop by 12/31/2026, standardized educational materials relating to lung cancer screening and language on lung cancer screening information to be included in signage and written notices to be used by retailers of tobacco products. Beginning 1/1/2027, requires retailers engaged in the retail sale of tobacco products to display signage on lung cancer screening at each point of sale and provide written notice on lung cancer screening to each buyer of a tobacco product.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO HAZARD PAY.

Authorizes differentials in pay for state and county employees who are exposed temporarily to unusually hazard working conditions, under certain conditions.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Prohibits, for sales or offers for sale of new motor vehicles, markups in excess of five per cent of the manufacturer's suggested retail price, markups in excess of $0 when specified in a proclamation declaring a state of emergency, and charges added to rates not based on the underwriting risk or credit characteristics of the consumer when dealers directly finance motor vehicle purchases. Requires dealers to retain records for markups for a period of no less than three years.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Requires the Department of Human Services to allow a full earned income disregard for individuals with disabilities who are between the ages of sixteen and sixty-four years when determining eligibility for Medicaid. Takes effect upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE.

Requires the Department of the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the Legislature pertaining to the offense of terroristic threatening in the first degree. Expands the definition of "terroristic threatening" to include any form of written or electronic communication. Includes additional protected classes that designate the offense of terroristic threatening in the first degree as a class B felony. Amends the offense of obstructing government operations to include obstructing the performance of a governmental function by an educational worker acting in an official capacity. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO ALLOWANCE ON SERVICE RETIREMENTS.

Includes certain law enforcement administrators and employees of the Department of Law Enforcement as class A members of the pension and retirement systems and provides guidance for the computation of retirement benefits similar to police officers.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO COUNTY LABOR STANDARDS.

Authorizes the counties to require contractors to disclose information regarding their employees' wages, benefits, hours, and employment status and deny, revoke, or suspend a building permit application for violating laws relating to wages, benefits, hours, and employment status, under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEFENSE OF STATE EMPLOYEES.

Requires the State to defend professionally licensed or certified state employees from civil actions or proceedings, under certain circumstances. Clarifies that the employee may employ their own attorney at the employee's own expense. Establishes a process for the Attorney General to transfer or withdraw representation if the Attorney General declines to defend the employee. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve any disciplinary action, unless the collective bargaining agreement specifically provides otherwise. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat