Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

Authorizes the Governor and Legislature to enter into nonbinding international cooperative agreements with foreign national governments, foreign subnational jurisdictions, and regional intergovernmental partners. Authorizes the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission to review proposals for sister-state or province partnerships and international cooperative agreements.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the criminal offense of promoting an illegal electronic gambling device. Authorizes civil penalties and actions relating to premises on which an illegal electronic gambling device has been used. Allows the Attorney General, any county prosecuting attorney, any county police chief, or the Director of Law Enforcement to take certain actions against places used to commit certain offenses that qualify as a nuisance. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WORKFORCE PELL GRANT PROGRAM.

Establishes a statewide framework for the implementation of the federal Workforce Pell Grant Program to provide financial aid for certain short-term workforce education and training programs. Establishes a Workforce Pell Grant Program Approval Committee within the Workforce Development Council. Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to adopt rules. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Amends the research activity tax credit so that references to the base amount in section 41 of the Internal Revenue Code shall not apply and credit for all qualified research expenses may be taken without regard to the amount of expenses for previous years. Increases the annual aggregate cap for the research activity tax credit.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Establishes the Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research Matching Program within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to provide matching grants to Hawaii-based companies that have received federal Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer awards. Establishes the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Outreach Program within HTDC to be administered in collaboration with the Department of Education to require participants in the Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research Matching Program to deliver presentations to public school students in the State. Requires HTDC to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Establishes an advisory council within the Workforce Housing Regulatory Sandbox Program to advise on environmental and cultural practices within specific developments. Establishes a position. Requires annual reports to the legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/2050 (SD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Requires the University of Hawaii to develop a facilities and student housing master plan. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2050. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO ENCAMPMENTS.

Prohibits the erection, placement, construction, or maintenance of an encampment within one hundred feet from a state highway right-of-way.

Samantha DeCorteRepublican

RELATING TO THE COUNTRY CLUB APARTMENT BUILDING, HILO, HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to demolish and remove the Country Club Apartment Building and related structures and utilities located at 121 Banyan Drive, Hilo, Hawaii, on the parcel designated as tax map key: (3) 2-1-005:020. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Governor to request in the executive budget or supplemental budget that an amount of general funds that approximates the additional revenue generated by assessing the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares be expended for maritime purposes and uses, including addressing maritime environmental issues, as determined by the Department of Transportation, rather than be expended as part of the green fee. Amends the definition of "cruise fares" with respect to the Transient Accommodations Tax.

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS.

Clarifies that a county employee's code compliance review of plans for construction applicable to the specific engineering field is considered lawful experience in engineering work for purposes of professional engineering licensure.

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WAIKIKI WAR MEMORIAL COMPLEX.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds for capital improvement projects to rehabilitate the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium and develop a Waikiki war memorial complex and War memorial center.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO LABOR.

Clarifies the employment status of certain delivery drivers under state laws related to workers' compensation, wage and hour, temporary disability insurance, family leave, tax classification of business relationships, and unemployment insurance by establishing conditions under which delivery drivers are deemed employees of the business operating the delivery program.

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Authorizes a county with a pre-existing surcharge to continue the surcharge after December 31, 2030, at the same rate of 0.5 per cent; provided that after December 31, 2030, the split or disbursement of this surcharge between the State and the counties shall be 0.25 per cent each with the State's share being reserved and allocated to the Med-QUEST division of the Department of Human Services. Expands the authorized use of surcharge revenues to more than capital costs of a locally preferred alternative for a mass transit project for counties with a population greater than five hundred thousand.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO WRONGFUL IMPRISONMENT.

Establishes the procedure that a circuit court shall follow upon the reversal or vacation of a person's judgment of conviction on grounds consistent with innocence, and where the charges were dismissed. Requires the State to pay, through a warrant for payment issued by the Comptroller, advance compensation to any petitioner who was convicted in a court of the State, imprisoned for at least one year, and whose judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated, or was pardoned, on grounds consistent with innocence. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to immediately notify the Department of Human Services so the Department of Human Services may assign a case manager to a petitioner upon the petitioner's release. Requires the State to provide medical coverage to a person for a certain duration upon the reversal or vacation of the person's judgment of conviction on grounds consistent with innocence and where the charges were dismissed. Provides that the Judiciary and Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall retain jurisdiction over the person for the purposes of effectuating this process. Authorizes the State to seek reimbursement from the applicable county for any losses incurred by the State pursuant to this process. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Clarifies eligibility to seek compensation for persons whose judgment of conviction was reversed or vacated, or who were pardoned, on grounds consistent with innocence, and where the charges were dismissed. Shifts the burden of proof to the State to prove by a preponderance of evidence that the reversal or vacation of the judgment of conviction for a petitioner, or the pardoning of the petitioner, was inconsistent with innocence. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS OF THE FOURTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 4th senatorial district.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Conservation and Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/28. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND TRANSFER.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer certain lands to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL TOURISM.

Establishes statewide, uniform standards to promote agricultural tourism activities in the State for all counties that have adopted an agricultural tourism ordinance. Requires agricultural tourism activities to be registered by the county planning department. Requires agricultural tourism activities to coexist with an agricultural activity on a farming operation and requires termination of the agricultural tourism activities upon cessation of the agricultural activity, except under certain circumstances. Makes conforming amendments.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PRESCHOOL OPEN DOORS PROGRAM.

Clarifies that the Preschool Open Doors Program is open to all children, including children in foster care, who meet the eligibility requirements of the program.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCEDURES FOR TAX APPEALS.

Requires a tax to be paid before the courts may entertain a second appeal on the merits of the dispute. Requires a taxpayer who partially prevailed during the taxpayer's first appeal to pay the amount determined to be due in that first appeal, rather than the entire assessment, in order to make a subsequent appeal. Clarifies that a taxpayer who does not appeal the decision of the body reviewing the initial tax assessment by the Department of Taxation is required to pay the tax as determined by the Taxation Board of Review or Tax Appeal Court or the tax assessment by the Department of Taxation if left unmodified and unamended by the Board or Court. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PROCEDURE FOR PAYMENT UNDER PROTEST LAWSUITS.

Clarifies and adds procedural safeguards to section 40-35, HRS, which relates to payments to the State under protest. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HOMEMADE FOOD PRODUCTS.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules for the regulation of farm kitchens producing homemade food products that are no more stringent than those for home kitchens producing homemade food products. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Requires the State Auditor to conduct audits of Medicaid health care insurance contractors and the Department of Human Services and its Med-QUEST division at least once every two years, with the first audits to be conducted by 1/1/2027, and the reports to be submitted no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2027. Requires the Auditor to conduct audits. Appropriates funds.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as "Hawaii Care", to provide comprehensive health care benefits to all state residents and eventually replace all existing health care plans in the State. Designates the Hawaii Health Authority as the responsible agency for the comprehensive planning, implementation, and administration of Hawaii Care. Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop and submit a comprehensive implementation and administration plan to the legislature by a certain date. Establishes the Hawaii Care special fund. Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to adopt rules and submit reports to the Legislature. Requires the Governor to appoint members to the Hawaii Health Authority by 12/31/2026. Requires the Department of Human Services to apply for necessary federal waivers. Takes effect 180 days after the approval of the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan and necessary federal waivers. Appropriates funds.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Prohibits a financial risk-bearing entity from administering Medicaid services. Requires the Department of Human Services to contract with one or more administrative services organizations to perform non-risk administrative functions for the operation of the State's Medicaid program. Requires the Department to establish a Medicaid Care Coordination Program to contract with community-based programs to provide care coordination services. Requires physicians, other independent practitioners, hospitals, and other institutional providers to be paid or reimbursed directly by the State's medicaid agency. Requires the Department to establish regional health hubs in each county to serve as localized oversight bodies. Requires the Department to convene a Medicaid Stakeholder Advisory Group to support continuous improvement throughout the transition period. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriate funds.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

Amends the membership and responsibilities of the Public Land Trust Working Group established under Act 226, SLH 2022. Requires the Working Group to submit four reports to the Legislature: by 8/1/2027, a first interim report regarding Act 178, SLH 2006, financial reporting and accounting; by 12/1/2027, a second interim report regarding the public land trust inventory; by 6/1/2028, a third interim report that includes a preliminary draft of findings and recommendations regarding Act 178 financial reporting and accounting and the public land trust inventory; and by 10/1/2028, a final report that includes proposed legislation. Authorizes the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to provide administrative support to the Working Group in coordination with a third-party consultant.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC LAND TRUST.

Temporarily increases the total amount of public land trust revenues transferred to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, while reaffirming the State's obligation to the twenty per cent pro rata share pursuant to the Hawaii State Constitution. Repeals 6/30/2028.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Establishes the Ombudsman's Office for Condominium Owners and Associations within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Increases the biennial Condominium Education Trust Fund fee by $2.50 a year to pay for the ongoing costs of the Ombudsman's Office. Appropriates funds from the Condominium Education Trust Fund for establishment of the Ombudsman's Office.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO MAUNA KEA.

Extends for 10 years the master lease of Mauna Kea lands that is set to expire on December 31, 2033. Requires that subleases of Mauna Kea lands to astronomical observatories be extended for 10 years.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STRENGTHEN HAWAII HOMES PROGRAM.

Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources to award grants for qualified mitigation projects to mitigate against loss from fire. Provides eligibility criteria for residential property owners to receive grants and guidelines for contractors and assessors to perform work on mitigation projects. Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Revolving Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a program and income tax credit to incentivize the conversion of commercial properties into residential properties. Appropriates moneys.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO INTERISLAND AIR SERVICE.

Establishes a Hawaii Interisland Air Service Stability and Transformation Program to be administered by the Department of Taxation. Requires a covered interisland air service operator to issue an equity interest to the State as a condition of participation in the Hawaii Interisland Air Service Stability and Transformation Program. Establishes the Interisland Air Service Stability and Transformation Tax Credit. Sunsets 6/30/2036. (SD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SIXTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 6th senatorial district.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Allows applicants or primary caregivers to make a one-time purchase of medical cannabis after the submission of the applicant's certification form while waiting for confirmation of registration from the Department of Health. Requires the Office of Medical Cannabis Control and Regulation to facilitate the temporary authorization. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SEVENTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the 7th senatorial district.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIVE HAWAIIAN FILM AND MEDIA INDUSTRY.

Establishes and appropriates moneys for a Native Hawaiian film and media development program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes a full-cycle production tax credit for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Provides the Department of Taxation with certain duties and responsibilities in administering the tax credit.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO RESILIENCY.

Part II: For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025, establishes an Agroecological and Climate-Smart Farming Practices Tax Credit to be administered by the Department of Taxation. Part III: Establishes the Hawaii Farm to Families Program and requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Part IV: Requires the Department of Education to strengthen the State's farm to school meals program initiatives.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO HEMP.

Establishes an affirmative defense for a manufactured hemp product retailer that reasonably relies on a third-party age‑verification service to comply with existing age-based sale restrictions for manufactured hemp products.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO THE FOOD AND PRODUCT INNOVATION NETWORK.

Requires the Food and Product Innovation Network to integrate a coordinated food safety and regulatory framework. Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to establish key performance indicators for the Food and Product Innovation Network, develop a market access strategy, align and harmonize state branding initiatives, and report certain data to the Legislature. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to evaluate or adapt enterprise zone incentives in all counties to better support the Food and Product Innovation Network. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Requires establishment of a biological aquatic risk-based framework for assessment and approval of aquatic livestock importation and movement. Authorizes the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules implementing species risk categorization, tiered biocontainment standards, per-arrival disease testing, and interagency coordination procedures. Establishes an interagency working group. Requires development of species-specific risk matrices, interagency working group coordination with automatic permit approval timelines, and performance accountability. Establishes an implementation timeline. Appropriates moneys.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes provisions limiting state and federal collaboration for purposes of immigration enforcement operations. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to establish and publicly post written policies regarding civil immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement officers from initiating or prolonging a stop, detention, or arrest of a person for the purpose of determining the person's civil immigration status, except under certain circumstances. Prohibits state and county involvement in civil immigration enforcement activity in certain locations. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to assist state and county agencies in maintaining compliance with the civil immigration enforcement policy. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ECOSYSTEM RIGHTS.

Recognizes watersheds and coral reef ecosystems as legal persons with inherent and inalienable rights to exist, flourish, and naturally evolve. Establishes enforceable ecosystem rights grounded in public trust doctrine and Native Hawaiian customary stewardship. Authorizes citizen enforcement, restorative and injunctive remedies, civil penalties, and continuing duties of ecological repair, including for historic harms. Provides for open representation, community consultation, co-governance, and supremacy over conflicting laws.

Les Ihara Jr.Democrat

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to increase funding for certain Medicaid home- and community-based services, including residential services offered in community care foster family homes and expanded adult residential care homes. Requires the Department to obtain matching federal funds and to pursue additional funding sources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish an updated plan for maximizing Medicaid reimbursements for administrative and support services provided to students with special needs. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to open a docketed proceeding no later than 9/1/2026, to conduct a comprehensive, objective, and independent analysis of the State's energy pathways. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat