Hawaii Bills

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2146: RELATING TO TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS.

Establishes a Traffic Fines Task Force that will examine the Finnish tiered traffic fines system, determine whether a similar system could be implemented in the State, and provide recommendations as to how a system could best be implemented. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

died · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

GM 605: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Advisory Board of Directors of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Gubernatorial Nominee, LISA PAULSON, for a term to expire 06-30-2027.

This is a procedural nomination, not a substantive legislative bill. Governor Josh Green has submitted Lisa Paulson for confirmation to serve on the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority's Advisory Board of Directors. Her term would begin upon confirmation and expire on June 30, 2027. The submission follows constitutional requirements for gubernatorial appointments to state boards.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

GM 674: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Civil Rights Commission, Gubernatorial Nominee, ALPHONSO BRAGGS, for a term to expire 06-30-2029.

This bill is a procedural nomination submission by Governor Green for Alphonso Braggs to serve on Hawaii's Civil Rights Commission. It formally requests the Senate's confirmation for Braggs to fill a vacancy with a term expiring June 30, 2029. The bill does not create new policy but follows standard state procedure for appointing commission members. It directly affects the Civil Rights Commission's membership and the confirmation process under Hawaii Constitution Article V, Section 6.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2804: RELATING TO COMMERCE.

SB 2804 bars companies from acquiring or holding stocks or investments that reduce access to healthcare services or raise insurance premiums. It directly affects corporations and investment entities making such financial decisions. The key provision prohibits these specific stock holdings if they demonstrably harm healthcare affordability or availability. The bill aims to prevent corporate investment practices that negatively impact patients and insurance costs, without specifying enforcement details.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2731: RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors, or for offenses punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment to apply to the court for a sentence modification to conform to the new limit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 3322: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes provisions limiting state and federal collaboration for purposes of immigration enforcement operations. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to establish and publicly post written policies regarding civil immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement officers from initiating or prolonging a stop, detention, or arrest of a person for the purpose of determining the person's civil immigration status, except under certain circumstances. Prohibits state and county involvement in civil immigration enforcement activity in certain locations. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to assist state and county agencies in maintaining compliance with the civil immigration enforcement policy. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Immigration

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2737: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

Establishes the offense of failure to report bribery by a state elected official as a misdemeanor. Requires a state elected official who knows of or witnesses the conferring, offering, solicitation, or acceptance of a pecuniary benefit in violation of the bribery statute to report the conduct to the Department of the Attorney General, a county prosecuting attorney, a law enforcement agency, the State Ethics Commission, or a county ethics board within sixty days. Defines "state elected official". Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 1952: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for capital improvements for the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience's Agricultural Research and Extension Station on Kauai. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 17: RELATING TO WILDFIRE MITIGATION.

Establishes the Wildfire Mitigation Working Group. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to provide administrative support to the working group. Appropriates funds. Revises the appropriations made by Act 302, SLH 2025. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2811: RELATING TO STATE BUILDING PROJECTS.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, the State Building Permit Process Task Force to evaluate the challenges, opportunities, and legislative actions necessary to establish a State Building Permit Review Office for state projects located on state-owned lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Sunsets on 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 3048: RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position for the State Building Code Council to support statewide building code coordination, permitting transparency, and modernization initiatives. Requires county reporting on building permitting performance. Requires the State Building Code Council to develop a plan for the creation of a standardized statewide permitting data system or publicly accessible dashboard and a state building code modernization and transparency initiative. Requires the State Building Code Council to develop standardized credentials and training requirements for permitting officials. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 2165: RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, removes the two-year limitation on the recoupment of overpayments and limits the amount of overpaid amount and the penalty assessment amount that can be deducted from future benefits payable to the individual. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to assess and collect a service charge for dishonored unemployment insurance assessments. Beginning 4/1/2027, specifies that employers must report separation and wage information within five calendar days of notice being sent, whether by mail or electronic notification. Beginning 4/1/2027, increases the penalty for failure to report separations or wages and for failure to file or for filing insufficient wage reports. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

Bill results