Bills & Legislation

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 COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Prohibits condominium associations and planned community associations from requiring a unit owner to pay a filing fee, application fee, or other similar fee, when applying to improve, alter, repair, or renovate a portion of the unit owner's unit or other real property, including an exterior portion of the unit.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Provides for the administrative dissolution of any planned community association or condominium association in existence as of 7/1/2027. Provides the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs the powers currently provided to planned community associations and condominium associations under chapters 421J and 514B, HRS, and each planned community's or condominium's bylaws and other governing documents. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to submit a report and proposed legislation to the Legislature with recommendations to administer planned communities and condominiums.

Elijah PierickRepublican

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Prohibits the imposition of cost-sharing requirements for certain diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations.

Lauren MatsumotoRepublican

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE IX OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII RELATING TO RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.

Proposes a constitutional amendment that would legalize the possession and use of recreational cannabis by adults who are at least 21 years of age, as provided by law.

WARD

RELATING TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT.

Prohibits licensed attorneys from representing clients in small claims court.

WARD

RELATING TO RESTORING RESPECT AND DIGNITY TO AMERICA'S ONLY ROYAL PALACE IN THE NATION.

Prohibits parking of motor vehicles on the grounds of Iolani Palace. Requires DAGS to remove the blacktop, parking area, and paid parking adjacent to Iolani Palace. Requires DLNR to develop and maintain a pedestrian area adjacent to Iolani Palace. Requires DAGS and DLNR to report on cost analysis.

WARD

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Repeals the requirement imposed on the counties to allow for the construction of at least two accessory dwelling units on all residentially zoned lots. Establishes the accessory dwelling unit housing development program with the Hawaii Community Development Authority to award subsidies to individuals who build accessory dwelling units. Exempts those accessory dwelling units from general excise tax for the first 3 years of rental.

WARD

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Categorizes electric bicycles into three classes based on speed and operation. Establishes regulations for electric bicycles. Requires electric bicycle manufacturers and distributors to apply a label to each electric bicycle specifying the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle. Imposes licensure and insurance requirements for class three electric bicycles.

WARD

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT THE INHERENT AND INALIENABLE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO CLEAN WATER AND AIR, A HEALTHFUL ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE, HEALTHY NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS, AND BEACHES.

Proposes a constitutional amendment to ensure that the inherent and inalienable right of the people, including present and future generations, to clean water and air, a healthful environment and climate, healthy native ecosystems, and beaches shall be protected and shall not be infringed.

Mahina PoepoeDemocrat

RELATING TO TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.

Establishes a pilot program in the Department of Health to provide intensive mobile treatment-type services, e.g., "street psychiatry", to chronically houseless adult individuals suffering from serious brain disorders like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Della Au BelattiDemocrat

RELATING TO THE MEDICAL USE OF CANNABIS.

Establishes a licensing system for medical cannabis cultivation. Facilitates the transport of medical cannabis. Expands the scope of authorized actions for medical cannabis patients. Provides that qualifying out-of-state patients need not register with the Department of Health. Protects medical cannabis patients and cultivation licenses from undue discrimination.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Increases the number of voter service centers in the State. Requiring all voter services centers to operate during the same days and hours statewide. Clarifies that during each day of operation, during all hours of operation, each voter service center is to provide in-person voter registration, receive absentee and election-by-mail ballots, allow voters to vote in person, and provide voting machine services for persons with disabilities. Appropriates moneys to the counties for the administrative costs of voter service centers.

Diamond GarciaRepublican

RELATED TO CARE HOMES.

Increases the state supplemental payment ceilings for type I adult residential care homes, licensed developmental disabilities domiciliary homes, community care foster family homes, certified adult foster homes, and type II adult residential care homes. Authorizes an additional payment for resident clients residing in these homes when state funds for the state supplemental payment for a specific fiscal year are not fully expended, under certain circumstances.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATED TO CARE HOMES.

Increases the state supplemental payment ceilings for type I adult residential care homes, licensed developmental disabilities domiciliary homes, community care foster family homes, certified adult foster homes, and type II adult residential care homes.

Cory M. ChunDemocrat

RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY.

Establishes penalties for failure to remediate violations, including fines and, under certain circumstances, foreclosure on the real property.

Scot Z. MatayoshiDemocrat

RELATING TO COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Health to establish and administer a three-year Rural Community Health Worker Pilot Program that enables community health workers to provide outreach, education, training, and navigation to individuals residing in rural communities in the State and address social determinants of health. Appropriates funds.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

For the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, requires the Department of Human Services to: (1) prorate or exclude certain income from household members who are ineligible for the Program; (2) establish a standardized medical expense deduction option for elderly or disabled household members; (3) establish a pre-release Program application form for individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled for release; and (4) report to the Legislature. Specifies that, for purposes of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the federal restriction of providing Program benefits to certain individuals does not apply in Hawaii.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires kratom products to be registered with the Department of Health and imposes labeling requirements.

Gregg TakayamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Expands the protections established under Act 2, SLH 2023, to include gender-affirming health care services. Clarifies jurisdiction under the Uniform Child-Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act for cases involving children who obtain gender-affirming health care services.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO HATE CRIMES.

Defines "reported hate crime". Requires reporting of all possible reported hate crimes to appropriate authorities, including consistent documentation and analysis of such incidents. Requires law enforcement officers to receive annual training to identify, investigate, and document hate crimes and possible hate crimes. Requires the Attorney General to establish or update guidelines, protocols, and training materials for the reporting and investigation of hate crimes and possible hate crimes.

Adrian K. TamDemocrat

RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING.

Requires the posting of informational placards on sex trafficking and resources available to victims, in public buildings and at other specified locations. Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and make available a model placard. Requires the Department of Education to train teachers, school administrators, and other school personnel on the dynamics of sex trafficking and strategies for prevention and response. Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of the Attorney General to develop and implement public education and outreach events on the dynamics of sex trafficking and the importance of community involvement in prevention and response efforts.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Establishes the shipping container inspection program and shipping container inspection program special fund. Amends the definitions of "aerial devices" and "fireworks" within state fireworks law. Requires reports to the Legislature on implementation of the shipping container inspection program. Appropriates moneys.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

Establishes the Class A felony-level offense of serious bodily injury or death resulting from fireworks.

Kanani SouzaRepublican

RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Allows the Hawaii Community Development Authority to approve residential development on certain parcels of land in the Kakaako Makai area. Raises the building height limit on certain parcels in the area. Requires a certain percentage of the residential units developed on certain parcels to be allocated to households at or below a certain income level, with priority given to certain essential workforce in the area. Limits the sale of residential units developed in certain residential developments to prospective owner-occupants. Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to determine a Kakaako Makai Association Fee to be collected from all residential developments on certain parcels to be deposited into a special account in the Hawaii Community Development Revolving Fund to fund various services and projects in the Kakaako Makai area.

Daniel HoltDemocrat

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to improve Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program rates, including establishing additional positions.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

By 1/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2028, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION.

Appropriates funds to the campaign spending commission for permanent positions.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

RELATING TO MANAGING AGENTS.

Requires managing agents for residential condominium properties over seventy-five feet in height to have commercial property management experience.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO INSURANCE FOR HAWAII CONDOMINIUM PROPERTIES.

Requires property insurers to offer discounts on a condominium association's annual insurance premium if the association adopts specific risk mitigation upgrades or develops comprehensive disaster response plans. Requires property insurers of condominiums to base premium increases on actuarial justifications that reflect actual risk reduction resulting from upgraded fire safety improvements installed in conjunction with a building fire and life safety evaluation. Requires property insurers of condominiums to justify premium increases above 10%. Requires property insurers of condominiums to publicly report premium increases each year.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

Short form bill relating to Hawaiian affairs.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

Short form bill relating to the Judiciary.

David A. TarnasDemocrat

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.

REYES ODA

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Creates an alternative water source income tax credit for taxpayers who install, place in service, or repair a water catchment system or who purchase water delivery services.

Jeanne KapelaDemocrat

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.

REYES ODA

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires all department schools to offer community policing programs including DARE, LEEP, and PAL. Authorizes the department of education to work with the department of law enforcement and local police departments to implement the programs. Requires a faculty liaison.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE ANALYST.

Requires the office of legislative analyst to produce fiscal notes on all fiscal bills. Prohibits a committee from making a decision on a fiscal bill without a fiscal note. Mandates that fiscal notes be made available to the public. Appropriates funds.

Garner M. ShimizuRepublican

RELATING TO TAXATION.

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

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 THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Resources Development for the establishment of three permanent full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) positions and the development and implementation of a leadership training module for manager level positions.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

Makes certain urban development and land use requirements applicable only to counties with a population of less than five hundred thousand, including: vesting the director of the county land use agency with the administrative authority to act on any application for subdivision, consolidation, or resubdivision; the required adoption or amendment of an ordinance to allow at least two accessory dwelling units, subject to certain conditions, on all residentially zoned lots; the calculation of certain school impact fees; and a prohibition on private covenants that include certain limitations or restrictions for residentially zoned lots within an urban district.

Andrew Takuya GarrettDemocrat

RELATING TO WIND ENERGY.

Creates an offshore wind energy working group to generate a roadmap to define standards to consider in the developmental process for offshore wind energy. Requires the working group to submit a report to the legislature prior to the 2027 regular session.

WARD

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Expands the existing renewable energy technologies tax credit to cover claims made after 2025 for solar energy systems integrating battery storage or existing systems that are retrofitted to include battery storage.

WARD

RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Adds a minimum penalty and amends the maximum penalty per violation of the State Water Code, expands the types of potential violations of the State Water Code, and makes each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Requires the Commission on Water Resource Management to consider certain factors when imposing penalties.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Appropriates funds for the cesspool compliance pilot grant project.

Linda IchiyamaDemocrat

RELATING TO OPEN MEETINGS.

Repeals the Legislature's exemption under the State's open meetings law.

Kim Coco IwamotoDemocrat

RELATING TO THE TIP CREDIT.

Beginning 1/1/2026, increases the tip credit to be twenty per cent of the minimum wage and requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to annually calculate an adjusted tip credit amount.

Jackson D. SayamaDemocrat