Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to establish a five-year Community Land Trust Equity Pilot Program to provide community land trusts with a line of credit to fund the acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, or construction of housing for certain households. Requires reports to the Legislature regarding the pilot program. Appropriates funds from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for establishment of the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot program on 6/30/2030. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Kamaaina Homes Program to provide funding to the counties to purchase voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or homebuyers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Accessory Dwelling Unit Financing and Deed Restriction Program to allocate funds to the counties for the purchase of equity in an accessory dwelling unit by the State. Specifies eligible homeowners or homebuyers for the Program to finance construction costs, development costs, and non-reoccurring closing costs associated with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit and purchase deed restrictions on the property. Appropriates moneys for infrastructure projects. Sunsets 1/1/2031. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HOUSEHOLD AND DEPENDENT CARE SERVICES TAX CREDIT.

Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. Extends the sunset date of the temporary increase in maximum employment-related expenses that are used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit, established by Act 163, SLH 2023, to 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/3005. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

By 1/1/2028, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2029, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students enrolled in department schools. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reenacts the agricultural development and food security special fund. Establishes and appropriates moneys into the carbon emissions tax and dividend special fund. Establishes a refundable tax credit to mitigate the effect of a carbon emissions tax on taxpayers. Amends the environmental response, energy, and food security tax by taxing fossil fuels based on their emissions. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT.

Establishes within the Department of Agriculture the Hawaii Agricultural Transportation Assistance Program, to consist of a reimbursement program and grant program, to assist certain farmers and livestock producers with transportation costs for agricultural products, inputs, supplies, and production and distribution of agricultural commodities. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Renames the Electric Bicycle and Electric Moped Rebate Program to the Electric Mobility Device Rebate Program. Expands eligibility and amends the maximum rebate amount. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD.

Authorizes the payment of allowances for TRICARE, TRICARE Dental Program, and vision coverage to all officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel of the Hawaii National Guard ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO YOUTH AND ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires the State's youth and adult correctional facilities to provide free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated persons in state correctional facilities. Prohibits any state agency from deriving revenue or financial benefit from the provision of communication services to persons confined in state correctional facilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish service quality standards and rules for the free voice communication services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

Establishes safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY.

Increases the criminal penalties for the offenses of cruelty to animals in the first and second degree that involve pet animals. Increases the criminal penalty for a second or subsequent offense of causing injury or death to a service animal or law enforcement animal. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO PET ANIMALS.

Prohibits landlords from charging additional monthly fees for the keeping of a pet animal, except in certain circumstances. Prohibits landlords from charging more than one-third of one month's rent as an additional pet animal security deposit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys to the Executive Office on Aging. The tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM.

Establishes a state income tax deduction for contributions made to Hawaii 529 accounts through the college savings program and accounts made through the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program. Conforms to the amendments of the Internal Revenue Code that authorize 529 benefits to be used for K-12 educational expenses. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Imposes insurance coverage as a prerequisite for the operation of electric bicycles in a county with a population of five hundred thousand or more. Establishes a regulatory framework for electric bicycle insurance. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jenna TakenouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO VITAL STATISTICS.

Authorizes the Department of Health to issue commemorative certificates of stillbirth. Establishes fees for the issuance of commemorative certificates of stillbirth, to be deposited into the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO ANIMAL FUR PRODUCTS.

Prohibits the sale, offer, possession with intent to sell, display, distribution, or trade of fur products in the State, with certain exceptions. Establishes civil penalties for violations. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD1)

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF EDUCATIONAL WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Education and public charter schools to take certain steps to report incidents of harassment and implement procedures for handling harassment of educational workers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires and appropriates funds to pay salary differentials to English language educators as an incentive to attract and retain these educators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes a nationally certified school psychologist incentive program. Appropriates funds for the incentive program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a program to award high school diplomas to persons who did not receive a diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services and persons whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Justin H. WoodsonDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE PROGRAM.

Establishes short-term management initiatives for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Appropriates funds for activities and positions related to coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation control. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME.

Requires the Department of Human Services to automatically enroll, or authorize the Social Security Administration to automatically enroll, in the State's Medicaid program any individual in the State who receives federal Supplemental Security Income benefits. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO SMALL BOAT HARBORS.

Revises provisions relating to state small boat harbors fees and permits. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Limits the required payment of certain unpaid motor vehicle taxes and fees and accompanying financial penalties to those incurred during the most recent five consecutive years of delinquency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO DISABLED VETERANS.

Exempts disabled veterans from the State's vehicle weight tax and repeals the exemption for disabled veterans from the State's annual vehicle registration fee. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Makes contributions by the candidate's immediate family subject to contribution limits. Amends the loan amount that a candidate or candidate committee may receive from the candidate's immediate family. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts food and groceries from certain healthcare-related goods or services that were not the general excise tax. Expands general excise tax exemptions to include purchased under the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER CHAPTER 201H, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

Exempts transfers of Hawaiian Home Lands from transfer restrictions for real property under housing development programs of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Authorizes a tax credit for businesses that pay the public transportation costs of employees. Requires reports to the Legislature. Applies for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025 but not beginning after 12/31/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO HOTELS.

Requires hotelkeepers to provide adequate notice of service disruptions to guests and third-party vendors under certain conditions. Allows for recovery of damages by injured consumers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX REVENUES.

Beginning on 1/1/2026, increases transient accommodations tax rates by 1 percentage point. Deposits the increased revenues into the Hawaiian Home General Loan Fund established under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.

Amends the transient accommodations tax rate beginning on 1/1/2027. Beginning 1/1/2027, requires collection of a monthly tax of $20 per passenger per port entry or any commercial passenger vessel at any port facility under the jurisdiction of the department of taxation. Establishes a Transient Accommodation Tax Enforcement Working Group. Requires the transfer of all agricultural leases under the jurisdiction of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture. Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for certain environmental stewardship projects. Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Tourism Authority for its operating budget request. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies that dwelling units eligible under the Rent-to-Own Program shall be units that are for sale in fee simple or leasehold on state or county land under a lease with an initial term of no less than ninety-nine years. Increases the time the sale price under the program must remain fixed from five years to ten years. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

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 VEHICLE TITLES.

Clarifies that proof that a transferor has filed required notice forms serves as a complete defense to any action brought against the transferor for an act or omission, civil or criminal, arising out of the use, operation, or abandonment of the vehicle by another person. Requires, by July 1, 2026, the courts to create new forms permitting transferors to respond to actions arising out of the use, operation, or abandonment of transferred vehicles. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM.

Expands the Hawaii promise program to provide scholarships for the unmet needs of qualified students at any four-year university of Hawaii campus who meet certain criteria. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle with, possession, purchase, installation, sale, offer for sale, or distribution of license plate flipping devices. Establishes a minimum fine of $250 and a maximum fine of $2,000 for each separate violation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ANIMALS.

Establishes the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation and the reproduction of free-roaming cats. Establishes various revenue and fundraising sources for the special fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for biomarker testing. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.

Requires employers to authorize and permit employees a 10-minute paid rest period for every four hours worked. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings for certain persons. Requires coverage for all colorectal cancer screenings in the State to be consistent with the Affordable Care Act Implementation Frequently Asked Questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO SMALL BUSINESS LOANS.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the contracting of services for start-up business financing and support. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUTING.

Requires the Director of Human Resources Development, in consultation with the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawaii State Energy Office, and Department of Accounting and General Services, to develop and implement a comprehensive Commuting Choice Benefit Program for all state employees regardless of mode of transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires, for tenancies greater than 90 days, a landlord to notify a tenant of any intent to raise the rent for any subsequent rental agreement or any intent to terminate a rental agreement 60 days before the expiration of the original rental agreement. Requires 90 day's notice for a landlord or tenant to terminate tenancies of three years or more and 60 days' notice to terminate tenancies of less than three years, with certain exceptions. Increases the amount of notice required to terminate tenancies that are less than month-to-month. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat

RELATING TO EVICTIONS.

Prohibits landlords from terminating certain tenancies without cause. Establishes criteria under which landlords can undertake a no-fault eviction. Requires landlords, when proceeding with a no-fault eviction, to offer relocation assistance to the tenant or waiver of the final month's rent. Effective 1/1/3000. (HD1)

Tina Nakada GrandinettiDemocrat