Hawaii Bills | MyRepTracker

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 163: REAFFIRMING THE LEGISLATURE'S COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE AS A MEMBER LEGISLATURE IN THE PACIFIC INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY.

This bill is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that reaffirms the Hawaii Legislature's commitment to remain a member of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, a regional organization for Pacific parliaments. The resolution formally recognizes the transition from the previous Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group to the new assembly and confirms Hawaii's continued participation in the organization. It directs that copies of the resolution be sent to relevant state officials and the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly leadership to ensure proper documentation of the legislature's membership status.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 87: ENCOURAGING THE STATE TO EXAMINE REQUIRING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS IN ALL STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS AND PURSUE EXISTING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAMS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to consider mandating automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. The bill aims to improve public access to life-saving devices that can treat cardiac arrest by analyzing heart rhythms and delivering electrical shocks to restore normal heart function. It also highlights the importance of AED training programs, noting that while organizations like the University of Hawaii offer such training, the state currently lacks legislatively mandated educational initiatives. The resolution directs the Director of Health to receive copies of the document and serves as a non-binding recommendation rather than a law requiring immediate action.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 55: ENDORSING TAIWAN'S INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION, SUPPORTING THE SIGNING OF A UNITED STATES-TAIWAN AGREEMENT ON AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION, AND COMMEMORATING THE SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND TAIWAN.

This Senate Resolution from Hawaii endorses Taiwan's participation in international organizations, supports a proposed tax agreement between the United States and Taiwan, and commemorates their sister-state relationship. The bill encourages Taiwan's observer status in bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization and International Criminal Police Organization, while urging the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate a double taxation avoidance agreement. It also highlights existing cooperation in trade, education, climate research, and disaster management between Hawaii and Taiwan. The resolution is a symbolic gesture that expresses support for these relationships without creating new legal obligations or changing existing laws.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 129: AFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR THE EXPANSION OF PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT INCREASE TREE CANOPY COVERAGE AND INSTALL SHADE TREES IN URBAN AREAS TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF URBAN HEAT ISLANDS ACROSS THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution expresses support for expanding tree canopy and shade tree programs across Hawaii to reduce urban heat island effects and protect vulnerable residents from extreme heat. The document requests state and county agencies to collaborate on assessing heat exposure, identifying priority areas with low tree coverage, and integrating shade tree strategies into future development and climate planning. It also calls for establishing statewide standards for tree selection, maintenance, and canopy targets while coordinating with community organizations and the private sector. The resolution directs copies to the Governor, state boards, and county mayors to encourage coordinated action on this public health and environmental issue.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 73: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO CONSIDER DEVELOPING A FACILITY TO DISCARD LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES.

This Senate Resolution requests the City and County of Honolulu to consider creating a facility for safely discarding lithium-ion batteries, which are currently often disposed of improperly in landfills. The bill aims to reduce fire and explosion hazards and protect environmental resources by establishing a dedicated disposal system, potentially integrated with the existing H-POWER waste energy recovery program. It directs copies of the resolution to state and local officials responsible for energy and waste management to facilitate the county's consideration of this infrastructure development.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 83: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO CONSIDER DEVELOPING A FACILITY TO DISCARD LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the City and County of Honolulu to consider building a facility for properly disposing of lithium-ion batteries. The bill addresses safety and environmental concerns by requesting the county explore creating a wet shredding facility connected to the existing H-POWER waste energy recovery program. It is intended to reduce fire and explosion risks associated with damaged batteries in landfills and protect local water resources. The resolution directs copies to state and local officials, including the Mayor and the Department of Environmental Services, to initiate consideration of this infrastructure project.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 28: REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

This Senate Resolution requests the creation of a task force to develop a statewide plan for studying the carrying capacity of marine life conservation districts in Hawaii. The task force will work with stakeholders from government agencies, universities, and local communities to design a framework for assessing how human activities affect these protected marine areas. It will also prioritize which districts need studies first, establish standards for conducting the research, and identify the funding and staffing needed to implement the program. The task force must submit its recommendations and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by the beginning of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 85: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN COMPLETING THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION SYSTEMS FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Department of Human Resources Development to work with state departments, agencies, and labor organizations to finish a review of how civil service positions are classified and paid. The request stems from high vacancy rates and upcoming retirements that threaten the state's ability to hire and keep qualified employees. The resolution directs the department to prioritize departments with the most unfilled or hard-to-fill positions during this review process. This action is part of a larger effort mandated by Act 180 to modernize the state's workforce management systems.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 97: URGING THE DIVISION OF STATE PARKS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE STATE PARKS, AND TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE BRANDING AND NARRATIVES FOR PARKS, LANDMARKS, AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT PLACES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution urges the Hawaii Division of State Parks to create a task force aimed at improving state parks and developing branding for parks and landmarks across the state. The proposed task force would include representatives from tourism, business development, cultural advisory, and legislative committees to examine best practices in park infrastructure and visitor experiences. The group is tasked with creating a framework for branding and storytelling that reflects Hawaii's cultural heritage and environmental character, potentially generating revenue through merchandise and other strategies. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, with the goal of establishing Hawaii's parks as among the finest in the nation.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 58: REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO REMOVE CANNABIS FROM THE FEDERAL CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT, PROVIDE SUPPORT TO STATES THAT ARE CLEARING DEFENDANTS' RECORDS OF CANNABIS OFFENSES, AND FACILITATE ACCESS TO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF BANKING SERVICES FOR CANNABIS-RELATED BUSINESSES.

This Senate Resolution asks the U.S. Congress to remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act, which would eliminate the risk of federal enforcement actions against states and businesses that have legalized cannabis. It also requests federal support for states that are clearing criminal records of past cannabis offenses to help affected individuals access housing and employment. Additionally, the bill seeks to enable cannabis-related businesses to access full banking services, including deposit insurance, which are currently restricted under federal law. The resolution is directed at Hawaii's congressional delegation to advocate for these changes in Washington.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 154: REAFFIRMING THE LEGISLATURE'S COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE AS A MEMBER LEGISLATURE IN THE PACIFIC INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY.

This Senate Resolution reaffirms the Hawaii Legislature's commitment to remain a member of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, a regional organization for Pacific legislatures. The bill formally recognizes the transition from the previous Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group to the new assembly structure and confirms Hawaii's continued participation in this cooperative framework. It directs the transmission of certified copies to relevant state officials and regional leaders to ensure proper notification of this renewed membership commitment. The resolution does not create new funding or policy changes but serves to maintain Hawaii's institutional role in Pacific regional legislative cooperation.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 184: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION TO EXAMINE THE APPLICABILITY OF EXISTING STATE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO ALGORITHMIC AND AUTOMATED DECISION SYSTEMS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws apply to decisions made by artificial intelligence and automated systems. The bill directs the commission to examine how these technologies are used in areas like hiring, housing, and credit, and to identify any legal gaps or challenges in addressing potential discrimination. The commission must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, which could lead to new rules or laws if needed. This measure does not change existing laws immediately but initiates an official review of how civil rights protections work in the age of automated decision-making.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology