Hawaii Congressional Bills

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Oct 8, 2025

SRES 443: A resolution expressing concern about the growing problem of book banning, and the proliferation of threats to freedom of expression in the United States.

This non-binding Senate resolution expresses concern about rising book bans in schools and libraries, citing data showing over 6,800 individual book removals since July 2024 across 23 states. It highlights how bans disproportionately target books about race, LGBTQ+ experiences, and marginalized histories - such as *The Handmaid’s Tale* and *Maus* - and urges schools to follow established guidelines for handling book challenges. The resolution calls for returning books removed from military schools under recent executive orders and opposes content-based censorship in public education.

Topics ✓ Education

Brian Schatz (D) · 19 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Oct 8, 2025

HRES 797: Expressing concern about the growing problem of book banning and the proliferation of threats to freedom of expression in the United States.

HRES 797 is a non-binding resolution expressing concern about the rising number of book bans in U.S. schools and libraries. It cites PEN America data showing 6,870 book bans affecting 3,751 titles between July 2024 and June 2025, with books about race, LGBTQ+ experiences, and marginalized communities disproportionately targeted (e.g., *The Handmaid’s Tale*, *Maus*, *This Book Is Gay*). The resolution calls on schools to follow best practices for book challenges, protect students’ access to diverse materials, and return books removed from military schools under recent executive orders. It directly addresses students, educators, librarians, and authors impacted by censorship, emphasizing that such bans threaten free expression and democratic values.

Topics ✓ Education

Jamie Raskin (D) · 59 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Oct 8, 2025

HRES 795: Condemning the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and calling for Hamas and its leaders to immediately and unconditionally surrender and to release the hostages, including Americans.

HRES 795 is a non-binding resolution condemning Hamas for the October 7, 2023, attacks that killed over 1,200 people, took 251 hostages (including Americans), and involved sexual violence. It demands Hamas immediately surrender and release all remaining hostages - specifically noting 48 people still held, including two U.S. citizens. The resolution also affirms Israel’s right to self-defense, calls for humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians, and condemns global antisemitism following the attacks. As a symbolic congressional statement, it does not create new laws or alter policies.

Josh Gottheimer (D) · 68 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Oct 8, 2025

HR 5708: Federal Employees Civil Relief Act

HR 5708, the Federal Employees Civil Relief Act, provides temporary protections for federal workers and contractors during government shutdowns. It suspends civil proceedings like evictions, mortgage foreclosures, student loan collections, and tax payments if the worker is furloughed or working without pay. During a shutdown (and for 30 days after), courts can pause these obligations or adjust payments to prevent harm, and lenders/insurers cannot penalize workers for missed payments due to the shutdown. The law directly affects federal employees whose income is disrupted by a shutdown, ensuring housing, loan, and tax protections while maintaining their civil rights.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Oct 8, 2025

HR 5705: To authorize the reimbursement by the Federal Government of State funds used to maintain participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children in the event of a Government shutdown.

HR 5705 requires the federal government to reimburse state agencies for funds they use to maintain participation in the WIC program during a government shutdown. It directly affects states that cover WIC costs using their own money when federal funding lapses. The bill establishes a process where states can seek reimbursement from the federal government after the shutdown ends. This ensures states aren’t burdened with costs for a federal funding gap that impacts nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Gabe Amo (D) · 87 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Oct 7, 2025

S 2982: Federal Employees Civil Relief Act

This bill provides temporary relief to federal workers during government shutdowns by pausing specific civil obligations. It directly affects federal employees (including contractor employees) who are furloughed or working without pay, suspending actions like evictions, mortgage foreclosures, student loan collections, tax payments, and insurance lapses during the shutdown and for 30 days afterward. Key mechanisms include court-ordered stays for rent, mortgages, and loans; automatic student loan deferment; tax payment deferrals; and protection against insurance policy termination due to unpaid premiums. The relief applies only to civil matters (not criminal cases or child support) and requires court involvement for certain actions.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Brian Schatz (D) · 19 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Oct 7, 2025

S 2977: FAST Justice Act

S 2977, the FAST Justice Act, creates a 120-day timeline for the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to act on federal employee appeals. If the MSPB fails to take action within 120 days (excluding certain cases), affected federal employees or job applicants can file a civil lawsuit in federal court. The bill specifies where these lawsuits may be filed - based on where the personnel action occurred, where the employee would have worked, or the agency's main office - and ensures courts use the standard review applicable to MSPB decisions. This procedural change directly affects federal workers whose appeals are stalled at the MSPB, aiming to expedite resolution of personnel disputes.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Oct 6, 2025

SRES 406: A resolution designating September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to recognize and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Impact Aid program.

Senate Resolution SRES 406 designates September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Impact Aid program. The program reimburses school districts near federal properties (such as military bases, Indian lands, and federal facilities) for lost tax revenue, ensuring they can provide quality education. This resolution formally recognizes the program’s role in supporting over 1,100 school districts serving more than 8 million students across 4.7 million acres of federally owned land. It is a ceremonial resolution with no new policy changes or funding.

Mazie K. Hirono (D) · 26 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Oct 3, 2025

HRES 786: Supporting the designation of September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to recognize and celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Impact Aid program.

HRES 786 is a symbolic resolution designating September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Impact Aid program. It does not create new policies or funding but formally recognizes the program's history and purpose. The resolution highlights that Impact Aid reimburses local schools for revenue losses due to tax-exempt federal properties (like military bases or tribal lands), serving over 8 million students across 1,100 school districts. It emphasizes bipartisan support for the program since its 1950 establishment and its role in ensuring equitable education access for federally connected children. The resolution has no binding effect beyond the symbolic recognition.

Dan Newhouse (R) · 17 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · House Oct 3, 2025

HRES 787: Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as "Hawaiian History Month" to recognize the history, culture and contributions of Native Hawaiians and reaffirm the United States Federal trust responsibility to the Native Hawaiian community to support their well-being.

This resolution expresses congressional support for designating September 2025 as "Hawaiian History Month." It recognizes the history, culture, and contributions of Native Hawaiians to Hawaii, the U.S., and globally, while reaffirming the U.S. Federal trust relationship with Native Hawaiians. The bill does not create new laws or funding but encourages federal agencies, schools, and communities to observe the month through educational programs. It specifically references historical milestones like Public Law 103-150 (1993) acknowledging the 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal force but aims to promote awareness of Native Hawaiian heritage.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Oct 3, 2025

HR 5673: Stop the Trump Electricity Price Hikes Act

HR 5673, titled "Stop the Trump Electricity Price Hikes Act," would reinstate financial assistance awards terminated by the Department of Energy under a May 15, 2025, secretarial memorandum. It directly affects recipients of these awards - likely energy or infrastructure projects - that had their funding cut, by restoring their financial support as if the terminations never occurred. The key mechanism requires the Department to treat all such terminated awards as valid and continuing, overriding prior termination actions. This bill does not address electricity pricing, consumer rates, or introduce new energy regulations.

Topics ✓ Energy

in committee · Hawaii · House Oct 3, 2025

HR 5680: Pay Our Public Shipyard Workers Act

HR 5680, the "Pay Our Public Shipyard Workers Act," ensures continuous pay for civilian and military workers at public shipyards during budget gaps in fiscal years 2026 or 2027. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover their pay and allowances if regular appropriations bills aren't enacted before the start of those fiscal years. The funding expires no later than January 1, 2027, or when regular appropriations are passed, whichever comes first. This bill directly affects shipyard workers whose pay would otherwise be interrupted during federal budget transitions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

Hawaii Congressional Bills

Bill results