Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

Allows public employers and exclusive representatives of bargaining units to negotiate certain retirement benefits. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

Requires the Attorney General to establish a confidential process for persons to anonymously file complaints against public employees. Requires the Attorney General to review and forward the complaints to the department, board, commission, or agency deemed appropriate by the Attorney General. Requires the departments, boards, commissions, and agencies to process the complaint pursuant to their standard complaint‑processing procedures and report the disposition to the Attorney General. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE.

Prohibits claims for refunds, reimbursements, or other payments, authorization for which is sought from the Legislature that exceed the time limitations of section 40-68, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from being claimed. Requires the Attorney General to include in the Attorney General's annual report of claims recommended for approval a total dollar amount of possible judgments against the State that have not yet settled. Requires the Attorney General's report to the Legislature describing the claims against the State to include additional information. Requires the Attorney General to submit a report every five years to the Legislature containing further incidents that occurred in an agency that led to a claim.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to contract with a third-party consultant to develop a Climate Protection Plan for delivery to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2029. Establishes a Climate Protection Advisory Committee to assist the third-party consultant. Appropriates funds.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

Exempts agricultural infrastructure and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure from regulations covering retention ponds. Defines agricultural infrastructure and low-risk green stormwater infrastructure. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII LABOR RELATIONS BOARD.

Authorizes the Hawaii Labor Relations Board to enforce its own orders. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Requires the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to notify an injured employee or their dependents of benefits to which they may be entitled. Specifies notification requirements. Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to provide information regarding nonstatutory programs and benefits offered to injured employees and their families by nonprofit organizations.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Authorizes health care providers to dispense nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and nonlegend drugs for workers' compensation patients, under certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Subjects hosts of digital financial asset transaction kiosks to civil penalties for acts of fraud committed through the use of the digital financial asset transaction kiosk located on the host's premises. Applies to contracts to host digital financial asset transaction kiosks that are entered into on or after the effective date of this Act. Beginning 7/1/2027, applies to contracts to host digital financial asset transaction kiosks that are in effect as of the day before the effective date of this Act.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENTAL DISCRIMINATION.

Allows the court to award attorneys' fees to a prevailing party in an action relating to discriminatory practices in a rental transaction based on source of income.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Prohibits the lease or rental of a high-speed electric device. Prohibits the sale or offer for sale of a high-speed electric device, under certain conditions. Prohibits the operation of a high-speed electric device in certain situations. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO NOTARIES PUBLIC.

Requires the Bureau of Conveyances to void any recorded instrument that was fraudulently notarized when attested to by the purported notary public. Requires the Bureau of Conveyance to allow title holders to suspend additional recordings on their title, unless given prior authorization by the title holder, subject to certain limitations.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO INDEBTEDNESS TO THE STATE.

Requires disbursing officers to notify employees within sixty days of making a determination that an indebtedness has occurred to the government resulting from salary or wage overpayment. Amends the amount that a disbursing officer may deduct from an employee's salary, wage, or compensation based on the employee's gross income. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.

Requires financial institutions to establish policies for identifying financial exploitation and the training of employees. Establishes procedures for reporting suspected financial exploitation. Requires financial institutions to delay transactions, and allows freezes on assets, when there is suspected financial exploitation. Provides immunity from liability for financial institutions for any action, determination, omission, or practice related to this Act.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO SHOPPING CARTS.

Requires every business establishment that provides a shopping cart to mark each cart with identifying information. Authorizes a county to impound and dispose of a shopping cart and assess impound fees, storage fees, and disposal fees under certain circumstances. Authorizes the counties to establish policies for managing and impounding shopping carts that have been vandalized or no longer display an owner's identifying mark. Requires the counties to establish a buyback program for impounded shopping carts. Authorizes the counties to return a shopping cart, in lieu of impoundment, to the business establishment, subject to certain fines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES.

Requires the State or a county to reimburse an officer or employee within thirty calendar days after submitting an approved Statement of Completed Travel for work-related travel costs that the officer or employee loaned to the State or county. Requires the State or a county to pay a percentage of interest on the total amount owed to an officer or employee until the loan is fully reimbursed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Short form bill relating to economic development.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO YOUTH PENALTIES.

Prohibits the assessment of any fees, fines, or court costs against a person who was adjudicated for an offense committed during the person's minority, or against the person's parent or guardian, and discharges all related debt obligations assessed before the effective date of the Act. Encourages the use of community service and other programs that employ aina-based principles. Repeals certain penalties imposed on parents, guardians, or other persons associated with unaccompanied children in streets and unmarried minors in dance halls. (SD1)

David A. TarnasDemocrat

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.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST BANA PACIFIC INC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Bana Pacific Inc. in constructing a biogas production facility.

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO LEGALIZE THE ADULT USE OF CANNABIS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize individuals aged twenty-one and older to use and possess a personal-use amount of cannabis. Requires the Legislature to enact laws governing the use, manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, regulation, and taxation of cannabis within the State.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health Incentive Program within the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Excludes from the definition of "development", as it applies to special management areas, the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of an electric vehicle charging system. Includes the Public Utilities Commission in the development and implementation of plans to meet the long-term goals for zero-emissions transportation in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Renames the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax, also known as the barrel tax, as the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security Tax; gradually increases barrel tax rates; and allocates portions of barrel tax revenues to the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund, Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund, Airport Revenue Fund, and Boating Special Fund. Establishes a refundable Carbon Cashback Tax Credit and appropriates funds to the Department of Taxation to administer the tax credit. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund to be used in the administration of the barrel tax and Carbon Cashback Tax Credit and for public awareness of the Carbon Cashback Tax Credit. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation Revolving Fund for the purpose of financing the State's matching contributions required by federal grants. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Appropriates funds for the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity specialist and marketing and branding specialist positions. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes a business competitiveness goal for the State to be nationally ranked in the top thirty states for business climate by 2050, with interim goals. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit annual progress reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a yearly reduction in the general excise tax rate on groceries and nonprescription drugs on a tiered schedule until 1/1/2034, when a full general excise tax exemption applies. Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the counties from imposing a county surcharge on groceries and nonprescription drugs. Beginning 1/1/2028, provides a general excise tax exemption on the wholesale sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM.

Requires only selected redemption centers to send monthly or semi-annual distribution reports and supporting records to the Deposit Beverage Container Program. Repeals the requirement that all deposit beverage distributors develop and submit an internal control process to the Deposit Beverage Container Program and obtain independent audits for years ending in an odd number.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FACILITIES.

Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility and Convention Center Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived from advertising or marketing in or on the Stadium Facility or Convention Center Facility to be deposited into the appropriate special fund of the facility. Authorizes the display of the name of any entity that leased the naming rights to a stadium operated by the Stadium Authority on the exterior of the stadium. Exempts concessions within the stadium facility and convention center from chapter 102, HRS.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

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 and their excluded counterparts to grieve a suspension or discharge. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC PROCUREMENT.

Permanently establishes the Small Business Procurement Program and Small Business Procurement Coordinator position within the State Procurement Office. Requires purchasing agencies to apply a local preference to Hawaii businesses in evaluating contracts awarded by competitive sealed bidding or competitive sealed proposals. Establishes criteria for a Hawaii business to qualify for a local preference. Establishes procedures for contract awardees who fail to meet or maintain the preference criteria. Establishes a special fund and requires the Small Business Procurement Coordinator to establish rules and policies, effective 1/1/2029, requiring small businesses to commit to contributing 0.2 per cent of state contract awards to the special fund. Repeals the Small Business Assistance Initiative established in Act 168, SLH 2022. Appropriates funds for the Small Business Procurement Coordinator. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST FENIX SPACE, INC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds for the planning, design, procurement, and construction of the Fenix launch platform system and Fenix Space Hilo flight operations facility. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Transfers powers, duties, personnel, personal property, and materials of the Aquaculture and Livestock Support Services Branch and Agricultural Development Division of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Appropriates funds to establish one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) grant specialist position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PARK LEASES.

Repeals the requirement for land covered by an agricultural park lease with a remaining term of fifteen years or less to be located in a county having a population of less than five hundred thousand in order for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend the lease. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND.

Allows impasses and disputes relating to the amounts of State and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to be resolved by arbitration. Repeals the prohibition against strikes by members of bargaining units on the issue of the amounts of State and county contributions to the Trust Fund.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Short form bill relating to tourism.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CLIMATE INSTITUTE.

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives of the University and the State. Requires a percentage of the revenue generated by any increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax rates beginning on January 1, 2026, and by assessment of the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares to be allocated to the University of Hawaii annually to support the programs and operations of the Hawaii Climate Institute. Transfers the International Pacific Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology to the Hawaii Climate Institute. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

Requires the State, Legislature, and counties to amend rules and policies to ensure that certain employees can transfer accrued vacation and sick leaves if rehired by the State or a county within one calendar year of separation. Extends the allowable break in service for purposes of determining certain state and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund from ninety calendar days to one full year.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Requires, for any affordable rental housing development project that receives financing or any financial assistance from the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, that the Corporation require the housing development lease or occupancy agreement to allow residents to own or otherwise maintain one or more common household pets. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL IMPORTATION.

Requires, as a condition of entry into the State, documentation verifying that any dog or cat imported into the State has been surgically sterilized, subject to certain exemptions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish a breeder registry and adopt rules.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.

Establishes the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to collaborate with the Executive Office on Aging to implement the program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO VACATION RENTALS.

Part I: Allows counties to use time-stamped screenshots as evidence for the enforcement of transient accommodations. Requires the Hawaii Tourism Authority's plans, practices, and efforts involving destination management to include promotion of use of traditional or lawful transient accommodations. Clarifies that the counties may use revenue from the County Transient Accommodations Tax for the enforcement of transient accommodations. Appropriates funds. Part II: Requires hosting platforms that earn service fees for providing booking services for transient accommodations to register with the Department of Taxation as tax collection agents and report, collect, and remit general excise and transient accommodations taxes on behalf of operators. Part II effective 1/1/2027. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Short form bill relating to the state budget.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS.

Short form bill relating to non-general funds.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes the Noise Detection Camera Program in the Department of Transportation for the installation of noise detection cameras for the enforcement of noise control laws. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FINANCES.

Short form bill relating to state finances.

Chris ToddDemocrat