Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1596: RELATING TO STUDENT BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Establishes a Basic Needs Pilot Program at a single campus of the University of Hawaii system. Authorizes the establishment of a Housing Stability Pilot Project at that campus. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2339: RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

Makes both the representative of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii and the representative of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii permanent standing members of the State Building Code Council, instead of members who alternate terms every 4 years. Adds members representing the Plumbers and Fitters United Association, Local 675 and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1186 to the State Building Code Council. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2987: RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION.

SB 2987 establishes statewide requirements for outdoor lighting fixtures beginning July 1, 2027. The bill directly affects property owners, businesses, and municipalities that install or maintain outdoor lighting across the state. It mandates specific standards for fixture design and light direction to reduce unnecessary illumination, without specifying exact technical measures in the provided abstract. The legislation aims to address light pollution through standardized outdoor lighting practices.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2480: RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Allows voters in a primary or special primary election to vote for any candidate for any office without regard to the voter or candidate's political party preference. Advances the top two candidates in a primary or special primary election, regardless of political party, to the general election. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2147: 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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2233: 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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2231: 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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2187: 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. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1919: RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

HB 1919 prohibits counties from requiring minimum parking spaces for certain new developments starting July 1, 2027. It directly affects counties and developers building projects like residential, commercial, or mixed-use properties that fall under the bill's scope. The key provision removes a common requirement that often increases construction costs and land use for such projects. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2027, with a noted but likely erroneous "effective 7/1/3000" date in the abstract.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2201: 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 or operation of a Film Studio. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2927: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score, except the summary of scores, to a non-selected offeror until after any protest is resolved and the contract is executed. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2809: RELATING TO BUDGET-RELATED REPORTS.

Requires the Governor to ensure that the Governor's program memoranda and variance reports accurately reflect the current responsibilities of certain state programs, address the current and future needs of the State, and align with budget-related submittals.

Bill results