Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Beginning July 1, 2026, bans the sale of all flavored tobacco products and mislabeled e-liquid products. Establishes positions and appropriates funds to enforce the ban. Repeals section 328J-11.5, HRS. Effective July 1, 2025.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CHANGES TO RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONCERNING PATIENTS, THE COUNTY OF KALAWAO, AND THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT.

Establishes the Kalaupapa State Historical Area. Authorizes the Department of Health to continue providing services statewide to Hansen's disease patients living in the community. Repeals sections of chapter 326, Hawaii Revised Statutes, upon the one-year anniversary of the passing of the last patient resident of Kalaupapa as affirmed in the Governor's proclamation.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HARM REDUCTION.

Repeals the one-to-one syringe limit for the needle exchange program. Authorizes the Sterile Needle and Syringe Exchange Program to provide needs-based distribution. Authorizes non-injection drug user participation in the Program. Modifies liability for exchange program participants, staff, and law enforcement officers.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO VIRAL HEPATITIS.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a Hepatitis Prevention Program within the Department of Health to address morbidity and mortality due to hepatitis B and C. Repeals an outdated reference to hepatitis and blood transfusions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MANUFACTURED HEMP PRODUCTS.

Establishes a minimum age requirement for the sale of manufactured hemp products. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Retroactively repeals the sunset date of the authorization for primary caregivers to cultivate medical cannabis for their qualifying patients. Clarifies that each location used to cultivate cannabis can be used to cultivate cannabis for no more than five qualifying patients. Effective 1/1/2025.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO REGISTRATION TO SELL MANUFACTURED HEMP PRODUCTS.

Requires manufactured hemp product distributors and manufactured hemp product retailers to register with the Department of Health to sell manufactured hemp products; requires the Department of Health to collect application fees and issue certificates of registration.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MANUFACTURED HEMP PRODUCTS.

Clarifies that the definition of "manufactured hemp products" in section 328G-1, HRS, includes hemp products specified in rules adopted by the Department of Health pursuant to section 328G-4, HRS.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY AEROMEDICAL SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to expand access to emergency aeromedical services.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Amends the quorum requirement for the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CREDENTIALING OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

Authorizes the Department of Health to implement a two-year pilot program that reduces duplicative activities required for the credentialing of health care providers by hospitals, universities, clinics, health plans, and independent practice associations; and establishes an advisory committee. Appropriates funds.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO AMENDING SECTION 323D-54, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, TO EXEMPT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FROM CERTIFICATE OF NEED REQUIREMENTS.

Amends section 323D-54, HRS, to exempt the Department of Health from the State Health Planning and Development Agency's certificate of need requirements.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Repeals the birth defects special fund and deposits a portion of fees for certified copies and marriage licenses into the vital statistics improvement special fund.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL RECORDS.

Repeals the requirement for the Department of Health to approve a provider's arrangement for the retention and preservation of patients' medical records prior to ceasing operations. Clarifies that retention and preservation of medical records must be consistent with federal and state regulations.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SAFE SPACES FOR YOUTH PROGRAM.

Makes the Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Program permanent within the Office of Youth Services. Requires the program to collaborate with all state and county departments that offer services for youth and young adults to coordinate the identification of youth and young adults who are experiencing homelessness and placement of these youth at a shelter for homeless youth or young adults. Authorizes the Office of Youth Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide shelters for homeless youth or young adults. Requires the Office of Youth Services to submit a report twenty days prior to the regular session of the Legislature.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ACT 253, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 2023.

Updates the name of the Neighbor Islands Blind and Visually Impaired Service Pilot Program by replacing the term "visually impaired" with the term "low vision". Clarifies the pilot program's implementation timeframes. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TENANT SELECTION.

Repeals the tenant selection preferences for disabled veterans and the spouses of deceased veterans in the State Low-Income Housing Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING EVICTIONS.

Reduces the time the Hawaii Public Housing Authority is required to store unclaimed personal effects of a tenant evicted from public housing from thirty days to fourteen days. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Eliminates the certificate of need requirement for all health care facilities and health care services except for nursing homes, hospices, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and ambulance service providers.

Sam Satoru KongDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.

Amends section 356D-6.7, HRS, to include all Hawaii Public Housing Authority parcels as areas that may be closed to the public.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID THIRD PARTY LIABILITY.

Amends third party liability provisions for Medicaid program claims for payment as required under the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.

Allows the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to sell, donate, or dispose of property abandoned or seized in federal public housing projects. Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to notify the known owner of the abandoned or seized property. Creates procedures for persons entitled to the abandoned or seized property. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM.

Increases the deposit and refund value for beverage containers from 5 cents to 10 cents under the deposit beverage container program.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO COUNTY USER FEES.

Exempts the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from county user fees, in the amount of $100,000 aggregate per year, and ensures county services to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for Hawaiian Home Lands.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts any development of homestead lots or housing for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from general excise and use taxes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

Confirms that Act 130, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, shall take effect on either the date of the Secretary of the Interior's notification letter to the Congressional Committee Chairpersons that this Act meets none of the criteria in title 43 Code of Federal Regulations section 48.20, or on the date that the United States Congress approval becomes law.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Exempts housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from school impact fees. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the tax rates for cigarettes and little cigars beginning 1/1/2026, amends the disposition of tax revenues to certain non-general funds starting from fiscal year 2026-2027, with the excess carrying over to the general fund, and expands the disposition of tax revenues to the non-general funds to include all tobacco product taxes. Repeals obsolete historical tax rates. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Reduces the minimum number of years of credited service qualified Tier 2 Employees' Retirement System members must have to be eligible for vested benefit status for service retirement allowance purposes from ten years to five years. Increases employer contributions to offset the resulting liability.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO USE OF INTOXICANTS WHILE OPERATING A VEHICLE.

Lowers the blood alcohol content threshold for driving while under the influence of alcohol from .08 to .05 or more grams of alcohol to reduce impaired driving and fatal crashes.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE.

Transfers the Office of Wellness and Resilience to the Department of Human Resources Development. Creates a Wellness and Resilience Advisory Board. Updates the Office of Wellness and Resilience functions. Effective 6/29/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO VESSELS IN STATE COMMERCIAL HARBORS.

Clarifies and expands the exemptions of certain vessels from the requirements for the securing of mooring lines in state commercial harbors. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

Allows direct shipment of beer and distilled spirits by certain licensees. Requires the liquor commissions to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Brenton AwaRepublican

RELATING TO FAMILY RESILIENCE PILOT PROGRAM.

Establishes the Family Resilience Pilot Program within the Office of Wellness and Resilience and appropriates funds to execute the program, including the contracting of services.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE LEGISLATIVE VACANCIES.

Provides the Governor with discretion to not fill a vacant legislative position if the vacancy occurs one hundred twenty days or less from an upcoming primary election until after the results of the primary election are certified.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Increases the transient accommodations tax and allocates a portion of the tax to the general fund for projects that address climate change impacts and advance economic development and revitalization. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE FUNDS.

Establishes the Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Special Fund. Mandates the allocation of all earned interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the newly established special fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Reduces the amount the Department of Education is authorized to charge for school meals to all students enrolled in department schools to no more than one-quarter of the cost of preparing the meals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE USE OF PUBLIC LANDS.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to consult with the Department of Education and other impacted departments or agencies prior to the conveyance of ownership rights or lease of lands to the School Facilities Authority. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to implement dyslexia-sensitive universal screenings, provide evidence-based interventions, and offer professional development on dyslexia and structured literacy.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for teacher-requested classroom supplies for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO COMPUTER SCIENCE LEGISLATIVE REPORT.

Changes the due date of the Department of Education's computer science legislative report from June 30 to twenty days prior to the start of the legislative regular session.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THERAPY SERVICES.

Expands the scopes of practice for occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech pathologists to allow those professionals working for or contracted by the Department of Education to diagnose medical conditions that can be treated with their respective services.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

Requires the Executive Office on Early Learning to establish an Imagination Library of Hawaii Program to provide one free book each month to children from birth through five years of age who reside in the State. Appropriates funds.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Adds 2 ex officio, voting members that represent the Department of Education and Board of Education to the School Facilities Authority Board. (SD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Allows newly graduated high school students to be eligible for workers' compensation coverage during the summer following their high school graduation while participating in work-based learning programs established and regulated by the Department of Education.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to establish a program to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsorily or voluntarily induction into the armed services of the United States and to persons whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE EARLY LEARNING BOARD.

Adds the head start state collaboration office director as an ex officio, non-voting member of the early learning board, and requires the board to invite the president of the Head Start Association of Hawaii, or the president's designee, to serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the board. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.

Establishes the Community Readiness Centers Program to be implemented and administered by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Establishes the Community Readiness Centers Special Fund to fund the Community Readiness Centers Program. Renames the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Environmental Response, Energy, Food Security, and Resilience Tax and directs a portion of the tax into the Community Readiness Centers Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE NATIONAL GUARD.

Specifies that intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a national guard member in the performance of duty is a class C felony.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat