Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits covered entities in the State from entering into contracts with drug manufacturers that limit the covered entities' use of contract pharmacies. Voids contract provisions for certain drugs if the provisions are based on the maximum allowable cost payment model. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action for violations.

AQUINO

RELATING TO RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires all playgrounds located in state and county parks and on public school grounds to include special needs recreational playground equipment as part of the recreational apparatuses by 6/30/2027, including at a minimum a wheelchair accessible swing set. Establishes the Special Needs Recreational Playground Equipment Special Fund. Appropriates funds.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO SHIPPING CONTAINER LICENSING.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation the container licensing program to mitigate the influx of illegal contraband into the State. Imposes a nominal licensing fee of $1 per container. Subjects all containers entering the State to inspections and authorizes the seizure of contraband.

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score, except the summary of scores, during a debriefing requested by a non-selected offeror. Authorizes the disclosure of a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score after a protest is resolved and the contract is executed.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STABILIZATION OF PROPERTY INSURANCE.

Expands the powers of the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to help to stabilize the property insurance market in the State. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study. Appropriates moneys.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STRENGTHEN HAWAII HOMES PROGRAM.

Establishes the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program to encourage single-family homeowners to retrofit their homes to resist damage by providing for grants to help offset the cost of retrofits. Appropriates funds.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

Converts the Emergency Management Specialist series positions at level V and higher in the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency from civil service status to exempt status.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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 tax disposition of tax revenues to the funds to include all tobacco product taxes. Repeals obsolete historical tax rates.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM.

Amend sections 6E-3 and 76-16(b), HRS, to allow the Department of Land and Natural Resources to employ both civil service and non-civil service professional and technical staff in its State Historic Preservation Program.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

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.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Requires the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health to develop and implement a comprehensive messaging and informational campaign to prevent cannabis use among the State's youth. Requires the Division to establish and enter into contracts with community-based organizations to award grants to prevent substance misuse among youth through evidenced-based prevention programs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCING.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a cesspool conversion on-bill financing program to be administered by the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority to provide low-interest loans to eligible homeowners for the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PROBATION.

Establishes the Hawaii Opportunity Probation with Enforcement Program to be administered by the Judiciary.

WARD

RELATING TO SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC.

Amends Act 205, SLH 2024, by: reducing undue burdens on charitable fundraising platforms and platform charities, including requirements related to good standing, reporting complaints, waivers of certain requirements, solicitation campaign records, and contracts; and extending its effective date until 6/30/2026. Effective 7/1/2026.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO PERMITS.

Establishes specific deadlines within the facilitated application process and requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish certain resources and processes to help streamline permit applications. Appropriates funds.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FOURTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the fourth representative district.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Authorizes the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish a two-year Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program to provide fifty per cent matching grants to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the United States Department of Defense Office of Naval Research. Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund. Sunsets the grant program on 6/30/2027.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO AIR POLLUTION.

Requires owners or operators of waste combustion facilities to develop a plan to implement continuous monitoring and sampling technologies at each combustion unit to monitor and sample for certain air contaminants. Requires a publicly available website hosted by the Department of Health to track and display the data collected on the air contaminants. Requires the Department of Health to adjust permit limits for air contaminants based on the data collected. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO ADAPTATION PATHWAYS PLANNING.

Expands the authority of the State and counties to develop adaptation pathways plans to modify and relocate infrastructure away from critically threatened areas to locations outside sea level rise and coastal flooding exposure areas. Appropriates funds.

Sean QuinlanDemocrat

RELATING TO LABOR.

Establishes a Portable Benefits Program under the administration of a board of trustees to provide portable benefits to gig workers. Expands the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program to gig workers. Appropriates funds.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO THE WORKS OF ART SPECIAL FUND.

Specifies that the works of art special fund's one per cent transfer requirement shall apply only to capital improvement appropriations for the original construction of state buildings. Amends the authority for funds from the works of art special fund to be used only for costs related to the acquisition of works of art. Appropriates funds.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat

RELATING TO WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICES IN SCHOOLS.

Requires each public school to implement a policy to prohibit students from using cellular phones and other wireless communication devices during school hours, subject to exceptions for education, health, and emergencies.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Requires the Department Education, in coordination with the Department of Health, to develop a fireworks education and marketing program for implementation in public schools, including charter schools, and distribution to private schools.

Kim Coco IwamotoDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Kupuna Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Kim Coco IwamotoDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND TRANSFERS.

Authorizes the transfer of certain lands under the jurisdiction of certain state agencies to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Office of the Governor to provide profiles of Filipino immigrants related to demographic, education, and vocation data. Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with certain agricultural entities in the Philippines. Requires and appropriates funds for the Departments of Labor and Industrial Relations and Human Resources Development to develop a program that brings agricultural workers from the Philippines to Hawaii, under certain conditions. Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Agriculture to establish a hydroponics pilot program.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM PROXY VOTING.

Removes from the standard condominium proxy form the option of giving a proxy vote to the board of directors of a condominium association as a whole or to those directors present at an association meeting.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO ASSOCIATION MANAGERS.

Creates regulation requirements for association managers who oversee the daily operations of a condominium unit owners' association. Beginning 7/1/2027, requires licensure of association managers by the Real Estate Commission.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIME.

Specifies that the penalty for sex trafficking shall be payment of a fine of no less than $50,000 but no more than $100,000, and a definite term of imprisonment of up to 20 years without the possibility of a suspended sentence, probation, or parole. Provides that consent to sexual conduct is not a defense. Defines "sexual conduct". Provides that a minor who reports that the minor is a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts food and groceries from the general excise tax. Expands a 2024 session law exempting certain medical and dental services to include all medical and dental services.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO CORRECTIONS.

Restricts the use of solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with certain specified exceptions. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to develop written policies and procedures regarding solitary confinement by 7/1/2026. Requires the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission to review certain housing placements. Requires the Department to develop policies and procedures to review committed persons placed in solitary confinement and develop a plan for committed persons currently in solitary confinement by 4/1/2026. Requires a report to the Legislature and Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Effective 7/1/2026.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST ELDERS.

Establishes strict liability for crimes against elders with respect to the attendant circumstance that the victim was sixty years of age or older.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FOURTEENTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the fourteenth representative district.

Elle CochranRepublican

RELATING TO FEES.

Provides that any Hawaii-born or Native Hawaiian individual shall qualify for resident fees at state parks, regardless of where the individual currently resides; provided that the individual first presents to the Department of Land and Natural Resources certain documentation.

Elle CochranRepublican

RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

Changes the name and expands the functions and duties of the Office of International Relations. Establishes the Matsunaga Aloha Pacific Academy within the Office of International Relations.

Shirley Ann TemploDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RIGHT TO FARM.

Amends the definition of "farming operation" by including customary and traditional subsistence farming conducted by native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and excluding concentrated animal feeding operations and business entities with unclear or non-transparent ownership or beneficiary structures. Establishes additional criteria for farming operations to meet in order to be protected against nuisance claims. Clarifies the purpose and intent of the Hawaii Right to Farm Act.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

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 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 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.

Requires the department of education to prohibit cell phone use during the instructional day, prohibit student access to social media through the school's internet, and implement a social media education campaign. Creates exemptions for students requiring accommodations, emergency situations, and teacher authorizations.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes a high school law enforcement curriculum-to-career pipeline initiative. Appropriates funds to develop and implement the program.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a definition for "premium cigar" that is distinct from a "large cigar" and adds a definition for "characterizing flavor" in the Cigarette Tax and Tobacco Tax Law. Excludes premium cigars from percentage excise tax. Establishes an excise tax at a rate of 50 cents per premium cigar.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO CANNABIS.

Requires the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health to develop and implement a comprehensive messaging and informational campaign to prevent cannabis use among the State's youth. Requires the Division to establish and enter into contracts with community-based organizations to award grants to prevent substance misuse among youth through evidenced-based prevention programs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Authorizes liquor sold through a class 10 license to be consumed on or off the premises.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR.

Authorizes persons to apply for a permit to act as solicitors or representatives of licensed wineries, brewpubs, and small craft producer pubs in any county of the State.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR.

Defines low alcohol by volume spirits beverages. Establishes lower tax rates for class 18 small craft producer pub licensees, including for low alcohol by volume spirits beverages.

Kyle T. YamashitaDemocrat