Bills & Legislation

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE BOILER AND ELEVATOR INSPECTION BRANCH TO INCREASE PERSONNEL RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

AQUINO

REQUESTING THE COUNTIES TO ADOPT FLEXIBLE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS OR ESTABLISH VARIANCE PROCEDURES FOR STATE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES TO ENHANCE LAND USE EFFICIENCY AND PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

URGING ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS TO PARTNER WITH THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE FOR SECURE AND APPROPRIATE DATA SHARING AGREEMENTS.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROVIDE INFORMATION RELATED TO THE DISPOSAL, DETONATION, AND DESTRUCTION OF EXPLOSIVES, FIREWORKS, AND SIMILAR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN THE STATE.

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

REQUESTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO PRODUCE AND PROVIDE A LIST OF STATE LANDS CURRENTLY LEASED TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR ANY FEDERAL AGENCY.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ALL MILITARY-LEASED LANDS.

Ikaika HusseyDemocrat

REQUESTING EACH COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT TO INCREASE ENFORCEMENT AGAINST OUT-OF-STATE VEHICLES OPERATING ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PROPERLY REGISTERED IN THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY.

Chris LeeDemocrat

URGING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENACT A NATIONAL REINSURANCE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS THE MULTI-STATE INSURANCE CRISIS RESULTING FROM CATASTROPHIC NATURAL DISASTERS.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A PERPETUAL, NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT TO THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU COVERING A PORTION OF STATE SUBMERGED LANDS AT MAUNALUA, HONOLULU, OAHU, FOR THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT OUTFALL AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM, AND FOR USE, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTED THEREON.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR TERM, NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT COVERING A PORTION OF STATE SUBMERGED LANDS AT EWA BEACH, EWA, OAHU, FOR A SEAWALL, AND FOR USE, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTED THEREON.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF ALLOWING BUSINESS OWNERS IN THE STATE TO UTILIZE FILTERED WATER COLLECTED BY WATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS FOR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP MINIMUM PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER TRAINING PROGRAMS.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

DECLARING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND REQUESTING STATEWIDE COORDINATION TO IDENTIFY, PLAN FOR, AND CREATE CROSS-SECTOR SOLUTIONS TO STRENGTHEN HAWAII'S PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO ESTABLISH AND CONVENE A PHARMACY REIMBURSEMENT WORKING GROUP TO EXPLORE AND PROPOSE LEGISLATION FOR THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

ENCOURAGING HAWAII INSURERS AND THE HAWAII PROPERTY INSURANCE ASSOCIATION TO REDUCE INSURANCE COSTS ON LOCAL RESIDENTS BY PURSUING SUBROGATION CLAIMS AGAINST POLLUTERS WHO KNOWINGLY ENGAGED IN MISLEADING AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES REGARDING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THEIR PRODUCTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

Chris LeeDemocrat

REQUESTING THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO COLLABORATE WITH RELEVANT AGENCIES TO DEVELOP INITIATIVES AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO INFORM KUPUNA ABOUT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A TWENTY-FIVE YEAR TERM, NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENT COVERING A PORTION OF STATE SUBMERGED LANDS AT LAIE, KOOLAULOA, OAHU, FOR A ROCK REVETMENT THAT INCLUDES STAIRS, AND FOR USE, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTED THEREON.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Part I: Increases the penalty for a third or subsequent offense within five years of excessive speeding to a misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum jail sentence of thirty days. Part II: Clarifying when a summons or citation is sent under an automated speed enforcement system. (CD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Allows electric cooperatives to recover wildfire mitigation, repair, and restoration costs through an automatic rate adjustment or other mechanism. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to initiate a proceeding for the adoption of rules, subject to the Governor's approval, to determine an aggregate limit for liability for economic damages from a covered catastrophic wildfire. Authorizes securitization of certain costs for electric utilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to conduct studies on whether the framework established in the measure adequately balances electric utility interests and compensation owed to catastrophic wildfire victims and on the establishment and implementation of a wildfire recovery fund and report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. (CD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Amends the retirement allowance for a member who first earns credited service as a judge after 6/30/2031 to 1.75 per cent of the judge's average final compensation for each year of credited service as a judge. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to study the impacts and benefits of reducing, from 10 years to 5 years, the minimum number of years of credited service that qualified Class H, Tier 2 members of the Employees' Retirement System must have to be eligible for vested benefit status for service retirement allowance purposes. (CD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to enhance access to and participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, including establishing additional positions. (CD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an installation goal for customer-sited distributed energy resources in the State. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs to achieve the installation goal and for grid services programs, microgrids, and community-based renewable energy. Ensures that certain levels of compensation are provided for solar and energy storage exports from customer-sited distributed energy resources as part of grid service programs and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish grid service compensation values. Clarifies when a person who constructs, maintains, or operates a new microgrid is not considered a public utility. Authorizes wheeling of renewable energy and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish policies and procedures to implement wheeling and microgrid service tariffs. (CD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

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 employee opts out. Repeals the limit on the total fees and expenses that can be spent for the Program each year. (CD1)

AQUINO

RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM.

Establishes a Hiring Pilot Program within the Department of Health, which includes an amended hiring procedure for delegated position classifications, certain flexibilities regarding minimum qualifications for positions having a salary range at or below SR-10, the ability to directly hire certain individuals into a civil service position if certain conditions are met, and the authority to make certain temporary appointments at the merited civil service pay scale without step limitation. Applies to recruitments initiated before 7/1/2028. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 7/1/2028. (CD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII ABLE SAVINGS PROGRAM.

Repeals language that gives the Director of Finance discretion to use moneys in the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program Trust Fund if the Director elects to accept deposits from contributors instead of sending deposits directly to the ABLE Program Manager. Authorizes the Director of Finance to expend moneys in the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program Trust Fund to provide incentive payments to ABLE account owners. Establishes a position within the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Adds loan funds administered by certified Nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) for certain for-sale affordable housing projects to the list of loan priorities for the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund. Expands the use of moneys in the revolving fund to allow financing as matching funds for CDFIs to mobilize other funding sources. (CD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO EVICTION MEDIATION.

Beginning 2/5/2026, extends the period for a notice of termination of a rental agreement from five business days to ten calendar days; requires landlords, or their agents, and tenants to engage in mediation and requires landlords and their agents to delay filing an action for summary possession if a tenant schedules mediation; requires landlords or their agents to provide specific information in the ten-calendar-day notice to tenants; and requires mediation to take place within thirty days from the date that a mediation center makes contact with both the landlord, or the landlord's agent, and tenant. Requires the Judiciary to submit a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 2/4/2028 but preserves the extension of the period for a notice of termination of a rental agreement from five business days to ten calendar days. (CD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.

Prohibits and imposes penalties for the intentional taking, harming, or killing of ʻIo (Hawaiian hawk). Increases penalties and fees for taking and killing indigenous species of aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants that are native to the State. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO WITNESS FEES.

Increases the fees paid to witnesses in civil and criminal trials. Changes the fees paid to witnesses in civil trials for travel expenses from 20 cents a mile to the mileage allowance prescribed by the Administrator of General Services. Authorizes reimbursement to witnesses in civil trials for use of common carriers. (CD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO FORECLOSURES.

Prohibits sellers of mortgaged properties in a power of sale foreclosure from bundling properties at a public sale and requires each mortgaged property to be bid on separately. Specifies that the sale of a foreclosed property is not final until the earliest of either fifteen days after the public sale, unless an eligible bidder submits a subsequent bid or written notice of intent to submit a subsequent bid, or forty-five days after the public sale. (CD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide counties with an opportunity to comment on certain housing development projects. Prohibits the legislative body of a county from imposing stricter conditions than the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, stricter area median income requirements, or a reduction in fee waivers to housing development proposals that would increase the cost of the project. (CD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires condominium associations to provide electronic copies of their governing documents, as amended or restated, to unit owners or their authorized agents, upon request, at no cost. Repeals the authority of condominium associations to charge a reasonable fee for administrative costs associated with the handling of a request for association documents. (CD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO DATA SHARING.

Establishes a Data Sharing and Governance Working Group within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services. Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

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. (CD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTIVE ORDERS.

Increases the penalties imposed on individuals convicted for violations of temporary restraining orders and orders for protection. Clarifies that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine for violating a domestic abuse protective order if the court makes an on-the-record determination that the defendant is or will be unable to pay the fine. Specifies that any conviction for violation of a temporary restraining order issued under the same judicial case number as an order for protection shall be treated as a prior violation of an order for protection. Clarifies when the court may suspend certain jail sentences for violations of domestic abuse protective orders. (HD2)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION.

Establishes safe harbor protections for survivors of sexual exploitation who seek medical or law enforcement assistance. (CD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO THE EXAMINATION OF CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.

Establishes the amount of compensation for private-sector examiners who evaluate a criminal defendant's fitness to proceed or penal responsibility in a legal case. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO STATUTORY REVISION: AMENDING OR REPEALING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE HAWAII REVISED STATUTES OR THE SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII FOR THE PURPOSES OF CORRECTING ERRORS AND REFERENCES, CLARIFYING LANGUAGE, OR DELETING OBSOLETE OR UNNECESSARY PROVISIONS.

Amends or repeals various provisions of the Hawaii Revised Statutes or the Session Laws of Hawaii for the purposes of correcting errors and references, clarifying language, or deleting obsolete or unnecessary provisions. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires the Department of Budget and Finance to enter into step-in agreements for payment obligations arising under certain power purchase agreements. Establishes the Power Purchase Costs Trust Fund. Establishes that revenues from on-bill charges for power purchase agreements and money from a surcharge supporting a reserve account shall be held in trust by the Department of Budget and Finance, and that independent power producers shall hold a beneficial interest in the revenues to the extent of the amounts owed under the covered power purchase agreements. Appoints, authorizes, and empowers the electric utility to serve as the billing, collection, and payment agent of the Department of Budget and Finance in the service of performing step-in agreements. (CD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the temporary Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. Clarifies, creates, and strengthens laws regarding crimes and violations related to agriculture or agricultural lands. Establishes clear distinctions between administrative and criminal penalties. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

Establishes the official designation of the East-West Center as the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, Inc., and exempts state fund appropriations to the East-West Center from chapter 42F, HRS. Renames the Hawaii Sister-State Committee to the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission and amends its functions and membership. Requires the Office of International Affairs to provide support to the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission. Expands the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's authority to establish out-of-state offices to include out-of-state facilities to support sister-state or province partnerships and other partnerships that promote and enrich the people, cultures, environments, and economies of the State and its international partners, generate revenue for the State, and buy property. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TOURISM.

Exempts all positions filled by the Hawaii Tourism Authority within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from the state civil service law. Amends the definition of "convention center facility" for purposes of chapter 201B, HRS, to clarify that the facilities must reflect a Hawaii sense of place. Designates the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board of Directors (Board) as an advisory board. Removes the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism as a member of the Board. Requires a member of the Board to represent a tourism-impacted entity. Provides that the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives each appoints a member of the Board. Makes the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority a position appointed by the Board, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to report to the Governor. Amends the eligibility requirements to serve on the Board. Provides that the President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority's length of term of service shall be set by written contract by the Board. (CD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO PARENTAGE.

Repeals the Uniform Parentage Act of 1973 and updates laws relating to parentage, including enacting portions of the Uniform Parentage Act of 2017. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Department of Health to submit annual reports to the Legislature on emergency transportations and assisted community treatment petitions and orders, based on information provided by service providers and the Department of the Attorney General. Clarifies the procedures for emergency transportation, examination, and hospitalization for individuals who may be mentally ill or suffering from substance abuse who are imminently dangerous to self or others. Requires treatment providers to provide relevant information to the Attorney General for purposes of preparing an assisted community treatment petition. Amends the procedures for involuntary hospitalizations and assisted community treatment petitions. Clarifies the circumstances under which a subject of an assisted community treatment order can be administered medication over objection. Allows a single psychiatrist, rather than a panel of three, to provide administrative authorization for medical treatment over the objection of a patient who is in the custody of the Director of Health and in a psychiatric facility. (CD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO VEHICLE TITLE TRANSFERS.

Clarifies that proof that a transferor has filed required notice forms with the County Director of Finance serves as a complete defense to any action brought against the transferor for an act or omission, civil or criminal, arising from the use, operation, or abandonment of the vehicle by another person. Requires, by 7/1/2026, the Judiciary to determine whether new forms or modification of the Judiciary's website is necessary to assist vehicle transferors and, if so, to create the forms or modify the website. (CD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.

Repeals the exemption of the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority from the State's Employees' Retirement System. Requires a retirant returning to service as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to re-enroll into the Employees' Retirement System. (CD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTRIC UTILITIES.

Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to appoint a receiver to take temporary action necessary to assure continued adequate electric services from failing regulated investor-owned electric utilities. Requires an appointed receiver to recognize and maintain the terms and conditions of any existing collective bargaining agreement and prohibits the receiver from inducing or causing a reduction in force, or terminating a covered employee, other than for a cause consistent with any collective bargaining agreement. (CD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat