Bills & Legislation

REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, TO REQUIRE COMPLETION OF COMPREHENSIVE COURSEWORK IN READING, LANGUAGE, AND LITERACY AS A CONDITION FOR GRADUATION FROM ANY STATE-APPROVED EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM LEADING TO TEACHER LICENSURE.

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD TO STUDY THE COMMUNICATION NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, OR DEAF-BLIND IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND MAKE NECESSARY REVISIONS TO THE GUIDANCE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL, LONG-TERM COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM TO EXPAND, EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE, AND SUSTAIN TREE-CANOPY COVERAGE ACROSS PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATE WIDE.

Lisa MartenDemocrat

DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MARCH AS MARCH4WATER MONTH IN THE STATE.

Chris LeeDemocrat

REAFFIRMING THE LEGISLATURE'S COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE AS A MEMBER LEGISLATURE IN THE PACIFIC INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MARCH AS MARCH4WATER MONTH IN HAWAII.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP AND PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON WAYS TO STRENGTHEN PREVENTION, INTERVENTIONS, AND PROTECTIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION TO EXAMINE THE APPLICABILITY OF EXISTING STATE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO ALGORITHMIC AND AUTOMATED DECISION SYSTEMS.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF LARGE DATA CENTERS ON HAWAII'S ELECTRIC UTILITIES, RATEPAYERS, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND CLIMATE GOALS.

Nicole E. LowenDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

URGING THE HAWAIʻI STATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO RECOGNIZE AND AFFIRM THE EXEMPTION OF CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT AND CUSTOMARY GIFTS FROM GIFT RESTRICTIONS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER CHAPTER 84, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

REQUESTING THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO REVIEW AND CLARIFY THE ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM IN RELATION TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF INDIVIDUAL CAMPUSES.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

URGING THE COUNTY OF HAWAII AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ADOPT ORDINANCES BANNING THE SALE, RENTAL, AND DISTRIBUTION OF DISPOSABLE BODYBOARDS.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to designate airport special districts within airports statewide. Increases penalties for certain aeronautics law violations by reclassifying them from civil violations to petty misdemeanors. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS H.R. 2687, ALSO KNOWN AS THE END KIDNEY DEATHS ACT.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A SHARED-DECISION MAKING COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN TO ESTABLISH A K-12 KAIAPUNI SCHOOL IN KAPOLEI.

Trish La ChicaDemocrat

URGING THE ʻAHA MOKU ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO FOLLOW ITS ADOPTED RULES OF PRACTICE, FULFILL ITS STATUTORY DUTIES, INCLUDING COMPLYING WITH THE SUNSHINE LAW, CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND ESTABLISH POLICIES TO ASSURE CONSISTENT STANDARDS OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTABILITY; AND REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL AUDIT OF THE ʻAHA MOKU ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvements for the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Agricultural Research and Extension Station on Kauai. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL CAFETERIA MEAL COSTS.

Requires the Department of Education to charge no less than one-quarter of the cost of preparing a school meal for each school meal. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

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 BRIBERY.

Establishes the offense of failure to report bribery by a state elected official as a misdemeanor. Requires a state elected official who knows of or witnesses the conferring, offering, solicitation, or acceptance of a pecuniary benefit in violation of the bribery statute to report the conduct to the Department of the Attorney General, a county prosecuting attorney, a law enforcement agency, the State Ethics Commission, or a county ethics board within sixty days. Defines "state elected official". Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

REQUESTING THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL TO DEVELOP AND ADOPT BASIC SHELTER STANDARDS TO ENABLE LOW-COST, RAPID-DEPLOYMENT HOUSING SOLUTIONS.

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMERCE.

Prohibits acquiring and holding stocks and other interests if the acquisition and holding lessens access to health care or increases insurance rates. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO EVALUATE WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD IMPLEMENT A DEMERIT POINT SYSTEM FOR TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors, or for offenses punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment to apply to the court for a sentence modification to conform to the new limit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Amends the offense of negligent injury in the first degree to include substantial bodily injury caused by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the offense of use of a mask or facial covering by a law enforcement officer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS.

Establishes a Traffic Fines Task Force that will examine the Finnish tiered traffic fines system, determine whether a similar system could be implemented in the State, and provide recommendations as to how a system could best be implemented. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Requires the Department of Health to approve the content of such training. Clarifies the scope of treatment permitted under assisted community treatment orders. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of requests for a court order to provide treatment over a patient's objection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HOTELS.

Requires hotelkeepers to provide adequate notice of service disruptions to third-party vendors and guests under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO WILDFIRE MITIGATION.

Establishes the Wildfire Mitigation Working Group. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to provide administrative support to the working group. Appropriates funds. Revises the appropriations made by Act 302, SLH 2025. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO DANGEROUS INTOXICATION.

Establishes the offenses of dangerous intoxication and habitual dangerous intoxication. Provides for civil protective custody and transport for emergency examination in lieu of arrest for dangerous intoxication in specified circumstances, and bars prosecution when civil protective custody is used. Requires probation with mandatory treatment for habitual dangerous intoxication, with incarceration only upon probation violation. Makes conforming amendments to chapter 334, HRS, relating to admission to psychiatric facilities and assisted community treatment. Delays implementation by one year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining units (1) and (10) and their excluded counterparts to resolve issues related to temporary hazard pay for fiscal year 2025-2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL INTERFERENCE WITH CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY RIGHTS.

Establishes a civil cause of action for interference with constitutional and statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion. Authorizes private rights of action. Authorizes actions to be brought by the Attorney General, County Corporation Counsel, or County Attorney. Authorizes injunctive relief, declaratory relief, and certain monetary relief. Includes protections for constitutionally protected speech. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Repeals the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Makes housekeeping amendments to repeal obsolete references to the repealed criminal offense of unlawful methamphetamine trafficking. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Joy A. San BuenaventuraDemocrat

URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO FINALIZE, PRIORITIZE, AND MATERIALIZE THE MAKAKILO DRIVE EXTENSION PROJECT.

Mike GabbardDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE BUILDING PROJECTS.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, the State Building Permit Process Task Force to evaluate the challenges, opportunities, and legislative actions necessary to establish a State Building Permit Review Office for state projects located on state-owned lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Sunsets on 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

Clarifies state and local authority during a state or local state of emergency. Clarifies and limits the suspension of laws and access to records during an emergency. Defines "catastrophic harm" and "severe weather warning". Amends the definitions of "disaster" and "emergency" under emergency management laws. Allows the Legislature to terminate a state of emergency and county councils to terminate a local state of emergency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, removes the two-year limitation on the recoupment of overpayments and limits the amount of overpaid amount and the penalty assessment amount that can be deducted from future benefits payable to the individual. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to assess and collect a service charge for dishonored unemployment insurance assessments. Beginning 4/1/2027, specifies that employers must report separation and wage information within five calendar days of notice being sent, whether by mail or electronic notification. Beginning 4/1/2027, increases the penalty for failure to report separations or wages and for failure to file or for filing insufficient wage reports. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.

Specifies that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans issued by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to provide coverage for clinical preventive services. Authorizes the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations. Clarifies that, for child health supervision services coverage, the prevailing medical standards include recommendations by the Department of Health. Prohibits denial of coverage and prior authorization for clinical preventive services based on medical necessity. Specifies that a registered pharmacist may order a vaccine in accordance with the recommendations from the Department of Health. Exempts this measure from an Auditor impact assessment report. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position for the State Building Code Council to support statewide building code coordination, permitting transparency, and modernization initiatives. Requires county reporting on building permitting performance. Requires the State Building Code Council to develop a plan for the creation of a standardized statewide permitting data system or publicly accessible dashboard and a state building code modernization and transparency initiative. Requires the State Building Code Council to develop standardized credentials and training requirements for permitting officials. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Establishes a framework for the use of intelligent speed assistance technology for habitual speeders. Clarifies liability for a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer regarding the design, manufacture, installation, repair, or update of an active intelligent speed assistance system. Allows probation for persons who are charged with excessive speeding. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate an intersection for the installation of a leading pedestrian interval and accessible pedestrian signal upon the first placement or replacement of a state-owned pedestrian signal head. Requires and authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate a certain number of existing intersections with pedestrian signal heads on an annual basis until each intersection with a pedestrian signal head showing a pedestrian crash within the last 5 years has been evaluated. Ensures that accessible pedestrian signals are installed at intersections where leading pedestrian intervals are already installed. Requires that additional safety improvements are implemented as necessary where leading pedestrian intervals and accessible pedestrian signals are installed. Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the counties, to develop a program that allows pedestrians and community members to request the installation of accessible pedestrian signals at specific intersections. Appropriates funds from the state highway fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

Establishes factors under which officers may arrest and detain persons without a warrant for petty misdemeanors and violations, and requires officers to document the justification for the arrests. Amends the circumstances under which officers may issue citations in lieu of arrest. Requires officers to issue citations in lieu of arrest for certain petty misdemeanors and violations, unless public safety or flight risks are present or the alleged offense involves operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant or the abuse of family or household members. Requires the Judiciary to promulgate a standardized citation form and updates the required information for citations. Requires the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit reports. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Requires that lands within the agricultural district with class B or C soils that have solar or wind energy facilities must also obtain certification from the Department of Agriculture that the lands are also used for a farming operation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO THE COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE PROGRAM.

Establishes short-term management initiatives for the coconut rhinoceros beetle response program. Appropriates funds for activities and positions related to coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation control. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Lisa MartenDemocrat

RELATING TO WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES.

Prohibits landfill units on land in an agricultural district with class A soils. Beginning 7/1/2025, narrows the prohibition on constructing, modifying, or expanding waste or disposal facilities within a one-half mile buffer zone of residential, school, or hospital property lines to apply specifically to landfill units or components of landfill units. Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit, or any component of a landfill unit, inland of an underground injection control line in a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand, with certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat