Hawaii Congressional Bills

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HRES 1061: Recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year in 2026.

HRES 1061 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year in 2026. It does not create new laws or policies, but formally acknowledges Lunar New Year's origins (over 4,000 years in China), its celebration as Seollal in Korea and Tết in Vietnam, and its observance by millions of Asian Americans and others in the U.S. The resolution expresses respect for Asian Americans and extends holiday wishes for a "happy and prosperous new year" during the Year of the Horse. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on any individuals or groups.

Grace Meng (D) · 56 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3876: SPARK Act

The SPARK Act establishes the Spark Program to support underserved small businesses by providing grants to eligible organizations like incubators, accelerators, and community development financial institutions. It directly affects minority-owned businesses (which face twice the denial rate for financing), women-owned businesses, rural businesses, and businesses in economically distressed areas by offering free mentorship, counseling, and access to capital. The program requires participating organizations to provide 5-year services with no fees for businesses and track metrics including jobs created, capital accessed, and business growth. It also creates a Spark Financing Program that provides grants up to $20,000 and low-interest loans to covered small businesses. Annual reports will track outcomes including demographic breakdowns of participants and business retention rates.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3869: Healthy Families Act

The Healthy Families Act would require most private employers and certain government entities to provide employees with earned paid sick time, allowing workers to take up to 56 hours per year for their own health needs, caring for family members, or addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Employees would earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, with the ability to use it for medical appointments, caring for family members with health needs, or seeking safety from violence. The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who use this time and requires employers to post clear notices about the policy. It applies to most private employers, with specific provisions for government entities like the Library of Congress and Government Accountability Office.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Bernard Sanders (I) · 35 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3875: Responsible Firearms Marketing Act

This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study firearm advertising and marketing for unfair or deceptive practices, such as ads targeting people under 18, implying illegal use, or promoting semiautomatic assault weapons. Within two years, the FTC must report findings to Congress and then create regulations to ban these practices within 18 months of the report. These regulations would apply to firearm manufacturers, dealers, and importers, prohibiting specific deceptive marketing tactics. Violations would be enforced under existing FTC authority, with penalties matching current unfair business practice violations.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3865: BE HEARD in the Workplace Act

# Summary of Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Legislation This comprehensive bill expands protections against workplace discrimination and harassment while strengthening enforcement mechanisms for workers. Key provisions include: 1. **Expanded Protections (Section 301)**: - Extends anti-discrimination protections to independent contractors, interns, fellows, volunteers, and trainees under major civil rights laws - Creates "covered establishment" definition for entities engaging these workers 2. **Nondisclosure/Nondisparagement Clause Ban (Section 302)**: - Prohibits employers from requiring workers to sign nondisclosure or nondisparagement clauses covering harassment or discrimination - Establishes strict requirements for settlement agreements (including 21-day consideration period, 7-day revocation period, and clear written disclosure) - Protects workers' right to report harassment to the EEOC without penalty 3. **Arbitration Restrictions (Section 303)**: - Bans mandatory pre-dispute arbitration agreements that prevent class or collective actions - Establishes new requirements for post-dispute arbitration agreements - Allows workers to sue employers who violate these provisions 4. **Federal Contractor Compliance (Section 304)**: - Requires federal contractors to disclose past violations of labor and civil rights laws - Establishes Labor Compliance Advisors at executive agencies - Creates a system for monitoring contractor compliance with labor laws 5. **Grant Programs (Sections 401-436)**: - Creates national grants to prevent and address employment discrimination - Establishes grants for legal assistance for low-income workers facing discrimination - Creates a system of state advocacy for workers' rights through state-level systems The bill aims to strengthen worker protections against discrimination and harassment while expanding access to legal remedies and creating new mechanisms for enforcement and prevention. It also includes provisions to ensure federal contractors comply with labor and civil rights laws and establishes new reporting requirements for contractors with past violations.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Patty Murray (D) · 20 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 7535: Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026

This bill requires states to cover 12 annual telehealth mental health visits for Medicaid enrollees who were recently incarcerated in a public institution and are under court-ordered home confinement. It amends Medicaid law to mandate this coverage specifically for individuals released from prison and subject to home confinement, effective after the bill's enactment. The provision applies to all states operating under Medicaid plans or waivers, ensuring consistent access to mental health support during the reentry phase. It directly affects formerly incarcerated individuals transitioning from prison to home supervision, focusing on accessible mental health care through telehealth. The policy change is limited to Medicaid-covered telehealth visits during the period of home confinement, with no additional funding specified.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 7563: Rare Earth Magnet Market Revitalization Act

HR 7563 prohibits imports of rare earth magnets from "covered nations" (primarily China, as defined by existing law) into the U.S., except for limited cases where domestic supply is unavailable or national security requires it. It also restricts exporting electronic waste containing rare earth magnets to encourage domestic recycling and allows the Commerce Secretary to provide financial support (like price guarantees) to U.S. or partner-country manufacturers building rare earth magnet production facilities. The law applies to products containing these magnets, directly affecting U.S. manufacturers, importers, and recyclers of electronics and defense equipment. A report on implementation must be submitted to Congress within three years.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HR 7531: Healthy Families Act

This bill requires most employers to provide workers with earned paid sick leave. Employees would earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours per year, which can be used for their own illness, medical care, caring for family members (including children, parents, spouses, domestic partners, or other family-like relationships), or addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking situations. The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who use this leave and requires employers to inform employees about their rights. It ensures that workers who leave and return to the same employer within a year can reinstate their unused sick leave. This law would not override more generous state or local paid leave policies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Rosa L. DeLauro (D) · 156 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SRES 604: A resolution recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people under the law and ensure their access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security.

This is a Senate resolution (SRES 604), not a bill, expressing the Senate's non-binding view that the federal government should create a Transgender Bill of Rights. It calls for protections including equal access to healthcare (specifically affirming gender-affirming care), anti-discrimination measures in employment and housing, easier legal gender recognition on documents, and safety improvements for transgender and nonbinary people in custody. The resolution outlines detailed policy goals but does not create new law or mandate government action. It serves as a statement of principle, not a legislative proposal.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 11, 2026

HRES 1058: Recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people under the law and ensure their access to medical care, shelter, safety, and economic security.

HRES 1058 is a non-binding House resolution recognizing the federal government’s duty to develop a Transgender Bill of Rights. It calls for specific policy changes, including amending civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations; protecting access to gender-affirming medical care; and streamlining legal recognition of gender identity on federal documents like passports and voter registration. The resolution also proposes expanding protections for transgender and nonbinary individuals in healthcare, education, immigration, and correctional facilities, while emphasizing community-led policy development. As a resolution, it does not create new law but sets a framework for future legislative action.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Pramila Jayapal (D) · 110 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

S 3851: A bill to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to ensure adequate staffing and resources for the Institute of Tropical Forestry and the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry.

This bill sets minimum staffing requirements for two federal forestry research institutes. It mandates that the Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico maintain at least 50 staff members, and the Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry must have at least 30 staff members, both with adequate resources. These provisions aim to ensure both institutes can effectively advance scientific research, demonstration, and knowledge exchange in tropical and Pacific Islands forestry. The bill directly affects these two specific research entities under the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

S 3847: Stop Corporate Inversions Act of 2026

This bill amends U.S. tax law to prevent corporations from avoiding U.S. taxes through "inversions," where a foreign company acquires a U.S. business and moves its tax residence abroad. It treats certain foreign corporations as domestic for tax purposes if they acquire a U.S. entity after May 8, 2014, and either have over 50% of their stock held by former U.S. shareholders or maintain significant U.S. operations (at least 25% of employees, compensation, assets, or income in the U.S.). Exceptions apply if the corporation has substantial business activities in its original foreign country. The changes apply to taxable years ending after May 8, 2014, targeting tax avoidance strategies rather than affecting most standard multinational businesses.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Hawaii Congressional Bills

Bill results