Bills & Legislation

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 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

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE FOOD, DRUGS, AND COSMETICS.

Removes duplicative food-related statutory material and aligns all food-related provisions under chapter 328, HRS. Ensures adequate statutory authority for permits, fees, inspections, and enforcement. On 6/30/2027, repeals the Sanitation and Environmental Health Special Fund and transfers any unexpended or unencumbered balance to the newly established Food Safety and Environmental Health Special Fund. Makes conforming amendments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW.

Repeals the requirement that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations regulate hoisting machines and certify their operators and the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, including its rules requiring a separate state crane operator certificate. Allows additional time for the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to complete an investigation of a discharge or discrimination complaint pertaining to employees exercising rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Law without formal extension. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO MILITARY FAMILIES.

Authorizes an eligible employee to take family leave for a qualifying military exigency under state law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO PRIVATE SUPPORT OF EDUCATION.

Clarifies that free tuition at private educational institutions or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions where no tuition or other monetary consideration is required or paid by the recipient are to be considered conditional gifts that support educational advancements rather than contractual obligations unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. (SD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX.

PART I: Repeals future adjustments to income tax brackets. For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, adds an income tax bracket and increases the income tax rates for the three highest income tax brackets by one percentage point each. Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit and increases income eligibility thresholds for the credit. Establishes certain disallowance periods following a final decision that a claim for the credit was due to fraud and that the claim was disallowed. Extends the sunset for enhancements made by Act 163, SLH 2023, to the Household and Dependent Care Services Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and Food/Excise Tax Credit to 12/31/2032. PART II: Amends the renewable energy technologies income tax credit by: for taxable years beginning after 12/31/26, limiting claims for certain solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems and installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property to taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $250,000 or less if filing as an individual or $350,000 or less if filing jointly; removing certain cap amounts for solar energy systems that are not third-party financed systems; and increasing the maximum adjusted gross income an individual taxpayer must be below in order to be eligible to have any excess credits refunded and limiting credit refundability to systems that are not third-party financed systems. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires all health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations in the State, including Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Allows the Departments of Health and Human Services to accept and expend funds from public and private sources to support the expansion of access to continuous glucose monitors. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO RECORDS.

Removes outdated requirements and formats for plans filed with the registrar's office. Updates permissible drawing scales used in plans. Clarifies that statutory filing fees are set pursuant to the rules adopted by the Department of Accounting and General Services. Repeals obsolete terms such as "blueprint." Authorizes the Department of Accounting and General Services to approve the format of plans. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO CIVIL SERVICE EXEMPT POSITIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES.

Exempts from the State's civil service and collective bargaining laws the following positions within the Department of Accounting and General Services: all positions filled by the Public Works Division's Special Project Branch; and all positions within the Comptroller's Office hired to support communications, change management, and business process improvement programs as part of the State's information technology modernization efforts. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 12/31/2031. (HD1)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

Establishes the offense of criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property, punishable as a misdemeanor. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO MEDICAL DEBT.

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop, implement, and administer a Medical Debt Acquisition and Forgiveness Program to acquire and forgive outstanding medical debt for residents of the State, subject to the availability of program funds. Requires a report to the Legislature before the Regular Session of 2027. Appropriates funds subject to a matching private funds requirement. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Chris LeeDemocrat

RELATING TO PROPERTY INSURANCE.

Requires homeowners insurance producers to notify policyholders that they may submit information regarding improvements made to the insured residential property, which shall then be submitted to the homeowners insurer. Requires homeowners insurers to reevaluate the replacement cost estimate based on the information submitted by a policyholder, and offer the policyholder the option to purchase additional coverage to cover the full amount of the replacement cost estimate. Establishes an administrative penalty. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Angus L.K. McKelveyDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE INCOME TAX.

Provides that taxable income subject to reporting as distribution on Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-R may be subject to withholding at the taxpayer's election. Requires the Department of Taxation to adopt rules and prescribe forms. Applicable to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO MARINE AFFAIRS.

Declares that the State is an ocean cluster. Establishes the Office of Marine Affairs and Marine Affairs Governing Board within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Establishes and appropriates funds for the Marine Affairs Coordinator position. Repeals the powers and duties of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism over marine affairs. Transfers the employees and functions of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Marine Affairs to the Office of Marine Affairs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Glenn WakaiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE.

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, to develop a comprehensive plan by 6/30/2027 for the establishment of a Kakou Pilot Program to support families and children in need. Requires the Office to submit preliminary and final reports to the Legislature on the plan and identify an administering agency or agencies for the pilot program. Authorizes the administering agency or agencies to expend Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program funds for the purposes of the Kakou Pilot Program if the Legislature authorizes the establishment of the pilot program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

SAN BUENAVENTURA

RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING.

Repeals the sunset date for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna. Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna and for positions to support the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO NATURAL HAIR BRAIDING.

Requires natural hair braiders to be registered, rather than licensed, under the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. By 11/1/2026, requires the Board to adopt rules prescribing the approved courses or programs that cover sanitation, health, and safety practices required for natural hair braiding. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Donna Mercado KimDemocrat

RELATING TO BOATING.

Clarifies the penalties for violations of boating and ocean recreation laws pursuant to chapter 200, HRS. Clarifies the violations that constitute unauthorized conduct. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms to address economic factors sua sponte or on application by a water carrier. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a water carrier inflationary cost index automatic adjustment mechanism. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to waive or exempt any water carrier from any requirement under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Sunsets 7/1/2029. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Lorraine R. InouyeDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Implements recommendations from the 2025 Advisory Committee on Penal Code Review, established pursuant to Act 245, SLH 2024, to amend the Hawaii Penal Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Karl RhoadsDemocrat

RELATING TO ESSENTIAL PERMITTING POSITIONS.

Authorizes the mayor of each county with a population of less than five hundred thousand to implement a pilot program to improve the speed, accountability, and quality of permit processing within that county through targeted staffing, performance incentives, and interdepartmental competition. Authorizes increased pay for certain permitting positions and requires county personnel departments to prioritize the hiring of permitting positions as part of the pilot program. Requires participating county mayors and county agencies to establish goals for the pilot program. Requires participating county agencies to submit quarterly reports to the respective county councils on the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot project on 6/30/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MOTION PICTURE, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND FILM PRODUCTION INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Amends the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit (tax credit) by increasing the amount of the tax credit; requiring each taxpayer claiming the tax credit to submit an independent third-party certification verifying certain information to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; excluding qualified productions that incur at least $60,000,000 of qualified production costs from the per-production cap amount of $17,000,000; changing the aggregate cap amount to an unspecified amount; defining "streaming platform" and amending the definition of "qualified production" to include certain streaming productions; and extending the sunset date of the tax credit to 1/1/2038. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT.

PART I: Redesignates the Stadium Development District as the Halawa Community Development District (HCDD). Amends the composition of the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) for purposes of the HCDD. Amends the duties and powers of the HCDA and Stadium Authority as they relate to activities within the HCDD. Clarifies the HCDA's permitting and consultation powers regarding public projects within community development districts. Establishes the HCDD Special Fund. Appropriates funds. PART II: Appropriates funds from the Stadium Development Special Fund for the planning, design, and development of the HCDD, contingent upon on certain requirements. PART III: Requires the HCDA, when planning and developing housing, to endeavor to plan for complete communities that include various aspects supporting quality of life. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Donovan M. Dela CruzDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL LAND TRANSFER.

Revises tax map key numbers and the conveyance process by which identified properties are conveyed to the Department of Education pursuant to Act 307, SLH 2022. Directs the conveyance to the County of Kauai of certain lands held by the Department of Education. Directs the conveyance of land on which Kaimuki Middle School is located from the City and County of Honolulu to the Department of Education. Clarifies that land dispositions of school buildings, facilities, and grounds made by the DOE shall not require approval from the Board of Land and Natural Resources when these dispositions are for periods exceeding one year. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted due to wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. (HD2)

Michelle N. KidaniDemocrat

RELATING TO LICENSING.

Specifies that registered pharmacy technicians must be at least sixteen years old. Clarifies when registered pharmacy technicians are authorized to administer vaccinations. Authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to renew certificates of registration for registered pharmacy technicians. Clarifies renewal requirements and forfeiture and restoration provisions for certificates of registration. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a 5-year Hawaii Builds Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Authorizes the use of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for Pilot Program, subject to an annual cap. Mandates interagency coordination and expedited review for projects to facilitate timely delivery of projects. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE INDIVIDUAL HOUSING ACCOUNT PROGRAM.

For taxable years beginning 1/1/2027, (1) increases the maximum annual and total allowable deduction for contributions to individual housing accounts for income tax deductions and (2) increases the maximum allowable contributions for individual housing accounts to qualify for the income tax deductions. Repeals outdated language applicable to first-time home purchases made before 1/1/1990, by persons with an individual housing account. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish performance-based incentives, including revenue adjustment mechanisms, cost control mechanisms, and reward and penalty mechanisms on or before 1/1/2027. Clarifies that the Public Utilities Commission is authorized to adopt alternative ratemaking procedures to establish electric utility rates and performance-based incentives. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to apply a presumption in favor of considering historical cost trends and external indices that reflect incentives to control costs if the Commission resets an electric utility's allowed revenues based on consideration of the utility's costs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts certain positions under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) from the requirement that the employment actions and job descriptions of HHFDC officers and employees be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Increases the salary cap for the Executive Director of HHFDC. Renames the position of Executive Assistant to Deputy Executive Director for HHFDC and increases the salary cap for the Deputy Executive Director. Establishes the Finance Manager position within HHFDC. Establishes a cap on the term of employment contracts for HHFDC and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES.

Clarifies that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who meet an intermediate care facility or nursing facility level of care shall not be denied residency in a certified community care foster family home solely because of their disability or enrollment in a specific Medicaid waiver program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Troy N. HashimotoDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for the purposes of the Enterprise Zone Program to include certain retail sales of tangible personal property, processing of certain value-added agricultural products, the Hawaii food and product innovation network, and the provision of certain professional services by health care professionals. For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, extends the eligibility period of the state business tax credit for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones. Beginning 1/1/2028, extends the eligibility period of the general excise tax exemption for qualified businesses within state enterprise zones. Applies to qualified businesses who join the Enterprise Zone Program on or after a specific date. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE BOATING FACILITIES.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to: (1) Hold open public meetings before and as it develops a master plan regarding state small boat harbors, including the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor; (2) Finalize the master plan for state small boat harbors, including the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor; and (3) Consider the phased development of state small boat harbors, including the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Sharon Y. MoriwakiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO COUNTY LABOR STANDARDS.

Authorizes counties to require contractors to disclose employee wage, benefit, hour, and employment‑status information. Authorizes counties, under certain conditions, to deny, revoke, or suspend building permits for violations of related laws. Establishes a process by which an owner or developer may replace a noncompliant contractor and transfer the building permit to the replacement contractor. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO DISPOSABLE ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES.

Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale, offer for sale, or distribution for sale of any disposable electronic smoking devices in the State. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Herbert M. "Tim" Richards IIIDemocrat

RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING.

Allows the Department of Education to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires that unlicensed teachers hired on an emergency basis make continuous and verifiable progress toward satisfying licensing requirements. Sunsets on 6/30/2031. (HD2)

Lynn DeCoiteDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for businesses to: advertise, display, or offer 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. Specifies that any advertisement, display, or offer of short-term lodging or live-event tickets in compliance with the federal Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees are in compliance with this Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Jarrett KeohokaloleDemocrat

RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Specifies the conditions upon which the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation may transfer moneys from within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to a subaccount and between subaccounts of the revolving fund. Authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be used to provide any and all forms of financing. Expands the funding priorities of, and appropriates funds into and out of, the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/30 with regard to the financing and funding priorities of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies the Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program by: (1) allowing the Hawaii Community Development Authority to prohibit renting, advertising for rent, or using for any other purpose other than owner-occupied residential use a residential condominium unit, by rule, rather than statutorily; (2) exempting the design, development, and construction contracts from procurement requirements, subject to prevailing wage requirements for laborers and mechanics; (3) requiring HCDA to adopt rules to implement an initial sales period during which residential condominium units are offered only to eligible buyers for owner-occupied residential use; (4) authorizing the sale of a residential condominium unit that is not subject to an income restriction and was not sold within a certain period to be sold to other buyers, as determined by rule by HCDA, without an owner-occupancy requirement; (5) requiring HCDA to adopt rules that require at least sixty per cent of residential condominium units to be income restricted; and (6) requiring HCDA to establish rules to require buyback pricing similar to other state agencies' existing pricing formulas. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications that include changing the method for computation of interest for purchasers of certain real property. Expands the use of proceeds in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to include purchasing equity in for-sale housing development projects and interim primary or secondary financing. Exempts disbursements from the Affordable Housing Revolving Fund from appropriation and allotment requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Stanley ChangDemocrat

RELATING TO CHANGES TO RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONCERNING PATIENTS, THE COUNTY OF KALAWAO, AND THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT.

Authorizes the Department of Health to continue providing services statewide to Hansen's disease patients living in the community. Repeals sections of Chapter 326, HRS, to take effect upon the two‑year anniversary of the passing of the last patient resident of Kalaupapa, as affirmed in a Governor's proclamation. Requires future planning for the Kalaupapa Settlement to include community organizations, including one selected in consultation with the Molokai community. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Ronald D. KouchiDemocrat

RELATING TO VETERINARY MEDICINE.

Requires veterinarians to provide a written prescription, upon the request of a client, for any animal patient of a client with whom the veterinarian has established an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship, to be filled at the pharmacy of the client's choosing. Allows pharmacies licensed in the State to dispense medications prescribed by veterinarians. Specifies that violators may be subject to disciplinary action by the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine, which may include fines or suspension or revocation of a license. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Carol FukunagaDemocrat

RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.

Establishes a three-year pilot program in the County of Kauai to allow qualified psychologists under the supervision of a supervising psychiatrist limited authority to prescribe certain psychotropic medications to patients between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five years under the care of the psychologist. Requires employers to report adverse events, patient outcomes, and escalation protocols relating to services provided under the pilot program to the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Requires the Board of Psychology to adopt rules. Requires the State Health Planning and Development Agency to report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/2031. (HD2)

Dru Mamo KanuhaDemocrat

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as a law enforcement officer stationed at a public school as a school resource officer as a labor shortage or difficult-to-fill positions, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Director of Human Resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction or the human resources management chief executive of each county to include in their annual reports to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as school resource officers or investigators. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Brandon J.C. ElefanteDemocrat

RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the Hawaii Micro-Lending Credit Enhancement Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to expand micro-lending capacity by providing state‑funded loan loss reserves or other credit enhancement that absorbs first losses on qualified micro-loans made by participating lenders to Hawaii small businesses. Allows borrower fees and state matching contributions to capitalize lender-held loan loss reserve accounts. Establishes the Hawaii Micro-Lending Credit Enhancement Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Kirstin KahaloaDemocrat

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to approve and certify general excise tax exemptions for certain housing development projects developed under county housing incentive programs. Sunsets 7/1/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Tyson K. MiyakeDemocrat