KA ‘AHA KENEKOA
THE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION OF 2026
|
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair |
|
Senator Sharon Y. Moriwaki, Vice Chair |
NOTICE OF DECISION MAKING
|
DATE: |
Wednesday, February 25, 2026 |
|
TIME: |
10:55 AM |
|
PLACE: |
Conference Room 211 & Videoconference State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street |
|
TIMESLOT: |
WAM |
PHOTO ID REQUIRED FOR ENTRANCE TO THE STATE CAPITOL
BUILDING HOURS: 7AM TO 5PM, MONDAY - FRIDAY
A live stream of all Senate Standing Committee meetings will be available on the Senate YouTube Channel.
A G E N D A
The following measure(s) were previously heard in their respective subject matter committees:
|
|
RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE. Establishes statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion. Requires each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to reduce all organic waste produced within the county by facilities generating more than a specified amount of organic waste per year in alignment with established state benchmarks. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
|
AEN/EIG, WAM |
|
|
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. (SD1)
|
JDC/TRS, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY. Appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and converts the position from temporary to permanent. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
|
AEN, WAM |
|
RELATING TO PARKING. Prohibits minimum off-street parking requirements for new developments or redevelopment projects located in transit-oriented development infrastructure improvement program areas. Effective 4/19/2042. (SD1)
|
EIG/TRS, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE RENEWABLE FUELS PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT. For taxable years beginning 1/1/2027, clarifies that the Renewable Fuels Production Tax Credit shall only be claimed by taxpayers for which qualified renewable fuels production costs are incurred within the State and sold for distribution within the State. Allows taxpayers to be eligible for a separate ten-year credit period for each separate qualified renewable fuels production that independently meets eligibility requirements. Extends the time frame for taxpayers to file certain statements with the Hawaii State Energy Office. Effective 4/19/2042. (SD1)
|
EIG/AEN, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO EDUCATION. Provides annual salary step increases for public schools and public charter school teachers who have completed one year's satisfactory service and comply with specified requirements, if negotiated into a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to section 89-9, HRS, and subject to the availability of funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)
|
LBT/EDU, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. Establishes within the Office of the Comptroller a five-year Office of the State Construction Manager Pilot Program headed by a full-time State Construction Manager, to provide guidance and recommendations on the design review of state construction projects administered by the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Education. Requires the Office to assign employees to the Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu to review and approve permit applications submitted for state construction projects administered by DAGS and DOE. Establishes the Design Review Special Fund. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. Pilot Program sunsets on 6/30/2031. (SD1)
|
GVO/EIG, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO VETERANS. Repeals the 6/30/27 deadline by which the Maui State Veterans Home must be assimilated into a state agency having a Maui affiliation. Requires the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home to be completed as soon as practicable. (SD1)
|
HHS, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION. Requires the Department of Education to hire a new contractor or contractors with the Governor's approval if a contractor under a student transportation contract fails to provide service on a contracted route for five or more consecutive instructional days. Requires the DOE to assess a penalty if a contractor fails to provide service on a contracted route without an approved justification. Specifies that the assessed penalties be deposited into the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund. Beginning 7/1/2026, requires all requests for proposals issued and contracts executed by the DOE for student transportation services to specifically reference certain new provisions. Authorizes the use of the School Bus Fare Revolving Fund to offset costs associated with procuring replacement services. Requires quarterly reports to the Legislature. (SD1)
|
EDU, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. Requires payments to the Agribusiness Development Corporation for letting, licensing, or renting of its properties to be at market rates or higher. Exempts lessees, licensees, and tenants who grow, raise, and harvest fresh local agricultural products for the Department of Education or are partner members of the Food and Product Innovation Network. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
|
EDT/AEN, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO GOVERNMENT LEASES. Requires that real property leases between state government entities cost no more than $1 per year.
|
WLA/GVO, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT. PART I: Redesignates the Stadium Development District as the Halawa Community Development District. Amends the composition of the Hawaii Community Development Authority for purposes of the Halawa Community Development District. Amends the duties and powers of the Hawaii Community Development Authority and Stadium Authority as they relate to activities within the Halawa Community Development District. Clarifies the Hawaii Community Development Authority's permitting and consultation powers regarding public projects within community development districts. Establishes the Halawa Community Development District Special Fund. Appropriates funds. PART II: Establishes the Banyan Drive Community Development District and the Banyan Drive Community Development District Special Fund. Specifies the powers and duties of the Hawaii Community Development Authority as it relates to the new development district. PART III: Appropriate funds. Appropriates moneys from the Stadium Development Special Fund for the planning, design, and development of the Stadium Development District by the Hawaii Community Development Authority, contingent upon the Stadium Authority submitting a report that includes various documentation types, statuses, reports, plans, and agreements regarding the new stadium project. PART IV: Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority, when planning and developing housing, to plan for complete communities that include various aspects supporting quality of life. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
|
WLA/EDT, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND. Requires that excess funds in the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund at the end of the fiscal year shall lapse to the credit of the general fund. (SD1)
|
EDU, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD1)
|
WLA, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO EDUCATION. Requires the Department of Education to report to the Legislature on the integration of certain content into existing social studies curricula at public schools. Establishes a one-year 100th Infantry Battalion history curriculum pilot program within certain public high schools during the 2026-2027 school year. Requires reports to the Legislature. (SD1)
|
EDU/PSM, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS. Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire, repair, and maintain irrigation systems in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
|
AEN/WLA/EDT, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII. Appropriates funds to establish bachelor's degree programs in education and in agricultural science at Leeward Community College; to fund two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) positions; and for supplies and equipment to support the programs. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
|
EDU, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO EDUCATION. Requires the Department of Education to establish a one-year Student-Authored Book Publication Pilot Program for fifth graders at Kalihi public elementary schools to be integrated into existing curricula. Requires a report to the legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD1)
|
EDU, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM'S EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS FOR NORMAL COST AND ACCRUED LIABILITY. Increases employer contribution rate for normal cost and accrued liability for police officers, firefighters, and corrections officers to ensure that the amortization period for the unfunded accrued liability of the State's Employees' Retirement System does not exceed the maximum funding period. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)
|
LBT, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE EXEMPTION FROM CIVIL SERVICE OF EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL OF THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM. Allows the Board of Trustees of the Employees' Retirement System, through its Executive Director, to appoint specified executive personnel positions of the Employees' Retirement System of the State of Hawaii and exempts these positions from the State's civil service requirements. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)
|
LBT, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. Establishes the Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency as the Deputy Director of Emergency Management within the Department of Defense, under the direction of the Adjutant General, and clarifies the position's reporting structure and duties. Requires the Commission on Salaries, pursuant to section 26-56, HRS, to include the Deputy Director of Emergency Management in its recommendations for executive branch salary levels. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
|
PSM, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO LEAD MATERIALS IN WATER INFRASTRUCTURE. Amends prohibitions on the use of lead materials in drinking water distribution to align with the Safe Drinking Water Act and related Code of Federal Regulations.
|
HHS, WAM |
|
|
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. Makes conforming amends. (SD1)
|
HHS/CPN, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO INDEPENDENT AUDITS OF DEPOSIT BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTORS. Limits the independent audit requirement under the State's Deposit Beverage Container Program to deposit beverage distributors who distribute 5,000,000 or more deposit beverage containers a year. Identifies frequency of obtaining and submitting independent audits based on quantities of deposit beverage containers imported, manufactured, or distributed. Creates minimum requirements for independent audits. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)
|
HHS, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE STATE HEALTH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY. Amends the functions and responsibilities of the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Adds a new definition of "health care" for chapter 323D, HRS. Amends the exemption threshold for bed changes to up to thirty per cent of existing licensed bed types. Exempts the Department of Health from certificate of need requirements. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)
|
HHS, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO HARBOR SAFETY. Repeals the sunset provisions of part III of chapter 266, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 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.
|
TRS/LBT, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO HOMEMADE FOOD PRODUCTS. Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules to authorize and regulate farm kitchens on the same basis as home kitchens producing homemade food products. (SD1)
|
HHS, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO THE FOOD AND PRODUCT INNOVATION NETWORK. Requires the Food and Product Innovation Network to integrate a coordinated food safety and regulatory framework. Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to establish key performance indicators for the Food and Product Innovation Network, develop a market access strategy, align and harmonize state branding initiatives, and report certain data to the Legislature. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to evaluate or adapt enterprise zone incentives in all counties to better support the Food and Product Innovation Network. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
|
EDT/AEN, WAM |
|
|
RELATING TO EDUCATION. Reestablishes the organizational structure of the Department of Education by repealing complex areas and establishing an unspecified number of districts across the State. Repeals the position of Complex Area Superintendent and establishes the positions of District Superintendent for Academics and Deputy District Superintendents who are required to undergo annual performance evaluations. Clarifies that School Community Councils shall submit principal evaluations to the Superintendent of Education, who shall have final authority to appoint a principal. Requires the Department of Education to adopt rules. Makes conforming amendments. (SD1)
|
EDU, WAM |
|
|
|
|
|
Decision making meeting only, no oral testimony will be accepted.
Persons wishing to submit written testimony may do so up to 24 hours prior to the hearing. Click here to submit written testimony.
All testimony received by the Hawai‘i Senate is posted on the Hawai‘i Legislature's website, which is accessible to the public. Please do not include private information that you do not want disclosed to the public.
For special assistance: The cable TV broadcast and/or live stream of this meeting will include closed captioning. If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, please call the committee clerk at the telephone number listed below or email WAMcommittee@capitol.hawaii.gov. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled.
FOR AMENDED NOTICES: Measures that have been deleted are stricken through and measures that have been added are underscored. If a measure is both underscored and stricken through, that measure has been deleted from the agenda.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT (808)586-6800.
|
|
|
_____________________________________ Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz Chair |
|
|
|
|