Bills & Legislation

RELATING TO THE TRANSITION OF THE OAHU REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FROM THE HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Repeals the requirement to transfer the Oahu Regional Health Care System from the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to the Department of Health. Repeals certain changes to the Hawaii Revised Statutes that were made by Act 212, SLH 2021. Requires the Oahu Regional Health Care System to enter into an agreement with the Department of Health regarding Oahu Regional Health Care System taking care of low acuity patients in the Department's custody by December 31, 2025.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

Clarifies and updates the responsibilities of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to reflect the current mental health systems of care that address the mental health needs of children and adolescents in the State.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT.

Authorizes the Hawaii Medical Board as the State of Principal License to investigate and request criminal history records of qualified physicians seeking licensing through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. Appropriates funds. Effective 07/01/2025.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARDS.

Modifies and improves the effectiveness of the renewable portfolio standards law, which stipulates the central role of Hawaii's electric utility companies in complying with the State's renewable energy and climate goals to address emerging trends.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls in the fourth quarter due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY REVIEW BOARD.

Amends the quorum requirements to do business and validate acts of the Small Business Regulatory Review Board.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ZERO EMISSIONS CLEAN ECONOMY TARGET.

Provides needed clarifications on the applicability and scope of section 225P-5, HRS. Clarifies current emissions reduction goals and defines critical terms used in climate mitigation. Establishes a total or gross emissions target as well as sector-specific targets to reinforce action in the relevant emitting sectors further strengthening the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health for health care services contracted with community-based organizations.

Ikaika OldsDemocrat

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Establishes that any grants received from the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) by an eligible business pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 shall not be subject to state general excise tax. Requires any state general excise tax paid by eligible businesses for RRF grants to be refunded to the tax payer. Applicable to taxable years beginning after 3/11/2021.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MOTOR VEHICLE INDUSTRY LICENSING ACT.

Authorizes manufacturers and distributors to sell directly to consumers items activated or installed through remote electronic transmission. Clarifies the applicability of the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Act to common entities. Amends the grounds for denying, suspending, revoking, or otherwise taking adverse action on a licensee. Prohibits a manufacturer or distributor from requiring a dealer to purchase or lease any electric vehicle charging station at the dealer's expenses unless provided notice of intent to sell the manufacturer's or distributor's electric vehicles. Clarifies the conditions for the transfer of a franchise. Clarifies the requirements for reimbursing a dealer for parts and labor.

Chris ToddDemocrat

RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a statewide financial literacy curricula plan for public high schools. Requires all public high schools to offer instruction in financial literacy as a requirement for graduation. Requires the Department of Education to provide professional development to teachers on financial literacy. Requires the Board of Education to adopt administrative rules to implement the financial literacy education curriculum.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO THE ARTS.

Short form bill relating to the arts.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO DIGITAL EQUITY.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a digital navigator pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices to residents.

Greggor IlaganDemocrat

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Makes emergency appropriations and commensurate reductions to pay for anticipated operating shortfalls due to the limited ability to transfer funds between programs.

Nadine K. NakamuraDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent. Allows partial or full repayment of Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund interim loans in the form of unit equity through the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Program. Gives preference to projects developed under governmental assistance programs pursuant to section 201H-36(a)(2).

Luke A. EvslinDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME.

Implements a phased elimination of the tip credit.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND CONVEYANCE TAX.

Establishes a surcharge on the conveyance tax upon the net capital gain from the transfer or conveyance of agricultural land.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS.

Short form bill relating to military affairs.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Short form bill relating to public safety.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO BAIL.

Requires judges to make certain findings regarding a defendant's ability to afford bail.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO INCOME TAX.

Increases the income tax rate on the highest income earners in the State by establishing a new tax bracket for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2029.

Amy A. PerrusoDemocrat

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

Allows the Department of Human Services to administer and provide public assistance to eligible residents of the State during a Governor-Declared State of Emergency.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO NUISANCE ABATEMENT.

Requires the court to impose a mandatory fine per violation for nuisance abatement laws related to gambling offenses. Allows citizens who bring civil nuisance abatement suits against places used for illegal gambling the same rights and protections as those afforded to victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO DATA SHARING.

Establishes a data sharing and governance working group within the office of enterprise technology services. Appropriates funds.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO AIRCRAFT.

Requires the Director of Transportation to adopt rules that require tour aircraft operators to have aircraft liability insurance coverage no less than $5,000,000 per person per incident.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE.

Makes mandatory the suspension of the driver's license of a driver or registered owner of a vehicle for operating a motor vehicle without a motor vehicle insurance policy.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO LAND COURT.

Repeals the Land Court. Requires registered owners of an interest in property registered in land court to deregister their interest. Requires the land court to inform registered owners of the requirement to deregister. Appropriates moneys.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL LICENSE PLATES.

Authorizes the issuance of special number vehicle license plates commemorating the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Darius K. KilaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF VETERANS' SERVICES.

Appropriates moneys to the Office of Veterans' Services to perform its statutory duties, including maintaining a center that provides information, counsel, aid, and assistance to veterans, their families, and their dependents; and cooperating with federal agencies responsible for the administration of rights and benefits granted to veterans, their families, and their dependents.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO HURRICANE RESISTANT CRITERIA.

Requires the State to consider hurricane resistant criteria when designing and constructing new state buildings, constructed on or after 7/1/2025, for the capability of providing shelter refuge.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA MINOR PERMITS.

Amends the definition of "special management area minor permit", in section 205A-22, HRS, to mean an action by the applicable authority authorizing: (1) Development, the valuation of which does not exceed $1,000,000, and that has no substantial adverse environmental or ecological effect, taking into account potential cumulative effects; or (2) Construction or reconstruction of single-family residential use that is less than 7,500 square feet of floor area in aggregate; is situated on a shoreline parcel or a parcel that is impacted by waves, storm surges, high tide, or shoreline erosion; and is not part of a larger development.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS.

Closes or reclassifies certain non-general funds of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, pursuant to certain recommendations made by the Auditor in Auditor's Report No. 2408.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO VETERANS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS.

Regulates persons receiving compensation for providing advice or assistance regarding veterans benefits.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM INSURANCE.

Establishes the Hawaii Condominium Mutual Insurance Company to provide property and casualty insurance to high-rise residential condominium properties and the owners of those units. Establishes a loan fund to assist associations of apartment owners experiencing increased insurance costs. Appropriates moneys.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO STATE LAW.

Short form bill relating to state law.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

Short form bill relating to the Department of the Attorney General.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSERVATION BANKING.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to operate and approve conservation banks and amends the Endangered Species Recovery Committee's membership and scope of authority. Effective upon approval.

Mark J. HashemDemocrat

RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE.

Short form bill relating to the Penal Code.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Appropriates moneys to the department of Hawaiian home lands for new construction of housing units for native Hawaiians.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO AUTISM.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Human Services to increase funding for applied behavioral analysis services for Medicaid enrollees who have been diagnosed with autism. Requires the Department to obtain the maximum federal matching funds available for the expenditure.

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE X, SECTION 2 AND ARTICLE XVIII, SECTION 12, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH A SCHOOL BOARD COMPRISED OF APPOINTED AND ELECTED MEMBERS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment that would establish a school board comprised of five members appointed by the governor and four members elected by the voters and representing each county. Prohibits board members from serving more than twelve years as a member.

Julie Reyes OdaRepublican

RELATING TO LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS.

Establishes enhanced penalties for multiple violations of the same liquor law by licensees in a county with a population of 500,000 or more, under certain circumstances.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO DANGEROUS DRUGS.

Establishes a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree if the conviction is predicated on the possession of methamphetamine or fentanyl, and progressive mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment if the person has prior convictions predicated on the trafficking of methamphetamine or the possession of methamphetamine or fentanyl.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO LIQUOR.

Requires Liquor Commissions or Boards to deny any renewal for a liquor license if the applicant for renewal has violated any provision of the Intoxicating Liquor Law under chapter 281, Hawaii Revised Statutes, on three separate occasions during the twelve-month period preceding the renewal application date.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Limits condominium board members to serving no more than two consecutive terms. Allows such members to resume their positions after one term has passed since their departure.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Provides an income tax deduction for tips received by tipped employees.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 4, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH TERM LIMITS FOR LEGISLATORS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to limit the terms of members of the legislature to a maximum of twelve years in the house of representatives or senate, or both, for terms beginning on or after the general election of 2026.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO PROTECTION OF MINORS.

Protects minors from addictive content by imposing special requirements for operators regarding consent, notifications, and age verification. Protects minors from having their online personal data processed without parental consent.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE THIRTY-SECOND REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriated funds for capital improvement projects in the 32nd representative district.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Creates an exemption within the existing limits on recovery to ensure that accepting restitution under chapter 487 does not prohibit an individual from a separate recovery from an action brought under chapter 480 for unfair and deceptive practices.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican