Hawaii Congressional Bills

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 3, 2026

HR 1685: Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025

This bill extends dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), treating ALS-related deaths as qualifying for benefits regardless of how long the veteran had the disease before death. It requires surviving spouses to have been married to the veteran for at least eight continuous years prior to death to qualify for compensation. The changes apply to veterans dying from ALS on or after October 1, 2025. Additionally, the bill requires the Veterans Affairs Secretary to submit a report within 180 days of enactment identifying other service-connected disabilities with high mortality rates that might warrant similar treatment.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HR 6601: CARE for First Responders Act

The CARE for First Responders Act (HR 6601) provides mental health support specifically for first responders, including emergency personnel and 911 operators (defined as "qualified emergency response providers"). It requires the creation of a 24/7 confidential hotline via the 988 Suicide Lifeline, peer support programs staffed by trained responders, and mobile crisis units that offer on-site mental health services during major disasters. The bill mandates trauma-informed, culturally appropriate care and education to reduce stigma around mental health, with a focus on helping responders and their families adjust after disaster work. It authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030) for these services through grants to state/local health entities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Jill N. Tokuda (D) · 19 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HR 6507: DHS Grants Accountability Act

HR 6507, the DHS Grants Accountability Act, requires the Department of Homeland Security to set specific timelines for distributing security grants. It mandates that grant notices be published publicly at least 60 days after appropriations are enacted, gives applicants a minimum of 30 days to submit applications, and requires grant funds to remain available for use for at least 54 months. This bill directly affects state and local governments, transit agencies, port authorities, and other entities receiving DHS preparedness, transit, port security, and railroad safety grants. The key provisions standardize application deadlines and funding periods across multiple grant programs to improve transparency and planning.

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HRES 1027: Supporting the designation of the "International Year of the Woman Farmer" to recognize and honor the critical role of women in agriculture.

This resolution supports the designation of the International Year of the Woman Farmer and recognizes the critical role of women in agriculture. The resolution also encourages citizens to celebrate the impact these women have on the food systems and agricultural workforce of the United States by encouraging and empowering women to pursue careers in agriculture and cultivate leadership opportunities.

Chellie Pingree (D) · 21 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HR 7297: ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act

HR 7297, the "ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act," creates a direct legal path for individuals harmed by ICE or CBP officers to sue the U.S. government for constitutional violations. The bill amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to allow lawsuits when officers violate rights like due process, privacy, or free speech - without requiring proof that a government policy caused the harm. Monetary damages would come from specific federal appropriations, and the government waives its usual immunity from such lawsuits. This directly affects people subjected to unlawful immigration enforcement actions by these agencies. The bill does not change agency operations but provides a new civil remedy for victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

Andrea Salinas (D) · 27 co-sponsors

passed · Hawaii · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SRES 592: A resolution supporting the designation of 2026 as the "International Year of the Woman Farmer" to recognize and honor the critical role of women in agriculture.

This resolution supports the designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer and recognizes the critical role of women in agriculture. The resolution also encourages citizens to celebrate the impact these women have on the food systems and agricultural workforce of the United States by encouraging and empowering women to pursue careers in agriculture and cultivate leadership opportunities.

Deb Fischer (R) · 43 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 3724: Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act of 2026

This bill requires large local governments (over 100,000 people) that apply for federal hate crime funding to credibly report hate crime data to the FBI. If a jurisdiction fails to report hate crimes (or reports zero incidents) for a year, it loses eligibility for future federal funding, unless the Attorney General certifies the jurisdiction conducted significant community education on hate crimes. Such education includes adopting hate crime reporting policies, creating specialized units, or holding public forums about hate crime prevention and victim services. The Attorney General must annually publish a report identifying jurisdictions meeting the education exception. The law aims to improve data accuracy by linking funding to verified hate crime reporting.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 27, 2026

HJRES 144: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to "Reproductive Health Services".

HJRES 144 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on December 31, 2025, which addressed "Reproductive Health Services" (90 Fed. Reg. 61310). This resolution directs Congress to disapprove the VA rule under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, meaning the rule would have no legal effect if passed. The bill directly affects the VA's implementation of reproductive health services for veterans, as it seeks to nullify the agency's existing policy. This is a procedural measure, not a substantive policy change, aimed solely at blocking the VA's rule through congressional action.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Veterans

Julia Brownley (D) · 155 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 27, 2026

HR 7247: Prison Libraries Act of 2026

The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to fund library services in state and territorial correctional facilities, directly benefiting incarcerated individuals. It requires grantees (states/territories) to submit plans demonstrating need, including demographic data on prison populations, and prohibits using funds for non-library purposes like food or facility maintenance. Grant funds must support library services such as digital access, educational programming (including job training and post-secondary curriculum), literacy initiatives, and partnerships with public libraries. The program authorizes $10 million annually from 2026-2031, prioritizes measurable outcomes like increased literacy and post-release employment opportunities, and mandates free access to all library resources for incarcerated people.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Emanuel Cleaver (D) · 40 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 23, 2026

HR 7238: Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services Act

HR 7238 establishes a Commission to investigate historical discrimination against LGBTQ+ service members in the military, including policies that led to discharges and denied benefits. The Commission will gather testimonies from affected veterans and servicemembers, study impacts on mental health, benefits access, and force readiness, and recommend remedies like record corrections and compensation. This bill directly affects LGBTQ+ veterans and current service members who faced discharge or denial of care due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Commission must submit a final report to Congress within one year, outlining findings and proposed actions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Mark Takano (D) · 26 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 22, 2026

HR 7223: Language Access for All Act of 2026

The Language Access for All Act of 2026 requires federal agencies to ensure meaningful access to government services for people with limited English proficiency (LEP). Agencies must translate vital documents into languages commonly spoken in the U.S. (based on Census data), provide multilingual digital tools, interpretation services, and use bilingual staff as an alternative to professional interpreters. Each agency must create a language access plan within one year, detailing how it will serve LEP populations - including during emergencies - and annually certify compliance with technical standards. Noncompliance is treated as discrimination under civil rights law, with enforcement by the Department of Justice.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Immigration ✓ Technology

Grace Meng (D) · 32 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 22, 2026

HR 7206: Farm and Family Relief Act

HR 7206, the Farm and Family Relief Act, provides direct financial assistance to agricultural producers facing market challenges during the 2025 crop year. It establishes one-time payments for eligible crop producers (including wheat, corn, soybeans, and cotton) when expected costs exceed expected returns, with payment limits based on farming income (capping at $125,000 or $250,000 depending on farming income percentage). The bill allocates $5 billion for specialty crop producers, $500 million for timber industry assistance, and $330 million for sugar beet producers through cooperative block grants. Additionally, it delays certain cost-shift provisions in food assistance programs and terminates specific tariff-imposing executive orders.

Angie Craig (D) · 30 co-sponsors

Hawaii Congressional Bills

Bill results