Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO MOTORCYCLE INSTRUCTION PERMITS.

Starting on July 1, 2026, requires all applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to successfully complete a basic motorcycle rider course approved by the Department of Transportation before becoming eligible for the permit. Designates exemptions for certain drivers on an enclosed training course. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL HARBORS.

Requires masters or persons in charge of vessels to follow an order by a harbor master to evacuate a commercial harbor in emergencies. Establishes higher penalties for noncompliance. Authorizes fines collected for violations of this requirement as moneys to be paid into the Special Harbor Fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Repeals the Public Utilities Commission's authority to penalize electric utility companies that fail to meet the renewable portfolio standards.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Units (1), (2), (3), (4), (8), (9), (10), (13), and (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal year 2024-2025. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 has been exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education for teacher‑requested classroom supplies; provided that the private sector contributes matching funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Exempts housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from school impact fees.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes a statewide underground water and carbon sequestration resource characterization program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Establishes ratemaking regulations for insurers who base their rates on a policyholder or applicant's wildfire risk. Amends the definition of "prospective loss costs" to incorporate catastrophe modeling instead of historical aggregate losses. Prohibits insurers from basing certain insurance rates on past loss experience within or outside the State. Requires insurers to provide a list of items that may be covered under a homeowners insurance policy issued or renewed on or after 1/1/2026, as additional living expenses when a claim for additional living expenses is made. If a loss relating to a state of emergency occurs, requires coverage for additional living expenses for a period of not less than 24 months from the loss, subject to other policy provisions. Requires that coverage for additional living expenses not limit a policyholder's right to recovery if the insured home is made uninhabitable by a covered peril and allows an insurer to provide a reasonable alternative remedy that addresses the property condition that precludes reasonable habitation of the insured premises. Requires additional living expenses coverage for at least 2 weeks for certain losses incurred if a state of emergency is accompanied by an order of civil authority restricting access to the home. Beginning on 1/1/2026, requires each newly issued or renewed homeowners insurance policy that covers a property within the State to provide for the replacement cost value of the insured property. Amends the determination of over insurance under section 431:l0E-102, HRS.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS.

Repeals the definition of "finding of no significant impact". Defines "finding of completion of environmental disclosure process". Makes conforming amendments.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes certain counties to establish a rental unit price ceiling ordinance that prohibits a landlord from increasing the rental price of a dwelling unit at a rate that exceeds the percentage calculated and published by the county based on changes in the applicable Consumer Price Index. Beginning 8/1/2025, requires certain counties to annually calculate and publish the maximum rate at which a landlord may increase the rental price of a dwelling unit during the immediately succeeding twelve-month period. Establishes a nonrefundable Long-Term Residential Lease Tax Credit for taxpayers who own and lease a dwelling unit located in a county that has adopted a rental unit price ceiling ordinance to a person as the person's principal residence in the State pursuant to a lease agreement of a term of one year or longer. Allows the tax credit to be carried forward for up to three taxable years. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO REMOTE WORK ASSESSMENTS.

Requires the Comptroller, in coordination with the Department of Human Resources Development, to periodically assess telework-eligible allocations of employees of certain state executive branch departments and agencies. Requires the first assessment and notification to be completed by 6/30/2026. Establishes a position within the Department of Accounting and General Services. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2491. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Increases the caps for the total contract value for any one Capital Advancement Contract (CAC) and the total aggregate value of CACs in a fiscal year entered into by the Department of Transportation with private parties for harbor improvements. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a Slim-Hole Resource Characterization Program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reduces the general excise tax rate imposed on nonprescription drugs by one half. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for businesses to: offer, display, or advertise the price of live-ticket events or short-term lodging without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; and misrepresent any fees or charges in any offer, display, or advertisement for the sale of live-event tickets or short-term lodging. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE.

Prohibits civil asset forfeiture unless the covered offense is a felony for which the property owner has been convicted. Excludes the forfeiture proceedings for an animal pending criminal charges. Requires the Attorney General to deposit the net proceeds of the forfeited property to the credit of the state general fund.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEFENSE OF STATE EMPLOYEES.

Requires the State to defend professionally licensed or certified state employees from civil actions or proceedings, under certain circumstances. Clarifies that the employee may employ their own attorney at the employee's own expense. Establishes a process for the Attorney General to transfer or withdraw representation if the Attorney General declines to defend the employee.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

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 6/30/2025.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS.

Requires state agencies that monitor environmental toxins and pollutants to establish environmental action levels (EALs) to ensure the preservation of a safe environment. Prohibits modifications to EALs unless certain procedural requirements are met. Establishes a process to allow any resident to petition for modifications to an established EAL.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to achieve full funding status, including estimated payment increases, of Medicaid home- and community-based services.

Henry J.C. AquinoDemocrat

RELATING TO NUISANCE ABATEMENT.

Requires the court to impose a mandatory fine per violation for nuisance abatement laws related to gambling offenses. Allows citizens who bring civil nuisance abatement suits against places used for illegal gambling the same rights and protections as those afforded to victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Makes financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult by a caregiver a Class A felony.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO DUST MONITORING.

Requires landfills to have dust monitoring stations.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Authorizes each county that has established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015 to extend the surcharge until 12/31/2045, at the same rates, if the county does so before 1/1/2028. Provides that no county surcharge on state tax authorized for a county that has not established a surcharge on state tax before 7/1/2015, shall be levied before 1/1/2019, or after 12/31/2045. Repeals certain conditions on the use of surcharges for housing infrastructure costs. Effective 5/13/2040. (SD1)

III RichardsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes an income tax credit for the purchase of electric garbage trucks by qualified taxpayers. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Kamaaina Homes Program to provide funding to the counties to purchase voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or homebuyers.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER FLUORIDATION.

Requires certain water suppliers in the State to adjust the fluoride level in their public water systems to the applicable United States Department of Health and Human Services standards for optimal water fluoridation levels. Exempts federal water suppliers. Requires water suppliers to test water systems for fluoride levels at intervals established by the Department of Health. Requires the Department of Health to provide training to water suppliers for the implementation of water fluoridation. Requires the Department of Health to submit annual reports to the Legislature.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY SERVICE LICENSES.

Allows a dental graduate from a dental college accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada to be an eligible candidate for a community service license (CSL). Repeals the requirement that the licensing examinations be completed within five years of a request for a CSL. Repeals the requirement that a CSL applicant provide a copy of an active, unrestricted dental practice license form another state. Repeals the prohibition against a person who failed the license examination from obtaining a CSL. Requires a CSL to be eligible for conversion to an unrestricted dental practice license when a dental provider who holds a CSL completes at least five thousand hours of community service to patients in the State.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS.

Allows a person who has been convicted of 3 misdemeanors committed in Ewa Beach, Kapolei, or Waianae, to be sentenced to a term of geographic restriction during which the person is prohibited during certain hours from entering the specific area where the acts occurred. Mandates a sentence of imprisonment for 30 days for a violation of the geographic restriction.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO FIREARMS AMMUNITION.

Requires the licensing of sellers of ammunition, and for the identification and proper permitting of purchasers or possessors of ammunition. Regulates ammunition in the same manner that firearms are regulated.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL IMPACT FEES.

Places oversight of the School Impact Fee Program under the School Facilities Authority Board. Allows the School Facilities Authority Board to dissolve a school impact district without a public hearing.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Amends the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS.

Short form bill.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO UNCREWED AIRCRAFT OFFENSES.

Increases the penalty for using an uncrewed aircraft in the furtherance of the commission of a felony.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO VACANT STATE POSITIONS.

Requires that state public service positions vacant for longer than 2 years be removed from the state budget.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO ELECTRIC UTILITIES.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to consider whether approving a proposed merger or acquisition would or would not further the State's renewable energy goals. Prohibits the acquiring entity of an electric utility company from terminating or attempting to renegotiate any existing and valid power purchase agreements and requires the acquiring entity to assume and be bound by existing collective bargaining agreements and retain all covered employees. Establishes a process to ensure that when an electric utility is subject to an application for a proposed acquisition, merger, or consolidation by a potential acquiring entity that is an investor-owned utility and seeks approval of the application from the Public Utilities Commission, the electric utility shall demonstrate that it solicited bids from potential acquiring entities that operate under a non-investor-owned utility ownership model. Requires the electric utility to submit acceptable bids from a potential acquiring entity operating under a non-investor-owned utility ownership model concurrently with an application by a potential acquiring entity that is an investor-owned utility and the Public Utilities Commission to review those applications concurrently. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Clarifies the definition of "qualified nonprofit housing trust" to specify organizations that exclusively serve qualified residents as defined in section 201H-32, HRS.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO ACCESSIBILITY.

Establishes that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice for public accommodations to deny a person with a disability full and equal enjoyment of information related to their services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations using information and communication technology intended for use by the general public as applicants, participants, customers, clients, or visitors.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Beginning 6/1/2026, establishes presidential preference primary elections for the 2028 election cycle. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO VESSELS.

Requires the Department of Transportation to work with relevant stakeholders to conduct a study of noise regulations and best practices as they apply to other ports in similar locations. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HURRICANE RESISTANT CRITERIA.

Requires the State to consider hurricane resistant criteria when designing and constructing new state buildings, constructed on or after 7/1/2025, for the capability of providing shelter refuge.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL TUITION.

Requires graduates of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine who have paid in-state tuition to serve as a physician in the State for at least 2 years following their medical residency or fellowship. Begins with the class of 2029. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Conforms the Hawaii income tax laws to the provision of the American Rescue Plan Act relating to tax treatment of restaurant revitalization grants. Applies retroactively to taxable years beginning after 12/31/24.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Provides that the Liquor Commission or other licensing agency of each county shall deny the renewal of certain current liquor licenses upon receipt of sufficient protests.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING.

Establishes the Department of Housing. Places the Hawaii Community Development Authority, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and Hawaii Public Housing Authority within the Department of Housing for administrative purposes. Replaces the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism with the Director of Housing on the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO A STATE LOTTERY.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of a state lottery.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat