Hawaii Bills

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 14, 2026

GM 654: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board, Gubernatorial Nominee, DAPHNE OKUNAGA, for a term to expire 06-30-2028.

This bill (GM 654) is a procedural nomination submission, not a policy change. Governor Green has formally submitted Daphne Okunaga for confirmation as a member of the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board, with her term set to expire on June 30, 2028. The Senate must now consider and confirm this gubernatorial appointment. The bill itself does not alter any laws or affect any policies - it solely initiates the confirmation process for a board position.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 14, 2026

GM 656: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board, Gubernatorial Nominee, DALE ARAKAKI, for a term to expire 06-30-2028.

This is a Governor's nomination submission, not a legislative bill. Governor Green has submitted Dale Arakaki for confirmation to the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board to fill a vacancy, with a term expiring June 30, 2028. The Senate must consider and confirm this nomination per Hawaii Constitution Article V, Section 6. The nomination directly affects the Teacher Standards Board's composition and its oversight of educator licensing in Hawaii. This procedural step requires Senate confirmation but does not change existing law or policy.

Topics ✓ Education

died · Hawaii · Senate Apr 14, 2026

GM 658: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board, Gubernatorial Nominee, KRISTI MIYAMAE, for a term to expire 06-30-2028.

This bill (GM 658) is a procedural nomination submission by Governor Josh Green for Kristi Miyamae to serve on the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board. It formally requests the Senate's consideration and confirmation of Miyamae's appointment for a term ending June 30, 2028. The bill does not create new policy or directly affect educators or students; it is a routine step in the appointment process for a state board position. The Governor's office submitted this nomination as required by Hawaii's Constitution (Article V, Section 6).

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 14, 2026

GM 652: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawai'i Teacher Standards Board, Gubernatorial Nominee, JONATHAN GILLENTINE, for a term to expire 06-30-2027.

This is a procedural submission, not a legislative bill. Governor Josh Green submitted Jonathan Gillentine for confirmation to the Hawai'i Teacher Standards Board, with a term expiring June 30, 2027. The document follows constitutional requirements (Article V, Section 6) for gubernatorial nominations requiring Senate confirmation. It does not establish new policies or affect any group beyond the nomination process itself.

failed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 14, 2026

GM 657: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board, Gubernatorial Nominee, KATINA SOARES, for a term to expire 06-30-2028.

This is a procedural bill (GM 657) submitting Governor Josh Green's nomination of Katina Soares for appointment to the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board. The bill formally requests the Senate to consider and confirm Soares' appointment for a term ending June 30, 2028. It does not change any laws or affect the public; it only follows the constitutional process for confirming a board member. The Senate must vote on whether to approve the nomination.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Apr 13, 2026

GM 808: Informing the House that on April 13, 2026, he appointed M. Cov Ratcliffe to the House, effective immediately, to serve as the Representative from the 28th House District to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Representative Daniel Holt.

This bill informs the House of Representatives that Governor Josh Green has appointed Michael "Cov" Ratcliffe to fill the vacant seat for the 28th House District. The appointment, effective immediately, is made to replace Representative Daniel Holt, who resigned to take a position within the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Ratcliffe will serve until the term expires in November 2026, covering the districts of Sand Island, Iwilei, and Chinatown. The legislation is a procedural notification required by state law to formalize the governor's appointment of a new representative.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

GM 7: Letter dated April 9, 2026, transmitting a proposed conference draft amending H.B. No. 2272, H.D. 1, S.D. 1 to fund the arbitration award concerning Collective Bargaining Unit 11.

This bill provides emergency funding to pay for a legal arbitration award related to the Hawai'i Firefighters Association. It directs state general and special funds to cover specific salary increases, fringe benefits, and health insurance costs for firefighters in Collective Bargaining Unit 11 over the next two fiscal years. The legislation also allocates money to ensure that state officers and employees excluded from the union but on similar pay scales receive matching adjustments. Ultimately, the bill authorizes the release of approximately $3.6 million in current funds and outlines estimated costs for future years to settle the dispute.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 139: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED PLAN TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Departments of Health, Human Services, and Education to create a coordinated plan to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which affect individuals exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. The plan would explore establishing a statewide FASD coordinator, strategies for accessing federal funding, and methods to improve awareness and training for healthcare providers and educators. It aims to reduce the economic and social costs of FASD by improving early identification, treatment access, and support for affected families. The departments must submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 15, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 105: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO STUDENTS ON HOW TO PREREGISTER TO VOTE BEFORE REACHING VOTING AGE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education to inform students aged 16 and older about how to preregister to vote before they turn 18. The bill directs schools to provide specific guidance on voter eligibility, registration procedures, and opportunities to volunteer at voter service centers, while also making paper registration forms and disability accommodations resources available. It designates the final two weeks of September each year as a dedicated period for voter registration activities in high schools, aiming to increase civic engagement among youth. As a non-binding resolution, it does not mandate compliance but formally requests the Department of Education to implement these educational initiatives.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 198: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING, CLASSIFYING, AND APPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM POSITIONS, AND ITS SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION OF COMPLEX AREA SUPERINTENDENTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive performance and fiscal audit of the Department of Education's governance structure and administrative leadership in Hawaii. The audit will examine the roles, responsibilities, staffing, and costs associated with key leadership positions including the State Superintendent, Deputy Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, and Complex Area Superintendents. The review will analyze whether these positions effectively support departmental goals, identify any overlapping duties, and provide recommendations for improving administrative efficiency and accountability. The Auditor is required to submit a detailed report with findings and potential legislative recommendations to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 123: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

This bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries who are homeless or have extremely low incomes. The resolution asks these agencies to assess how many people are affected, identify gaps in current housing assistance, and explore options like transitional housing models on trust lands. It also directs them to evaluate funding sources, partner with nonprofit organizations, and ensure all plans comply with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act before submitting a report to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 116: REQUESTING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED, PLACE-BASED STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE NEEDS ON THE WAIANAE COAST.

This bill requests the City and County of Honolulu and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated strategic action plan for addressing behavioral health and homelessness on the Waianae Coast. The plan would analyze emergency response times, hospital utilization, and current shelter capacity to identify service gaps and high-need areas in the region. It also requires the agencies to evaluate how well outreach teams, behavioral health providers, and first responders work together and to explore options for establishing a regional crisis stabilization center. The agencies must include community-based service providers in the planning process and submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Bill results