Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2884: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for a certain percentage of expenses paid to retrofit a residence with wind resistive devices or to purchase, install, or construct, a hurricane shelter on the taxpayer's property. Reduces the general excise tax rate on the gross proceeds or income from the sale of a concrete high-rise certified hurricane-resistant residential project or certain hurricane-resistant components of the project. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 12/31/2030. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1579: RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION.

HB 1579 establishes statewide requirements for outdoor lighting fixtures, effective July 1, 2027. The bill directly affects property owners, businesses, and municipalities that install or maintain outdoor lighting across the state. Key provisions mandate specific standards for fixture design, brightness, and direction to reduce unnecessary light emissions. These changes aim to address light pollution by requiring compliant fixtures for all new installations and replacements after the effective date.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2760: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Clarifies that the importation of any item or material infested or infected with an insect or other animal, disease, or pest is prohibited. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules to designate certain restricted articles to require a compliance agreement prior to importation. Clarifies that the State is not responsible for any economic loss or damages related to any actions by the Department under chapter 150A, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Authorizes the Department to administratively inspect any article imported or moved into the State from the continental United States or between the islands of the State. Authorizes the Department to compel the quarantine of certain non-agricultural items or materials. Allows for certain interim rules adopted by the Department to be effective for up to two years. Clarifies penalties for various quarantine and import law violations. Appropriates funds to establish one full-time equivalent position within the Department to assist the Plant Industry Division Administrator in drafting, reviewing, and updating certain administrative rules. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1825: RELATING TO THE HAWAII TEACHER STANDARDS BOARD.

Permits the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1694: RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel distribution in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides $1 per gallon, increasing by 2 cents per additional 1 per cent emissions reduction, up to $2 per gallon. Caps total credits at $20,000,000 annually, with carryover provisions. Requires reporting to ensure transparency and compliance. Applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and sunsets on December 31, 2035. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2191: RELATING TO LIMITED-PROFIT HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS.

Establishes an organizational, tax, and regulatory framework for limited-profit housing associations. Establishes the Limited-Profit Housing Council within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to oversee limited-profit housing associations. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2180: RELATING TO DEPOSITS OF PUBLIC FUNDS.

Requires the Director of Finance to consider, before the selection of a depository for the state treasury, the beneficial effects to the State of using depositories within the State, including but not limited to lending at favorable terms for the creation of certain affordable housing units. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1951: RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Requires the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish a Center on Biosecurity Research, Education, and Extension to develop and implement innovative solutions for detecting, monitoring, eradicating, and managing invasive species. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2263: RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

HB 2263 authorizes eligible state employees to take family leave for military-related family emergencies, such as a service member's deployment or sudden military orders. It directly affects state workers whose families face qualifying military exigencies under state law. The bill establishes a specific leave provision within state family leave rules, allowing time off without losing pay or job protections. This creates a concrete policy change for state employees managing military family obligations, separate from federal provisions.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2083: RELATING TO STATE-OWNED HISTORIC PROPERTIES AND INHERITED LANDS.

Establishes the State-Owned Historic Properties Preservation Plan Working Group within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to ensure the preservation of state-owned historic properties and inherited lands. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 3012: RELATING TO ANIMAL IMPORTATION.

Requires, as a condition of entry into the State, documentation verifying that any dog or cat imported into the State has been surgically sterilized, subject to certain exemptions. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to forward declarations of intact animal importation to appropriate county animal control agencies or contractors. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2938: RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Establishes the Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator within the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Provides for the authority and duties of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator. Designates participating agencies and their duties with regard to state search and rescue operations and training. Establishes the Search and Rescue Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires the Administrator of Emergency Management to hire the Coordinator by 1/1/2027. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2525. (SD1)

Bill results