OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER
THIRTY-THIRD STATE LEGISLATURE
COMMITTEE REFERRALS
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NO. 5
6th LEGISLATIVE DAY-JANUARY 30, 2026
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Committee Abbreviations:
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AGR - Agriculture & Food Systems |
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CAA - Culture & Arts |
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CPC - Consumer Protection & Commerce |
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ECD - Economic Development & Technology |
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EDN - Education |
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EEP - Energy & Environmental Protection |
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FIN - Finance |
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HED - Higher Education |
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HLT - Health |
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HSG - Housing |
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HSH - Human Services & Homelessness |
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JHA - Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs |
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LAB - Labor |
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LMG - Legislative Management |
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PBS - Public Safety |
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TOU - Tourism |
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TRN - Transportation |
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WAL - Water & Land |
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Committee |
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REFERRAL
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RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION. Designates pricing practices based on surveillance data as unfair or deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition in the conduct of any trade or commerce.
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CPC, JHA |
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RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Part I: Prohibits certain harmful uses of and mandates disclosure for realistic digital imitations generated by artificial intelligence (AI). Establishes certain exemptions. Provides for civil actions and civil remedies for individuals injured by unauthorized AI-generated realistic digital imitations. Part II: Requires the disclosure of the use of synthetic performers in advertising. Establishes civil fines.
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ECD, CPC, JHA |
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RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Establishes a Hilo-Kona transportation pilot program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study, plan, evaluate, implement, and trial transportation routes and services connecting Hilo and Kona.
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ECD, TRN, FIN |
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RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES. Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to conduct a study on effective treatment methods to reduce populations of the Queensland Longhorn Beetle.
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AGR, HED, FIN |
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RELATING TO ESSENTIAL PERMITTING POSITIONS. Establishes a pilot program to improve the speed, accountability, and quality of permit processing through targeted staffing, performance incentives, and interdepartmental competition within participating counties. Authorizes a mayor to designate any number of positions as essential permitting positions across departments involved in permit review, permit processing, or both. Authorizes the payment of a minimum differential payment to assist in employee recruitment and retention. Authorizes the hiring of essential permitting positions at salaries above the minimum salary within the approved salary range. Requires personnel departments to prioritize the hiring of individuals into essential permitting positions over other positions. Authorizes counties to use revenues from the county surcharge on state tax pursuant to pay for pilot program expenses. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031.
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ECD, LAB, FIN |
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RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES. Increases the number of enterprise zones that may be nominated by each county. Authorizes enterprise zone designation for census tracts that contain the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Allow businesses not established in an enterprise zone to qualify for enterprise zone benefits; provided that they have entered into a binding collaboration or contract with a business that is established in the census tract that contains the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine or the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
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HED, ECD, FIN |
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RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FOURTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT. Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects in the fourth representative district.
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FIN |
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RELATING TO HEALTH CARE. Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as "Hawaii Care", to provide comprehensive health care benefits to all state residents and eventually replace all existing health care plans in the State. Designates the Hawaii Health Authority as the responsible agency for the comprehensive planning, implementation, and administration of Hawaii Care. Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop and submit a comprehensive implementation and administration plan to the legislature by a certain date. Establishes the Hawaii Care special fund. Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to adopt rules and submit reports to the Legislature. Requires the Governor to appoint members to the Hawaii Health Authority by 12/31/2026. Requires the Department of Human Services to apply for necessary federal waivers. Takes effect 180 days after the approval of the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan and necessary federal waivers. Appropriates funds.
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HLT/HSH, CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO MEDICAID. Prohibits a financial risk-bearing entity from administering Medicaid services. Requires the Department of Human Services to contract with one or more administrative services organizations to perform non-risk administrative functions for the operation of the State's Medicaid program. Requires the Department to establish a Medicaid Care Coordination Program to contract with community-based programs to provide care coordination services. Requires physicians, other independent practitioners, hospitals, and other institutional providers to be paid or reimbursed directly by the State's medicaid agency. Requires the Department to establish regional health hubs in each county to serve as localized oversight bodies. Requires the Department to convene a Medicaid Stakeholder Advisory Group to support continuous improvement throughout the transition period. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriate funds.
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HSH/HLT, CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO INSURANCE COVERAGE OF PROTON BEAM THERAPY. Beginning, 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for medically necessary proton beam therapy for cancer treatment and prohibits imposing stricter clinical evidence standards on proton beam therapy than on other radiation treatments.
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HLT, CPC |
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RELATING TO SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES. Establishes the sugar-sweetened beverage fee program. Beginning 7/1/2027, imposes a 2 cent per fluid ounce fee on all sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the State and requires all distributors of sugar-sweetened beverages to register with the Department of Health. On or after 6/30/27, prohibits retailers from selling or displaying for sale any sugar-sweetened beverage acquired from a distributor that is not registered with the Department of Health. Requires management and performance audits. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes the Healthy Ohana Advisory Committee. Appropriates funds.
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HLT, CPC/JHA, FIN |
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PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES VIII AND X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE ON RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION. Proposes amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution to repeal the counties' exclusive power to tax real property, and to authorize the Legislature to establish a state surcharge on real property taxes levied by the counties on certain residential investment properties, for the purpose of helping to fund public education for all of Hawaii's children and adults.
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EDN, JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO THE ESTATE AND GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX. Establishes an unrealized gains surcharge on certain property transfers subject to the estate and generation-skipping transfer tax. Except for certain types of properties within estates, lowers the applicable exclusion amount allowed.
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FIN |
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RELATING TO TAX HAVEN ABUSE. Part I: Effective 1/1/2027, requires corporations to include in their income the income of all foreign subsidiaries to the State; applies the State's apportionment formula to determine the share of reported profits subject to the appropriate tax, which shall be deposited into the state general fund; and requires corporations to report all profits, losses, revenues, and inter-company transactions made and all taxes paid in other states. Part II: Establishes within DOTAX a Corporate Tax Law Task Force to annually review the State's corporate tax laws and recommend updates to close tax loopholes.
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ECD, FIN |
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RELATING TO TAXATION. Disallows the dividends paid deduction for real estate investment trusts.
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ECD, CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO BUILDING MATERIALS. Recognizes hempcrete as an allowable non-structural building material under state law. Clarifies that no state or county building code shall prohibit the use of hempcrete. Provides the authority for building officials to approve hempcrete construction that meets applicable safety and performance standards.
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WAL, JHA |
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RELATING TO DOG ATTACKS. Clarifies owner liability and increases penalties and enforcement mechanisms for dog attacks on livestock.
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AGR, JHA |
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RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. Establishes, and appropriates funds for, the Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program to provide law enforcement officers retention bonuses.
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JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY. Establishes a framework for the use of intelligent speed assistance technology for habitual speeders. Requires a report to the Legislature.
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TRN, JHA |
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RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to revitalize and enhance the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds.
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AGR, FIN |
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RELATING TO TAXATION. Increases the filing thresholds for the General Excise Tax and Transient Accommodations Tax.
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TOU/ECD, FIN |
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RELATING TO COMPLEX PATIENT TREATMENT. Appropriates funds to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health to contract with community-based organizations for a behavioral health complex patient model. Requires a report to the Legislature.
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HLT, FIN |
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RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII. Requires the UH system to collect, maintain, and publish standardized program-level data for each academic program offered. Requires maintenance of an online dashboard with program-level data. Requires an annual report.
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HED, FIN |
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RELATING TO HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. Establishes positions and appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to support health care workforce development in the State.
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HED, HLT, FIN |
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RELATING TO CANCER. Repeals the requirement that a certain amount received from the cigarette tax on the wholesale price of each article or item of certain tobacco products deposited into the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund must be used for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.
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HLT, HED, FIN |
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RELATING TO PHARMACY. Establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts. Establishes the pharmacist workforce assessment fee. Appropriates funds.
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HED, CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS. Requires a condominium association to deposit at least ten per cent of all revenues for each fiscal year, except for estimated replacement reserve assessments, into the total replacement reserves fund of the association. Requires the Real Estate Commission to enforce the minimum deposit requirement and allows unit owners to file complaints with the Commission. Holds board members who fail to comply with the minimum deposit requirement personally liable and subject to a fine.
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CPC, JHA |
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RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS. Requires the driver of a vehicle to stop for a pedestrian who is crossing the roadway within a crosswalk and not to proceed until the pedestrian has completely exited the crosswalk and the driver can safely proceed.
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TRN, JHA |
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RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION. Defines compounded prescription drugs for the purposes of workers' compensation law.
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LAB, CPC |
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RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW. Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, removes the two-year limitation on the recoupment of overpayments. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to assess and collect a service charge for dishonored unemployment insurance assessments. Beginning 4/1/2027, specifies that employers must report separation and wage information within five calendar days of notice being sent, whether by mail or electronic notification. Beginning 4/1/2027, increases the penalty for failure to report separations or wages and for failure to file or for filing insufficient, quarterly wage reports.
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LAB, CPC |
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RELATING TO IMMUNIZATIONS. Requires, rather than authorizes, schools to provide an exemption from required immunizations. Specifies that for purposes of the Department of Health's rulemaking authority and authority regarding infectious and communicable diseases, no child shall be subjected to medical examination, vaccination, revaccination, or immunization if a parent or legal guardian objects based on bona fide religious tenets and practices.
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HLT, EDN, JHA |
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RELATING TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS. Requires the Office of Youth Services to establish a two-year Youth Housing Stability Assistance Pilot Program to award funds to certain nonprofit organizations and government agencies to support eligible youth with financial assistance. Appropriates funds.
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HSH, FIN |
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RELATING TO THE EDUCATION OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. Requires the department of education to establish a program for the support of students experiencing homelessness. Requires the department to designate a coordinator position and navigator positions to implement the program.
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EDN, HSH, FIN |
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RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. Authorizes and appropriates moneys for the Board of Psychology to grant prescriptive authority privilege to clinical psychologists who meet specific education, training, and registration requirements. Requires the Board of Psychology to accept applications for prescriptive authority privilege beginning 7/1/2027. Requires reports to the Legislature.
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HLT, CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO FIREARMS. Establishes mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for certain class A felonies involving firearms. Changes from a class B felony to a class A felony the penalty for owning, possessing, or controlling any firearm or ammunition while being prosecuted for or having been convicted of committing a felony, a crime of violence, a criminal offense relating to firearms, or an illegal sale or distribution of any drug. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class A felony the penalty for ownership, possession, control, or transfer of ownership of any firearms or ammunition by a person who a court order has restrained from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing any person. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class A felony the penalty for carrying a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance. Establishes possession of methamphetamine while carrying a firearm as a class A felony.
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JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII. Authorizes the University of Hawaii to engage in enterprise-related activities for educational purposes.
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HED, WAL, FIN |
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RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRANTS. Establishes a 5-year pilot program to authorize the Department of Education to rehire retired teachers and educational officers for hard-to-staff positions.
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EDN, LAB, FIN |
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RELATING TO AMBULANCES. Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase of one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State.
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HLT, FIN |
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RELATING TO TAXATION. Repeals the sunset date of Act 163, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023.
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HSH, ECD, FIN |
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RELATING TO ENERGY ASSISTANCE. Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist eligible households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide certain information and assistance to recipients of the program. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds.
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EEP/HSH, CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO FOOD PRICING. Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on how other states regulate price gouging of food products.
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LMG, FIN |
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RELATING TO COUNTIES. Requires a county with a population of 500,000 or more to adopt ordinances to implement park maintenance standard prioritization. Imposes a fine for incompliant parks after three months. Authorizes DLNR to take action and be reimbursed by the county for costs incurred. Appropriates funds.
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WAL, JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO SCHOOLS. Requires public schools with elementary students to allow faculty and staff to provide time and space each day for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and Hawaii Ponoi.
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EDN, JHA |
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RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. Requires the Department of Education to develop and administer a Traffic Safety Program. Expands the Department of Education's Traffic Safety Education program to include electric bicycles.
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EDN, TRN, FIN |
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RELATING TO VOTING BOARDS. Requires LRB to conduct a feasibility study associated with the implementation of an electronic voting board in both chambers of the legislature and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature.
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LMG, FIN |
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RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY. Requires the Judiciary to develop, implement, and administer an automated court appearance reminder system that generates text message or electronic mail notifications for upcoming court appearances in certain types of cases. Appropriates funds.
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JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE. Requires the Department of Human Services to conduct a study to recommend legislation to address the issue of long-term care facility closures. Requires reporting.
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HSH, FIN |
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RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYST. Requires the office of the 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.
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LMG, FIN |
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RELATING TO LAWMAKER SAFETY. Prohibits the public disclosure of legislators' personal contact information in a voter's affidavit of registration, nomination papers, and electronic database for campaign committees.
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LMG, JHA |
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RELATING TO SPORTS OFFICIALS. Authorizes the Attorney General to represent sports officials in civil proceedings if the sports official has been assaulted or threatened in the course of legally discharging their sports official duties. Makes intentional bodily injury of a sports official engaged in the lawful discharge of the sports official's duties a class B felony. Clarifies that a sports official includes a school or league administrator. Clarifies that a sports official's duties cover sports events at public schools and private schools.
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EDN, JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY. Clarifies driver's obligations at crosswalks. Requires drivers to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks. Strengthens penalties for traffic violations, particularly in school zones. Creates additional criminal penalties when pedestrians suffer bodily injury. Provides heightened protections for blind and visually impaired pedestrians.
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TRN, JHA |
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RELATING TO HEALTH CARE. Prohibits health care facilities, health care providers, and emergency medical services from furnishing medical debt to a consumer credit reporting agency. Prohibits consumer credit reporting agencies from reporting or maintaining medical debt information in the file on a consumer.
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HLT, CPC |
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RELATING TO HOUSING. Beginning 11/1/2026, requires landlords to accept comprehensive reusable tenant screening reports, if made available by an applicant, and prohibits application fees in such case.
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CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FUNDING. Requires the Department of Education to submit annual reports to the Legislature, Governor, and Board of Education disclosing the moneys the Department allocated in the prior year to department schools and department administration.
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EDN, FIN |
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RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS. Requires the Department of Transportation to create and maintain an electronic dashboard on its website disclosing the costs, status, and expected timeline for completion of each current construction state project in excess of $1,000,000 involving state roads or highways.
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TRN, FIN |
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RELATING TO CRIME. Doubles the fines and terms of imprisonment for repeat violent offenders and property offenders.
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JHA |
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RELATING TO CRIME. Doubles the fines and terms of imprisonment for illicit drug sellers and distributors who commit their offenses within 100 feet of schools or public parks.
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JHA |
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RELATING TO GOVERNMENT HOMELESSNESS SPENDING. Requires the State Auditor, in collaboration with the Office of the City Auditor for the City and County of Honolulu, to conduct a financial audit of all state and City and County of Honolulu expenditures on homelessness programs within the City and County of Honolulu during the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 fiscal years. Appropriates funds.
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HSH, LMG, FIN |
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RELATING TO LEI. Requires and establishes benchmarks for each state executive agency to ensure that a certain percentage of lei purchased by that executive agency consists of lei made entirely of natural objects and plant materials grown, harvested, and assembled in the State. Establishes labeling requirements for lei and lei materials.
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AGR, CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. Requires the Department of Transportation to assess a per passenger head fee against cruise ships docking in the State's commercial harbors. Establishes the Cruise Ship Special Fund. Repeals existing law imposing the Transient Accommodations Tax on cruise ships, effective retroactive to 1/1/2026.
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TRN, TOU, FIN |
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RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT. Repeals the Deposit Beverage Container program on 6/30/26. Allows redemptions to continue until 6/30/27. Establishes the solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling special fund to assist in the gathering and recycling of solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. Requires the Department of Health to submit proposed legislation establishing a program to gather and recycle solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. Lapses any unencumbered balance remaining in the deposit beverage container deposit special fund when the Deposit Beverage Container program is repealed to the credit of the solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling special fund.
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EEP, FIN |
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RELATING TO PROPERTY. Specifies a process by which property owners may utilize law enforcement officers to remove unauthorized individuals from dwellings. Establishes the criminal offenses of squatting and fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property. Classifies the type of property damage typically inflicted by squatters as a form of criminal property damage in the second degree. Classifies the falsification of documentation typically performed by squatters as a form of unsworn falsification to authorities.
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HSH, JHA |
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RELATING TO PREDICTION MARKETS. Includes prediction markets in the definition of gambling by specifying that the purchase, sale, or financial speculation of securities or commodities on the outcome or future contingent events related to sports, contests, people, politics, catastrophe, and death.
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CPC, JHA |
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RELATING TO HEALTH. Protects the right of bodily autonomy in health care decisions.
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HLT, JHA |
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RELATING TO HOUSING. Prohibits certain entities from purchasing single-family residences in the State of Hawaii. Requires reports and certifications to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes penalties and enforcement authority.
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HSG, CPC, JHA |
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RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES. Increases the number of enterprise zones that may be nominated by each county. Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" to include recycling facilities and film production.
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ECD, FIN |
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RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FORTY-SECOND REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT. Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriated funds for capital improvement projects in the 42nd representative district.
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FIN |
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RELATING TO CREATING A LOCAL HOUSING MARKET. Establishing a Local Housing Market that is tied to Hawaii State resident's incomes and not the global economy. Thus providing housing options that are affordable relative to wages for residents of the State.
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HSG, CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO CONSERVATION BANKING. Authorizes the use of conservation banks for compensatory mitigation in a habitat conservation plan and associated incidental take license. Amends the membership and scope of authority for the Endangered Species Recovery Committee.
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EEP, WAL, FIN |
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RELATING TO EMERGENCY EROSION MITIGATION. Replaces the current statutory prohibition on private shoreline hardening with a policy directing the minimization of these structures. Establishes a clear, time-limited statutory framework for emergency permits within the conservation district, including defined standards for permit duration and extension.
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WAL, JHA |
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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.
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HLT, FIN |
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RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules allowing the sale and distribution of fine mesh nets, including monofilament netting, in the State to protect plants from the coconut rhinoceros beetle.
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AGR, CPC |
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RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY. Establishes and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program under the Department of Human Services to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2027 and 2028.
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HSH, AGR, FIN |
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RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires health insurance carriers to honor a patient's written assignment of benefits to a substance use disorder treatment provider. Prohibits health insurance contracts from including anti-assignment clauses that restrict or invalidate a patient's right to assign benefits. Authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules and take enforcement action to ensure compliance. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to publish an annual summary. Allows providers to bring civil actions to compel payment and obtain injunctive relief, damages, interest, and attorneys' fees for violations. Deems violations to be unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Requires insurers to furnish an explanation of benefits to the assigned provider upon request.
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HLT, CPC, JHA |
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RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM. Requires the Board of Regents to grant a waiver on all tuition for qualifying native Hawaiian and Hawaiian students enrolled within the University of Hawaii System.
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HED, JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY ENABLEMENT. Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist small businesses, including those related to the tourism sector, with technology enablement, including the adoption of artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools. Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to submit a report to the Legislature.
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ECD/TOU, FIN |
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RELATING TO A WORKFORCE BUILDER TAX CREDIT. Establishes an income tax credit for eligible employers who employ qualified interns or apprentices. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in coordination with the Department of Taxation, to report to the Legislature on the tax credit. Appropriates funds.
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LAB, ECD, FIN |
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RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS. Specifies that the driver of a vehicle must wait until a pedestrian has crossed half of the crosswalk plus an additional lane of the roadway before the driver can proceed.
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TRN, JHA |
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RELATING TO TAX CREDITS. Establishes a refundable diaper income tax credit.
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HSH, FIN |
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RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL. Establishes one permanent full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position for the State Building Code Council to support statewide building code coordination, permitting transparency, and modernization initiatives. Requires county reporting on building permitting performance. Requires the State Building Code Council to develop a standardized statewide permitting data system or public dashboard. Requires the development of a state building code modernization and transparency initiative. Requires the State Building Code Council to develop standardized credentials and training requirements for permitting officials. Requires a report. Appropriates funds.
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WAL, FIN |
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RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to package and sell a portion of its agricultural loan portfolio to permitted third parties. Appropriates funds out of the Agricultural Loans Revolving Fund to increase its expenditure ceiling.
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AGR, FIN |
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RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION. Allows applicants for driver's permit, driver's license, or civil identification cards to request a nonapparent disability notation on their permit, license, or identification card.
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TRN, JHA |
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RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES. Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enter into community co-management agreements and establishes qualifications for eligible community co-managers. Authorizes the disposition of public lands by a community co-management agreement.
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WAL, FIN |
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RELATING TO DISCLOSURE OF ATTORNEY-CLIENT AND ATTORNEY WORK-PRODUCT PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS TO THE OMBUDSMAN. Specifies that disclosure of communications by an agency to the ombudsman does not waive any existing attorney-client or attorney work-product privilege pertaining to those communications. Prohibits the ombudsman from disclosing privileged communications to others.
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LMG, JHA |
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RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to establish a Community Action Center in Chinatown. Expenditure contingent upon the City and County of Honolulu providing matching funds. Appropriation.
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ECD, FIN |
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RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a recent criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a recent comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report.
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CPC, FIN |
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RELATING TO CASINO GAMING. Authorizes limited casino gaming in a single location in the City and County of Honolulu. Establishes the Hawaii Gaming Control Commission. Imposes a wagering tax on the monthly gross receipts received from casino gaming. Establishes the State Gaming Fund. Requires the Hawaii Gaming Commission to create and implement a Compulsive Gamblers Program. Exempts the construction of any casino facility from county special assessments and certain special improvement district requirements. Establishes certain civil service exemptions. Appropriates funds with certain conditions.
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ECD, CPC/JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. Permits the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to conduct a review of the effect of a proposed project on lands under its jurisdiction on historical properties and burial sites, subject to certain requirements. Appropriates funds.
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WAL, JHA, FIN |
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RELATING TO MEDICAID. Repeals a provision in Act 4, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, that prohibits the Department of Human Services from taking any action to remove pharmaceutical benefits management from managed care plans that provide health care coverage for Hawaii Medicaid beneficiaries.
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HSH, FIN |
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RELATING TO HEALTH. Prohibits discrimination against a pharmacy or pharmacist with respect to participation, referral, reimbursement of a covered service, or indemnification. Establishes beneficiary cost sharing and deductible requirements for prescription drugs. Establishes minimum rates for which pharmacy benefit managers are to reimburse pharmacies for dispensing prescription drugs. For prescription drug benefit plans executed, amended, adjusted, or renewed on or after 7/1/2027, requires a pharmacy benefit manager to use pass-through pricing, or may alternatively use spread pricing if any savings realized by the pharmacy benefit manager are passed on.
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HLT, CPC |
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RELATING TO INSURANCE. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in the name of the people of the State as parens patriae against any responsible party to recover certain costs or obtain certain relief, including costs and losses incurred by the Hawaii Property Insurance Association, Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or other state entities, resulting from climate attributable harm or costs for risk of future climate attributable harm. Authorizes the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or any private insurer licensed in the State to bring a civil cause of action against a responsible party to recover its costs and losses resulting from climate attributable harm.
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CPC, JHA, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO EVICTION RECORDS. Limits public access to summary possession records on the Judiciary's publicly accessible electronic databases unless and until a writ of possession is issued.
|
CPC, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS. Increases the matching fund payments to candidates in the partial public financing program for excess qualifying contributions.
|
JHA, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO MICROENTERPRISE HOME KITCHENS. Authorizes microenterprise home kitchens to prepare and sell food directly to consumers without food establishment permits or routine inspections, subject to consumer disclosure and basic food safety requirements. Clarifies that microenterprise home kitchens are not food establishments or food processing establishments. Authorizes the Department of Health to conduct investigations on microenterprise home kitchens in response to complaints, foodborne illness outbreaks, and imminent threats to public health.
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HLT, CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO PUBLIC TRUST RESOURCES. Establishes a hierarchy of duty for public trust resources to be applicable to the decisions made by the Department of Land and Natural Resources in the management of the State's public natural resources.
|
WAL, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO ISLAND BURIAL COUNCILS. Transfers the appointment authority for Island Burial Council members from the Governor and Senate to the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
|
WAL, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO CLEAN WATER. Preserves, as state law, water quality, permitting, and aquatic resource protections that are at least as protective as federal Clean Water Act regulations and standards in effect as of January 1, 2026, and ensures their continued applicability regardless of subsequent federal amendments, repeals, or reductions.
|
EEP, WAL, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM-EDUCATION PROGRAM. Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and the Department of Health to continue their implementation of the Hawaii Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education Program.
|
HSH, HED, FIN |
||
|
PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE X OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION. Proposes a constitutional amendment to decentralize the public education system in the State by establishing county school districts for the establishment, operation, and funding of public schools, and to authorize the boards of those school districts to initiate and carry on any programs, activities, or otherwise act in any manner that is not in conflict with any law.
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EDN, JHA, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE MILITARY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE. Appropriates funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the Military Affairs Community Relations Office to strengthen intergovernmental coordination for military and defense activities.
|
PBS, ECD, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. Clarifies State and local authority during a state or local state of emergency. Adds definition of "severe weather warning". Allows the Legislature to terminate a state of emergency and city councils to terminate a local state of emergency.
|
PBS, JHA |
||
|
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. Allows the Department of Human Services to expend funds from the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund.
|
HSH, PBS, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS. Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in Hawaii, to begin with the 2028 general election year. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
|
JHA, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS. Requires board members of a condominium association to complete a board training and education course approved by an accredited third party organization, to be selected by the Real Estate Commission and paid for through funds in the Condominium Education Trust Fund.
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CPC, JHA |
||
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MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE AUDITOR, THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU, THE OMBUDSMAN, AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION. Appropriates funds to provide for the expenses of the Legislature, Auditor, Legislative Reference Bureau, Ombudsman, and Ethics Commission.
|
FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY. Amends the renewable energy technologies income tax credit by beginning 12/31/26, prohibiting individually or jointly filing taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of $250,000 or greater from claiming a credit for certain solar energy systems installed and placed in service on a single-family residential property, with certain exemptions; removing certain cap amounts for solar energy systems; and increasing the adjusted gross income requirements for an individual taxpayer to elect to have any excess credits refunded.
|
EEP, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a streamlined grid-ready homes interconnection process. Authorizes the use of the Hawaii electricity reliability surcharge for cost recovery of certain expenses of the Hawaii Electricity Reliability Administrator associated with the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Requires a report to the PUC on the grid-ready homes interconnection process. Effective 1/1/2027.
|
EEP, CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO ELECTRIC ENERGY. Requires all electric utilities to provide transparent customer bill impact analyses that are accessible to the public in an electronic format reasonably usable by ratepayers. Establishes requirements for bill impact analyses. Requires electric utilities to submit annual reports to the Public Utilities Commission.
|
EEP, CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION. Clarifies that, for electric utilities, "performance-based incentives" include revenue adjustment mechanisms, cost control mechanisms, rewards for superior performance, and penalties for subpar performance. Confirms that the Public Utilities Commission may adopt alternative ratemaking procedures to establish electric utility rates and performance-based incentives. Requires the 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.
|
EEP, CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT. Beginning 7/1/2027, requires newly installed or modified individual wastewater systems that are near the shoreline or on highly porous soils to include denitrification capacity. Requires the Department of Health to provide appropriate reductions in requirements to leach fields and wastewater systems with denitrification capacity.
|
EEP, WAL, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL GRANT ADMINISTRATION. Creates an agricultural grant program and revolving fund for the purposes of grant application, execution, reporting and auditing to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Effective July 1, 2026.
|
AGR, FIN |
||
|
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.
|
WAL, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO PROCUREMENT. Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score, except the summary of scores, during a debriefing requested by a non-selected offeror. Authorizes the disclosure of a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score after a protest is resolved and the contract is executed.
|
FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO CIVIL SERVICE EXEMPT POSITIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES. Permanently exempts certain positions within the Public Works Division, Special Project Branch, and the Comptroller's Office within the Department of Accounting and General Services from state civil service law.
|
LAB, FIN |
||
|
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE, ITS OFFICERS, OR ITS EMPLOYEES. Makes appropriations and approves payments for claims against the State, its officers, and its employees.
|
JHA, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC HEALTH AND MORALS. Clarifies and updates the sex trafficking and promoting prostitution criminal offense statutes by refining the definition of "profits from prostitution," establishing an affirmative defense to these offenses for certain lawful transactions, and making technical and other housekeeping amendments.
|
JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO THEFT. Requires a mandatory twelve-month minimum sentence of incarceration for a conviction of theft in the first degree when the value of the property or services stolen exceeds $250,000, whether imposed as a mandatory minimum sentence for an indeterminate term of imprisonment or as a condition of probation, in addition to any other authorized disposition such as restitution or a fine.
|
JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO THE RETENTION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE. Specifies the types of cases in which evidence must be retained post-conviction and the process by which evidence may be disposed of earlier than the standard period of retention, which includes a procedure for defendants to oppose the disposal of biological evidence by filing an objection with the court.
|
JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO COURT-ORDERED PAYMENTS. Requires the Judiciary to contract with a collection agency or licensed attorney to collect delinquent court-ordered fees, fines, sanctions, and court costs. Allows courts to specify a period of time or installments for payment of fines, fees, and restitution, and requires the defendant to show cause if the defendant defaults on the payments.
|
JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. Permanently exempts specified positions of the Department of the Attorney General and its administratively attached Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission from civil service (chapter 76, HRS) and, for certain positions where the exemption from collective bargaining under chapter 89, HRS, may be unclear, to expressly provide the exemption. Makes housekeeping amendments to section 28-10.5(b), HRS.
|
LAB, JHA, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO TOBACCO ENFORCEMENT. Updates tobacco enforcement laws to confirm the authority of the Department of Taxation and the Department of the Attorney General to inspect and seize tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices and e-liquids, and clarify that untaxed tobacco products are subject to forfeiture as contraband, without regard to the procedures set forth in chapter 712A, HRS, in the same manner as untaxed cigarettes.
|
JHA, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO HEALTH CARE. Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace existing chapters related to advance health care directives and advance mental health care directives.
|
HLT, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION. Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Clarifies the scope of treatment allowable under orders for assisted community treatment. Requires the Department of the Attorney general to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of any request for a court or administrative order authorizing treatment over the objection of certain patients.
|
HLT, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO PERSONNEL. Updates state position titles by changing "private secretary" to "executive assistant" and "secretary" to "administrative assistant," where applicable.
|
LAB |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications. Repeals the sunset date for Act 92, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023.
|
HSG, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND. Clarifies the Rental Housing Revolving Fund statute by defining "mixed-income rental projects" to establish consistent eligibility and use of appropriations for mixed-income rental housing projects. Clarifies that mixed-income rental projects are primarily for households at or below one-hundred-forty per cent of the area median income, allowing participation by higher-income households. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to transfer funds between the Rental Housing Revolving Fund into the mixed-income subaccount to support eligible mixed-income projects, without legislative approval. Repeals the sunset date in Act 159, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, thereby making these provisions permanent. Requires a report to the Legislature.
|
HSG, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE THE POTENTIAL OF UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESOURCES STATEWIDE. Establishes the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of underground energy resources through the use of slim-hole bores and requires a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Requires a report to the legislature. Appropriates funds.
|
EEP, WAL, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO MILITARY FAMILIES. Authorizes an eligible employee to take family leave for a qualifying military exigency under state law.
|
PBS, LAB, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO PROTECTIVE ORDERS. Requires notification to the security forces of each branch of the military when a protective order is issued in a case involving a military-affiliated individual.
|
PBS, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. Expands the allowable uses of Hawaii Technology Development Corporation grant funds to include providing grants to applicants for qualifying federal research and development awards and matching funds for recipients of those awards and related contracts.
|
ECD, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAII FILM STUDIO. Provides an exemption to dispositions of lands set aside for film studio and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources pursuant to section 171-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, thus streamlining the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's use of the Hawaii film studio for filming activity and other film-related business in order to more efficiently develop Hawaii's film, media, and creative industries.
|
ECD, WAL, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAII FILM AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL FUND. Expands the funding sources of the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund to include reveneues received by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from managing the Hawaii Film Studio.
|
ECD, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO FILM PRODUCTION. Adds the marketing and promotion of film production as a power of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.
|
TOU, ECD, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE MOTION PICTURE, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND FILM PRODUCTION INCOME TAX CREDIT. Increases the qualified production credit from twenty-two per cent to twenty-seven per cent in any county of the State with a population of over seven hundred thousand and twenty-seven per cent to thirty-two per cent in any county of the State with a population of less than seven hundred thousand. Lifts the per production cap of $17,000,000 for productions with qualified expenditures of $60,000,000 per project. Increases the annual cap to $60,000,000 from $50,000,000 for the total amount of the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit allowed under section 235-17, HRS, and extends the sunset date of the tax credit to January 1, 2038. Clarifies and amends the requirement for an independent third-party certification and expands the definition of "qualified production" to include streaming platforms for the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit. Includes a definition of "streaming platform".
|
ECD, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE DOWNPAYMENT LOAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. Amends the Downpayment Loan Program, administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, to align with federal requirements and enhance assistance for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers.
|
HSG, FIN |
||
|
MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS. Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Units (1) and (10) and their excluded counterparts to resolve issues related to temporary hazard pay for fiscal year 2025-2026.
|
LAB, FIN |
||
|
MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS. Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (11) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027.
|
LAB, FIN |
||
|
MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS. Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027.
|
LAB, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS. Appropriates general funds to various programs due to anticipated operating shortfalls because of the lack of authority to transfer funds between programs.
|
FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS. Appropriates general funds to various programs due to anticipated operating shortfalls because of the lack of authority to transfer funds between programs.
|
FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND INVESTMENT OFFICE STAFF SALARIES. Enables the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to establish appropriate salaries for the investment office staff of the Trust Fund.
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LAB, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM'S EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS FOR NORMAL COST AND ACCRUED LIABILITY. Increases employer contributions for normal cost and accrued liability for a specified group of employees to ensure the unfunded accrued liability of the Employees' Retirement System of the State of Hawaii does not exceed the maximum funding period.
|
LAB, FIN |
||
|
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.
|
LAB, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT ORDERS. Amends section 831-3.2, HRS, to reflect that a person who is arrested for or charged with a crime but convicted of a violation is eligible for an expungement of their arrest record for that incident.
|
JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY AND BUDGET RESERVE FUND. Appropriates moneys out of the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to maintain the levels of programs determined to be essential to education, public health, and public welfare, to provide for counter cyclical economic and employment programs of economic downturn, to restore facilities destroyed or damaged or services disrupted by disaster, and to meet other emergencies declared by the governor or determined to be urgent by the legislature.
|
FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO GOVERNMENT. Short form bill.
|
FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO INSURANCE. Amends various provisions of the Insurance Code to update and improve existing provisions. Clarifies grounds for denial, suspension, and revocation of an adjuster and bill reviewer license. Clarifies procedures for denying, suspending, and revoking an insurance producer license. Amends the notice requirements for cancellation or nonrenewal of an insurance policy. Requires insurers to provide explanation of premium increases upon request. Amends the definition of unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices.
|
CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO PORT PILOTAGE. Clarifies the consulting role and responsibilities of the Department of Transportation in the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' development and implementation of pilot licensure standards, requirements, and criteria.
|
TRN, CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO ENERGY ASSISTANCE. Establishes the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program within the Department of Human Services to assist qualifying households in paying their energy bills. Requires the Public Utilities Commission Public Benefits Fee Administrator to provide certain information and assistance to recipients of the program.
|
EEP/HSH, CPC, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT. Allows the Governor to enter the State into the multistate Nurse Licensure Compact, which will allow a nurse who is licensed by a home state to practice under a multistate licensure privilege in each party state, effective 1/1/2027. Beginning 1/1/2027, allows the State Board of Nursing to charge different fees for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold a multistate license issued by the State. Appropriates general revenues.
|
HLT/LAB, CPC, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT LICENSURE COMPACT. Authorizes the Governor to enter the PA Licensure Compact to create a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing authority of the state medical board and provides a streamlined process that allows a PA to become licensed in multiple states, thereby enhancing the portability of a PA license and ensuring the safety of patients.
|
HLT/LAB, CPC, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO PEER SUPPORT COUNSELING. Includes correctional workers as protected participants in peer support counseling sessions, giving them the same confidentiality protections provided to law enforcement officers and emergency services personnel.
|
PBS, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO PAROLE ELIGIBILITY. Amends section 353-64, HRS, to include participation in correctional programs for parole eligibility: (1) treatment (substance abuse, mental health, sex offender); (2) work furlough as part of vocational education; and (3) other programs designed to assist the committed person with successful reintegration back into the community; all of which are in the scope of programs determined by Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Receiving and Diagnostic (RAD) assessments and recommended for parole eligibility.
|
PBS, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO THE EXPENDITURE CEILING ON THE AUTOMATED VICTIM INFORMATION AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM SPECIAL FUND. Removes the $600,000 annual expenditure ceiling on the Automated Victim Information and Notification System Special Fund to address rising program costs and growing victim service demands.
|
JHA, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. Establishes the Administrator of the Hawai`i 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.
|
PBS, LAB, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD. Clarifies that employees of the Hawaii National Guard youth and adult educational programs are excluded from collective bargaining. Renames the "Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Program" to the "Hawaii National Guard Civil-Military Program" and codifies its Hawaiian name, "Nā Kula Alaka`i."
|
PBS, LAB, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. Authorizes the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to convert temporary special project positions created for Federal Emergency Management Agency funded disaster recovery operations into permanent positions exempt from civil service, subject to certain limitations.
|
PBS, LAB, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HARM TO STUDENTS REGISTRY. Clarifies the scope of the Department of Education's harm-to-students registry by providing that contractors and volunteers are included only if their roles involves close contact with students, and by excluding K-12 students.
|
EDN, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL LAND TRANSFER. Amends section 2 of Act 307, SLH 2022, to revise tax map key numbers and the conveyance process by which identified properties are to be conveyed to the Department of Education pursuant to Act 307.
|
EDN, WAL, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING. Raises the ceiling for the prevailing wages exemption on public works construction projects from $2,000 to $5,000 for governmental contracting agencies. Creates exemption to contractors licensing laws for public works construction projects valued up to $5,000 for governmental contracting agencies.
|
LAB, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS. Reduces the minimum revenue requirement that the Department of Education must recover through school meal charges in department schools.
|
EDN, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO EDUCATION. Updates Hawaii's statutory framework for adult and community education programs to ensure alignment with federal funding requirements and current best practices in those programs.
|
EDN, FIN |
||
|
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.
|
EDN, PBS, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE INTERSTATE COMPACT ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR MILITARY CHILDREN. Updates references to the United States Code in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
|
EDN, PBS, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROCUREMENT. Adjusts the applicability of Act 134, SLH 2025, to clarify the threshold for Department of Education procurement of local edible produce and packaged food products. Sunsets 6/30/2028.
|
EDN, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO SCHOOL LICENSURE. Transfers the licensing authority of private trade, vocational, and technical schools from the Department of Education to the University of Hawaii.
|
EDN, HED, CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO EDUCATION. Short form bill relating to education.
|
EDN |
||
|
RELATING TO PHYSICAL EDUCATION ASSESSMENTS. Requires the Board of Education to update content and performance standards to reinstate the Presidential Fitness Test.
|
EDN, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO PRIVATE SUPPORT OF EDUCATION. Clarifies that free tuition at private educational institutions are to be considered conditional gifts that support educational advancements rather than contractual obligations.
|
EDN, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO PHYSICIAN CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION. Requires nutrition and metabolic education as part of the physician continuing medical education requirements.
|
HLT, CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO INCOME TAX. Repeals future adjustments to the standard deduction and income tax brackets. Increases the applicable percentage of the employment-related expenses for which the child and dependent care tax credit may be claimed; provides for a disallowance period when there is a final administrative or judicial decision finding that the claim was due to fraud or disallowing the credit; and defines "adjusted gross income" for purposes of the child and dependent care tax credit as adjusted gross income as defined by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Extends the sunset for amendments made by Act 163, SLH 2023 to the child and dependent care tax credit, earned income tax credit, and food/excise tax credit.
|
FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. Allows the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to assume historic preservation review of the effect of any proposed project for lands under its jurisdiction except for projects affecting properties listed or nominated for inclusion in the Hawaii register of historic places or the national register of historic places.
|
WAL, JHA, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920, AS AMENDED. Increases the limit of the State's liability for moneys borrowed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands or loans made to lessees that are guaranteed by the Department from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000.
|
JHA, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920. Amends sections 208 and 209(a) of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, to include nieces and nephews who are at least one-quarter Native Hawaiian as qualifying relatives of lessees for the purposes of lease transfer and lease successorship.
|
JHA, FIN |
||
|
MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES. Provides an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services to replace general fund appropriations redirected to provide emergency food assistance during the 2025 federal government shutdown.
|
HSH, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO HEALTH CARE. Short form bill relating to health care.
|
HLT |
||
|
RELATING TO SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE. Requires hospitals with emergency departments that are licensed in Hawaii to submit syndromic surveillance data to the Department of Health. Authorizes the Department of Health, as needed, to establish by administrative rules a syndromic surveillance system under state jurisdiction that is independent of federal systems.
|
HLT, CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO PREVENTIVE MEDICINE. Establishes the Hawaii Preventive Services Advisory Committee and authorizes the Department of Health to issue preventive service recommendations. Requires health insurance coverage without cost-sharing for Department of Health-recommended clinical preventive services. Provides immunity for healthcare providers' and facilities' provision of recommended clinical preventive services.
|
HLT, CPC, JHA |
||
|
RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEMS OF CARE. Modernizes Hawaii's emergency medical services statutes to align with current best practices.
|
HLT, CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO STATE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Authorizes the Department of Health to establish a vacation payout pilot project in which eligible Department of Health employees may defer unused vacation leave credits in favor of a pay out to provide home purchase down payment assistance. Report required. Sunsets June 30, 2029.
|
HLT, LAB, FIN |
||
|
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.
|
EEP, JHA |
||
|
|
|
Committee |
|
|
|
|
RE-REFERRAL
|
|
|
RELATING TO LIABILITY. Provides certain liability protections for foster care agencies that are under contract with the State to provide foster care services to children in foster care. Requires contracts between foster care agencies and the State to include a state indemnification clause and requires foster care agencies to name the State as an additional insured. Prohibits punitive damages and pre- and post-judgment interest for foster care agencies. Requires actions against foster care agencies to be tried by the court, except in certain circumstances. Removes joint and several liability for foster care agencies. Specifies that no bond shall be required from a foster care agency on appeal.
|
HSH, JHA, CPC |
||
|
RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS. Establishes a Wastewater Technical Advisory Group to assist the Department of Health in a review of the Department's administrative rules and practices regarding wastewater systems and cesspools and in the development of proposed changes to make cesspool conversions more affordable. Requires report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for positions and hiring of a consultant to assist the Wastewater Technical Advisory Group.
|
EEP, FIN |
||
|
RELATING TO ZONING. Prohibits the counties from imposing certain lot requirements and dwelling specifications for parcels of land located within the urban district for purposes of subdivision, development, or the issuance of a building permit, with certain exemptions. Allows the counties to establish a petition process for neighborhoods, subdivisions, or other geographically contiguous areas to establish or retain certain requirements or specifications.
|
HSG, WAL, JHA |
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RELATING TO TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT. Prohibits the counties from enacting an ordinance, rule, regulation, development standard, zoning provision, or other land use control that restricts the development of transit-supportive densities in county-designated transit-oriented development zones and transit-oriented development infrastructure improvement program areas.
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HSG, WAL, JHA |
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RELATING TO EDUCATOR STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT. Establishes the Educator Student Loan Repayment Program to provide for the repayment of qualified student loans for certain educators in the State. Appropriates funds.
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EDN/HED, FIN |
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MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE COUNTY OF HAWAII. Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the County of Hawaii to provide grants for the contracting of a private water company for the facilitation and installation of fire hydrants.
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WAL, FIN |
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RELATING TO HEALTH CARE. Expands the protections established under Act 2, SLH 2023, to include gender-affirming health care services, including clarifying permitted disclosures of protected health information to address changes in federal regulations. Establishes protections against abusive litigation. Prohibits medical malpractice insurers and health carriers from taking certain adverse actions against health care providers solely on the basis that the health care provider provides lawful reproductive health care services or gender-affirming care services.
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HLT/CPC, JHA |
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RELATING TO DISCRIMINATION. Prohibits discrimination based on: (1) The perception that a person possesses certain characteristics; (2) The perception that a person is associated with a person who possesses, or is perceived to possess, certain characteristics; or (3) The intersection or combination of two or more specified characteristics in relation to a person.
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LAB, JHA |
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RELATING TO CESSPOOLS. Allows an existing cesspool that lawfully serves a single dwelling unit in a priority level 3 area to continue serving that dwelling unit and additional bedrooms constructed on the same parcel, subject to certain conditions. Authorizes the Department of Health to adopt rules and authorizes the restriction of additional bedrooms where continued cesspool use impacts water quality or human health.
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EEP, JHA |
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RELATING TO THE GREEN FEE. Establishes the Green Fee Transparency and Accountability Program and Green Fee Resiliency Impact Dashboard, to be administered by the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Appropriates funds.
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EEP/TOU, FIN |
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RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the design of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide that at least twenty-five per cent of parking stalls be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.
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EEP, FIN |
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RELATING TO CESSPOOLS. PART II: Allows certain extensions of the deadline for cesspool conversions. PART III: Authorizes and appropriates funds to the Department of Health to retain qualified consultants as necessary to identify necessary public outreach and education resources and tools and develop a comprehensive public outreach strategy and website to educate homeowners and wastewater industry professionals about information and resources regarding the State's cesspool upgrade, conversion, and connection requirements and deadlines.
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EEP, FIN |
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RELATING TO CESSPOOLS. Reestablishes the cesspool upgrade, conversion, or connection income tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026.
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EEP, FIN |
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