Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO STATE EMPLOYMENT.

Establishes a five-year pilot program allowing retirants to be rehired for exempt service for one-year terms under certain circumstances. Provides that retirants employed under the program are excluded from the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund and will not experience an interruption of pension benefits. Requires an employer of a retirant under the program to contribute to the Employees' Retirement System. Requires the Department of Human Resources Development to submit a report to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Requires condominium association directors and officers to complete certain educational requirements within ninety days of election or appointment. Establishes a regulatory framework for the licensure of condominium association managers.

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSE REVOCATION.

Clarifies an administrative driver's license revocation takes automatic effect thirty days after a Notice of Administrative Revocation that the revocation remains in effect until the Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office affirms or rescinds the administrative revocation. Clarifies review timelines for the administrative review and hearing processes. (SD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Amends the renewable energy technologies income tax credit by: for taxable years beginning after 12/31/26, prohibiting taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $250,000 or greater if filing as an individual or $350,000 or greater if filing jointly from claiming the credit for certain solar energy systems installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property; limiting credit claims for certain solar energy systems for single-family residential property to two systems per single-family residential property and requiring systems to have a total output capacity of at least five kilowatts; and increasing the adjusted gross income threshold below which an individual taxpayer may elect to have any excess credits refunded. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO DIGITAL ASSETS.

Authorizes digital asset banking in the State. Requires the Commissioner of Financial Institutions to adopt and enforce regulations for digital asset banking. Effective 9/1/2026.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Requires operators of digital asset kiosks to have requisite licenses or registrations; make annual reports to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; limit transaction amounts for new consumers; provide disclosures, receipts, and customer service contact information to all consumers; and cooperate with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and applicable law enforcement agencies in the investigation of fraudulent transactions. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to investigate and take enforcement actions against operators. Extends joint liability to businesses or establishments wherein digital asset kiosks are located that are determined to have processed a fraudulent transaction or a transaction for which an operator is found to be liable.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.

Requires certain employers to provide unpaid and paid leave of absence for victims of workplace violence or threat of workplace violence. Expands the type of certification an employee may provide to an employer if the leave exceeds five days per calendar year.

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Establishes and appropriates funds for a working group within the State Building Code Council to develop proposals for an off-site construction program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES.

Requires certain notice and information to be provided to debtors in consumer debt collection claims to help protect consumers and increase fairness.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

Appropriates moneys to the State Public Charter School Commission for prekindergarten-only public charter schools.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Requires individuals to obtain a license to transport fireworks. Prohibits the transportation or production of fireworks without a valid license. Establishes a minimum fine of $10,000 for the importation, storage, transport, distribution, or production of fireworks without a valid license. Clarifies that certain assets are subject to forfeiture for violations of section 132D‑14(a)(1), HRS. Requires any person who reports information leading directly to a forfeiture for violations of section 132D‑14(a)(1), HRS, to receive fifty per cent of the total value of the assets subject to forfeiture.

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF WATER SAFETY AND DROWNING PREVENTION.

Establishes the Department of Water Safety and Drowning Prevention. Establishes the position of Director of Water Safety and Drowning Prevention. Establishes the position of Deputy Director of Water Safety and Drowning Prevention. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO EMERGENCY HEALTHCARE LICENSURE WAIVERS.

Authorizes the waiver of certain healthcare worker licensure requirements during emergencies. Requires the Department of Health to submit an annual report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires home schooled students to participate in certain annual in person tests at the public school that the student would otherwise be required to attend.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO MINORS.

Expands the statewide curfew to apply to minors under 18 years of age, instead of under 16. Amends the exceptions to, and penalties for, violations of the statewide curfew. Restricts a county's authority to enact curfew ordinances to only those ordinances that are more stringent than the statewide curfew.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO DRUGS FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

Requires the Department of Human Services to provide Medicaid and Medicare part D prescription drug program recipients with coverage of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs for weight loss. Appropriates funds.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO LABOR DAY.

Establishes a Labor Day tax credit for employers of construction workers. Requires any employer of a construction worker to pay the construction worker at a rate that is twice the worker's regular rate of pay for any work performed on Labor Day.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Exempts the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs from the general excise tax. Removes the state income tax on unemployment compensation benefits. Doubles the standard deduction for individuals earning less than $100,000 and joint returns earning less than $200,000. Repeals the incremental increases on standard income tax deduction amounts. Increases the minimum income threshold and exemption amount for the low-income household renters' income tax credit. Removes the tax liability for the first $100,000 of individual income earned.

Kurt FevellaRepublican

RELATING TO CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES.

Establishes a regulatory framework for continuing care retirement communities and continuing care at home programs. Establishes the Continuing Care Advisory Committee.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Establishes the Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force within the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine to prepare the State for the integration of breakthrough therapies, expansion of pathways for clinical trials and clinical research, and development of policy recommendations for safe, ethical, and culturally informed implementation of emerging therapies. Requires reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 1/30/2050. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CULTURE.

Establishes Immigrants Day as a state holiday that is held annually on October 28. Changes Statehood Day from a state holiday to a day of recognition.

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO CORAL REEF RESILIENCE.

Requires the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to: (1) manage and administer aquatic life and resources, with the highest priority being to protect, restore, and maintain ecosystem integrity, using the best scientific data available; (2) make plans by certain dates for the restoration of reef ecosystems and indigenous species to a level that is not less than an unspecified per cent of their natural biomass potential; and (3) make a plan by 7/1/2027 for the expansion of live coral cover at not less than twenty-five per cent on reefs that have historically supported naturally occurring live coral cover. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Amends the Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit to remove language limiting access only to those practicing in primary care, to add licensed dietitians, physician assistants, and social workers as eligible preceptors and students, and to include residency and followship programs. Adds the Director of Health and a representative of residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO AIR MEDICAL SERVICES.

Establishes the Statewide Air Medical Services Program within Establishes the Statewide Air Medical Services Program within the Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Branch to coordinate and strengthen air medical services. Establishes an air medical director, an air medical program manager, and an air medical coordinator. Specifies that annual licensure and accreditation fees are to be deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund for costs of the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO FAMILY RESILIENCE PILOT PROGRAM.

Establishes a two-year Family Resilience Pilot Program within the Office of Wellness and Resilience. Appropriates Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases from 70% to 90% the taxation rate on electronic smoking devices and e-liquid sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer after 12/31/2026. Provides for the deposit of the additional tax revenue into the Hawaii cancer research special fund.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO CANNABINOIDS.

Allows any hemp processor with a permit from the Department of Health to sell certain manufactured hemp products that contain a tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than five milligrams per serving. Prohibits the sale of certain manufactured hemp products to any person less than twenty-one years of age. Includes processed floral materials as "manufactured hemp products". Increases the maximum tetrahydrocannabinol concentration for tinctures to five milligrams per serving.

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO BACKGROUND CHECKS.

Authorizes applicants, operators, and third-party employers, rather than the Department of Health, to conduct background checks of employees and adult volunteers at healthcare facilities. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO PRETRIAL REFORM.

Requires release on recognizance for defendants charged with violations, traffic offenses, nonviolent petty misdemeanors, nonviolent misdemeanors, and nonviolent class C felonies, subject to conditions. Establishes exclusions for specified offenses, threats to public safety, and wilful flight. Requires findings when bail or detention is imposed, ongoing review of continued detention or conditions, and a prompt hearing if bail cannot be posted. Requires prosecutors to notify victims of pretrial decisions.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE.

Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICINE.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine to purchase, or to contract with a third party or third parties in the private sector to purchase and operate, a single-room proton therapy system; provided that the system shall be available to all residents of the State.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO THEFT.

Clarifies that the value of property or services is a grading factor for theft offenses that does not require proof of a culpable mental state. Increases theft threshold amounts.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO DETACHABLE AMMUNITION MAGAZINES.

Prohibits the use of a detachable ammunition magazine with over a fifty-round capacity with any firearm other than a pistol with exceptions.

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO TAX CREDIT FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

Restores the provision that makes references to the Internal Revenue Code's base-amount requirement inapplicable to the Research Activities Tax Credit, allowing all qualified research expenses to be claimed without regard to prior-year expenses. Increases the annual cap for the Research Activities Tax Credit.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Exempts county elected officials, county candidates, and county candidate committees from the prohibition on receiving contributions from a lobbyist during a state legislative session.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HARBOR SAFETY.

Repeals the sunset provisions of Act 236, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, thereby making permanent the requirement that the Department of Transportation ensure that the securing of mooring lines from vessels to commercial docks, wharves, piers, quays, and landings be performed by labor subject to collective bargaining. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO A REGULAR SESSION REVIEW WORKING GROUP.

Establishes a Regular Session Review Working Group to determine the essential timing and effective framework for a lengthened legislative calendar for election and non-election years. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires report finalization and drafting assistance from the Legislative Reference Bureau. Appropriates moneys.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Clarifies that references to the base amount in section 41, Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall not apply to the tax credit for research activities, and that the tax credit for qualified research expenses may be claimed without regard to expenses in previous years. Increases the annual cap on the total amount of credits that may be certified by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO BONDS.

Part I: Substitutes the word "tax increment" with "resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity" for purposes of the Resilient Infrastructure for Shelter and Equity Act, except under certain circumstances. Part II: Conforms state law concerning county debt limits to permit counties to exclude resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds from the debt limit of the counties, if a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds and excluding resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds from determinations of the counties' funded debt is ratified. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 12 AND 13, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION.

Proposes constitutional amendments to expressly provide that the Legislature may authorize political subdivisions, such as the counties, to issue resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds for specified public works, public improvements, or other actions necessary for housing and community development, and exclude these bonds from determinations of the funded debt of the political subdivisions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Authorizes the Superintendent of Education to appoint and set the salaries of certain positions within the Office of Facilities and Operations. Sunsets 6/30/2031.

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION OF AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Program within the Department of Transportation to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates funds.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO FOOD HUBS.

Amends Act 313, SLH 2022, to authorize the use of the GroupGAP Food Safety Certification Program established by the United States Department of Agriculture to qualify a recipient for grant funding under the Food Hub Pilot Program. Appropriates funds.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Authorizes geological subsurface characterization activities conducted by a public research institution under certain conditions. Clarifies that boreholes or test holes drilled for the purposes of geological subsurface characterization are distinct from water well exploration and geothermal or mineral exploration. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, to designate the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center of the University of Hawaii, or a successor entity, as the repository for data collected from any geological subsurface characterization activity. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the University of Hawaii to amend its exemption list to specify that certain geological subsurface characterization activities shall be exempt from the environmental review process or shall only require an exemption notice. Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules related to hazardous waste and hazardous waste management for consistency with federal regulations to specify that certain waste products generated by geological subsurface characterization activity are exempt from hazardous waste management requirements.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PARK LEASES.

Repeals the requirement for land covered by an agricultural park lease with a remaining term of fifteen years or less to be located in a county having a population of less than five hundred thousand in order for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend the lease.

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

A BILL FOR AN ACT 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 HRS or the SLH for the purposes of correcting errors and references, clarifying language, or deleting obsolete or unnecessary provisions.

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Adds the penalty of vehicle impoundment to violations of reckless driving and for failure to present a valid driver's license, motor vehicle or liability insurance identification card, or certificate of registration.

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat