Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT.

Excludes from the definition of "development" used for purposes of coastal zone management the reconstruction of certain structures that were damaged or destroyed in a disaster proclaimed to be a state of emergency or local state of emergency, under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Grants the Public Utilities Commission the ability to authorize preferential rates for the purchase of renewable energy from facilities that meet certain prevailing wage requirements. Requires public utilities to forward certain requests for preferential rates to the PUC for approval. Appropriates funds. Effective 07/01/3000. (HD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE LANDLORD TENANT CODE.

Authorizes a landlord to petition a district court for a temporary restraining order, permanent restraining order, or injunction to compel a tenant's compliance with section 521-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to establish a cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator training program for public school students in grades six through twelve as part of existing health or physical education curriculum. Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the establishment of a cardiac emergency response plan in all public elementary, middle, intermediate, and high schools in the State.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS.

Short form bill relating to intergovernmental relations.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish and implement a five-year Interisland Transportation Fee Reimbursement Pilot Program, to be funded by revenues received from the rental motor vehicle surcharge. Extends the increase of the rental motor vehicle surcharge by $0.50 each year from 12/31/2027 to 12/31/2031. Appropriates funds.

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat

RELATING TO DEPARTMENTAL DATA SHARING.

Adds the Department of Taxation to the list of state agencies sharing data through the statewide longitudinal data system. Allows the Department of Taxation to provide the University of Hawaii and other state agencies certain wage data. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Provides that a condominium board's or its officer's or member's failure to maintain the minimum required balance for a condominium's replacement reserves fund may constitute a violation of the fiduciary duty owed. Establishes a minimum balance for a condominium association's replacement reserves fund, with an exception for sufficient assessments. Effective 9/1/2025.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY REVENUE BONDS.

Restores the revenue bond authorization for the Department of Transportation to issue Highway Revenue Bonds for highway capital improvement projects authorized in Act 164, SLH 2023, as amended by Act 230, SLH 2024. Takes effect 1/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Makes an emergency appropriation out of the State Highway Fund to provide funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the Department of Transportation to enforce the Motor Carrier Law. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds out of the State Highway Fund for deposit into the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund and appropriates funds out of the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund for fiscal year 2026-2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS.

Authorizes the counties to sell or dispose of property bordering the ocean when the Department of Transportation requests the acquisition of the property for state highway purposes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX HAVEN ABUSE.

Requires corporations to include the income of all foreign subsidiaries to the State. Applies the State's apportionment formula to determine the share of reported profits subject to the appropriate tax. Effective 1/1/2026.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PUPIL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY.

Amends sections 286-102 and 286-181, HRS, to allow exemptions to include use of motorcoaches, small buses, and vans, which may not meet school bus regulations for school bus services, but which shall otherwise meet vehicle requirements and qualifications set forth in chapter 19-143, Hawaii Administrative Rules, to the extent required by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Education, when adult staff chaperone escorts of students are provided while students are being transported between designated locations off-campus and designated locations on-campus.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, (1) repeals the maximum tax rate that may be considered in determining the amount of income tax that must be withheld and the requirement that a standard deduction allowance be treated as if it was denominated as a withholding exemption, and (2) for the purpose of income tax withholding, permits the Director of Taxation to prescribe a standard deduction allowance in an amount more or less than one whole exemption.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX COLLECTIONS.

Suspends the statute of limitations on collections of income tax, general excise tax, transient accommodations tax, use tax, fuel tax, conveyance tax, and rental motor vehicle, tour vehicle, and car-sharing vehicle surcharge tax during the period an assessment is pending on appeal before the taxation board of review or tax appeal court. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL ADVANCEMENT CONTRACTS.

Amends section 266-19.5(d), HRS, for the purpose of increasing the cap for the contract value of any one capital advancement contract (CAC) and the cap for the total aggregate value of CACs in a fiscal year entered into by the Department of Transportation with private parties for harbor improvements. Adds reporting requirements for the department.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CENTRAL SERVICES ASSESSMENT.

Amends the transfer of funds for central service expenses from the State Highway Fund, Airport Revenue Fund, and Harbor Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

Repeals the general excise tax exemption for amounts received by independent sugar cane farmers. Repeals the general excise tax exemption for amounts received by contractors of the Patient-Centered Community Care program that is established by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs pursuant to title 38 United States Code section 8153. Effective 1/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE.

Requires defendants convicted of causing the death or disability of a parent or legal guardian of a minor child by the operation of a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant to make restitution in the form of financial support to each child of the victim.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX APPEALS.

Clarifies that a notice of appeal relating to an appeal of a county tax is not required to be served on the Director of Taxation.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM.

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to employ non-civil service professional and technical staff in its State Historic Preservation Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Clarifies that nonresidents who claim the state refundable earned income tax credit are required to adjust the amount claimed using the ratio of their Hawaii adjusted gross income to federal adjusted gross income. Eliminates the unlimited carryforward on nonrefundable earned income tax credits claimed for tax year 2022. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO A STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Reestablishes the Historic Preservation Income Tax Credit. Establishes a cap of the tax credit for each taxable year from 2025 to 2030. Sunsets 12/31/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS ON DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES LANDS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the removal of homeless encampments on state lands under the Department's control. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and amends the maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code, expands the types of potential violations of the State Water Code, and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO UPDATING PUBLIC LAND LEASES ISSUED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 171, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

Requires that lease extensions approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources be drafted on forms that reflect contemporary leasing practices and policies of the Board, and which shall control over conflicting or inconsistent provisions in the lease being extended. Takes effect 7/1/2040. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Establishes positions and appropriates funds for the Adult Client Services Branch of the First Circuit Court. (HD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAII RETIREMENT SAVINGS ACT.

Clarifies the definition of "covered employer" under the Hawaii Retirement Savings Act. Requires covered employers to automatically enroll covered employees into the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program unless the covered employee chooses to opt out. Effective upon approval.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FEES.

Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources the environmental stewardship fee program to collect a fee from visitors through an environmental stewardship license and allocate the revenue to protect, restore, and manage natural and cultural resources through grants to nonprofit organizations. Establishes the environmental stewardship fee special fund. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Commission to make recommendations to the Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the use of revenues in the special fund. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct rulemaking. Requires a report to the legislature, including an environmental stewardship fee strategic plan. Creates civil or administrative penalties to be imposed after July 1, 2030. Appropriates funds.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAGE AND HOUR LAW.

Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to issue an order of wage payment violation to the employer found to be in violation of wage and hour provisions. Establishes penalties, enforcement, and appeal procedures. Amends the definition of "wage" to include compensation for labor or services rendered by an employee, whether the amount is determined on a time, task, piece, commission, or other basis of calculation.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO OCEAN USER SAFETY.

Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to issue emergency rules which may be in effect for up to 365 days for the regulation of commercial and recreational use of water sports equipment to promote ocean user safety. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as an investigator in a position identified by the Department of the Attorney General or the Department of Law Enforcement as a labor shortage or difficult—to-fill position, subject to certain conditions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction or the human resources management chief executive of each county to include in their annual reports to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as investigators.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ACT.

Updates chapter 329, HRS, to make it consistent with amendments in the Federal Controlled Substances Act as required under section 329-11, HRS.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO AN INTENSIVE MOBILE TEAM PILOT PROGRAM FOR HOUSELESS INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS BRAIN DISORDERS.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a 2-year Intensive Mobile Team Pilot Program in the Department of Health to provide intensive mobile treatment-type services to chronically houseless individuals suffering from serious brain disorders, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

Makes critical infrastructure information received or maintained by the Office of Homeland Security confidential, except in certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION.

Establishes the Community Fuels Reduction Project to be administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR CONSTRUCTION DEFECT REMEDIATION AT THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL.

Emergency Appropriation of $8,160,000 in general funds to the Department of Health to fund construction defect remediation, including the payment of legal fees and cost of special deputies attorney general, of the Hale Ho`ola Building of the Hawaii State Hospital.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

Requires utilization review entities in the State to submit to the State Health Planning and Development Agency data relating to prior authorization of health care services.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

Establishes a two-year digital youth mental health platform pilot project under which the child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health develops and makes publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS.

Authorizes each county to enact ordinances to enforce the design and construction requirements for the provision of accessible parking spaces, including the establishment of penalties for failure to comply with the ordinances.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS.

Requires any order to cease and desist issued by the Director of Health that is administratively appealed to remain in effect during the appeals process.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Establishes maximum rates of payment for medical care for patients of the Hawaii State Hospital or of another psychiatric facility who are under the custody of the Director of Health. Authorizes the Department of Health to establish long-term care payment rates for patients discharged to a long-term care facility from the Hawaii State Hospital or another psychiatric facility where they were under the custody of the Director of Health. Exempts the Department of Health from chapter 103F, HRS, for the procurement of medical care and long-term care for patients who are or were under the custody of the Director of Health at the Hawaii State Hospital or a psychiatric facility.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Authorizes general excise tax exemptions for residential care services provided by certain licensed health care facilities pursuant to a contract with the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health. Effective 1/1/26.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS FROM CIVIL SERVICE FOR CERTAIN POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Exempts certain positions in the Department of Health, including the Hawaii State Hospital, from civil service.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOME CARE AGENCIES.

Prohibits home care agencies from providing services outside the scope of their facility license.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS TO IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS.

Prohibits new non-medical immunization exemptions for school-aged children. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to establish and operate a free statewide mental health warm line to provide mental health support in non-emergency situations.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Repeals section 328J-11.5, HRS.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO UNIVERSAL IMMUNIZATION FUNDING PROGRAM.

Establishes the Universal Immunization Purchase Program and Universal Immunization Purchase Special Fund into which the fees will be deposited to finance the distribution of immunizations free of charge to qualifying health care providers. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat