Hawaii Bills | MyRepTracker

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 85: REQUESTING THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT OF EACH COUNTY TO ESTABLISH KUPUNA-FRIENDLY BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR PARKING ACCESSIBILITY AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES OPERATING HOURS.

This Senate Resolution asks county planning departments to create building permit requirements that support older adults, known as kupuna, in Hawaii. The bill would require private businesses and malls to set aside special hours for kupuna entry and increase the number of parking spaces designated for both disabled and non-disabled older adults. It is a request rather than a mandate, meaning counties would need to adopt these changes voluntarily through their existing planning processes. The resolution aims to improve community access for an aging population by addressing parking availability and business operating hours.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 57: REQUESTING THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD TO STUDY THE COMMUNICATION NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, OR DEAF-BLIND IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND MAKE NECESSARY REVISIONS TO THE GUIDANCE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Disability and Communication Access Board to study how healthcare providers can better communicate with deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind patients. The study will examine interpreter availability, patient preferences, special needs in hospital and nursing facility settings, and legal requirements for communication services. Based on its findings, the Board will update existing guidance for healthcare providers and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by late 2027. This resolution does not create new laws but directs a study to improve communication access for individuals with hearing or vision disabilities in medical settings.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 29: ESTABLISHING THE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM DESIGN WORKING GROUP TO STUDY, EVALUATE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This bill establishes a joint legislative working group to study and design a statewide mattress stewardship program aimed at reducing landfill waste from discarded mattresses and box springs. The working group will include representatives from state agencies, county governments, mattress industry stakeholders, environmental organizations, and consumer advocates to develop recommendations on program structure, funding, and implementation. The group is tasked with evaluating extended producer responsibility models, collection systems, recycling pathways, and consumer protections, and must submit its findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 90: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF LARGE DATA CENTERS ON HAWAII'S ELECTRIC UTILITIES, RATEPAYERS, NATURAL RESOURCES, AND CLIMATE GOALS.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to create a working group to study how large data centers might affect the state's electric grid, utility rates, natural resources, and climate objectives. The proposed working group would include representatives from state agencies, electric utilities, consumer advocates, and environmental organizations to examine potential policy safeguards. Key areas of study include ensuring data center developers pay for necessary grid upgrades rather than existing ratepayers, protecting water resources used for cooling, and preventing increased greenhouse gas emissions. The resolution aims to proactively prepare Hawaii's isolated power system for future data center development while balancing economic growth with environmental protection and ratepayer fairness.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 63: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO TRANSFER PARCELS THAT MAKE UP THE EAST KAPOLEI TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND URGING THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO PARTNER WITH THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PORTIONS OF THE PROJECT.

This Senate Resolution urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer several state-owned parcels in the East Kapolei Transit-Oriented Development Project to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation for development. It also asks the Housing Finance Corporation to partner with the Hawaii Community Development Authority to handle non-housing community development and infrastructure work across the project area. The bill does not mandate these actions but recommends them based on the agencies' existing roles and past successful collaborations on similar projects.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 76: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR TO EVALUATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DECENTRALIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT'S HIRING AND RECRUITMENT FUNCTIONS TO STATE DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS, AND AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE TRAINING OF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICERS OF STATE DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS, AND AGENCIES NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT THEIR HIRING AND RECRUITMENT FUNCTIONS.

This Senate Resolution asks the Governor to study whether Hawaii state agencies should manage their own hiring and recruitment instead of relying on the centralized Department of Human Resources Development. The bill addresses concerns that the current system causes long vacancies and staffing shortages, with over 4,000 positions vacant as of late 2025. If implemented, the proposed changes would allow individual departments to write job descriptions, review applicants, conduct interviews, and directly hire qualified candidates. The Governor must complete this evaluation and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not change current law but requests an administrative review of the hiring process.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 120: URGING THE STATE TO CONSIDER THE IMPORTANCE OF RANGELANDS AND PASTORALISTS AND ADOPT POLICIES THAT FURTHER SUSTAIN RANGELAND HEALTH AND PASTORALIST LIVELIHOODS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the State of Hawaii to recognize the importance of rangelands and pastoralists, particularly during the UN-designated International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in 2026. The bill does not create new laws or funding but instead requests that state agencies, the University of Hawaii, and local organizations promote education and research on rangeland management while considering policies that support rancher livelihoods. It highlights that over 1 million acres of Hawaii's land are classified as rangelands, which support livestock production valued at over $50 million annually and provide ecological benefits like water conservation and carbon storage. The resolution formally asks the state to acknowledge the cultural and economic significance of ranching traditions and to encourage collaborative efforts to sustain these lands and the communities that depend on them.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 63: REQUESTING THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD TO STUDY THE COMMUNICATION NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, OR DEAF-BLIND IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND MAKE NECESSARY REVISIONS TO THE GUIDANCE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks Hawaii's Disability and Communication Access Board to study how deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind individuals communicate in healthcare settings and to develop updated guidelines for providers. The study will examine interpreter availability, patient preferences, special needs for hospitalized patients, and legal requirements for effective communication. Based on its findings, the Board will revise existing guidance and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This action aims to improve healthcare access for individuals with communication disabilities by ensuring providers understand their specific needs and legal obligations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 69: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO LEAD A COORDINATED INTERDEPARTMENTAL EFFORT TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS IN THE STATE, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN FOR INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION TO ENSURE THE COORDINATION OF SUPPORT SERVICES.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Health to take the lead role in coordinating state services and support for people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. The bill requests the department to create a plan that brings together multiple state agencies, including health, human services, education, and the judiciary, to provide better care and support. It also asks for efforts to increase public awareness and reduce stigma, while training healthcare and education professionals to better identify and manage these conditions. The resolution requires the Department of Health to share its coordination plan with the Legislature by early 2027, including any recommendations for new laws or funding needed to implement the changes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 121: 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 Resolution expresses support for expanding tree canopy programs and installing shade trees in urban areas to reduce urban heat island effects across Hawaii. It requests state and county agencies to collaborate on assessing heat exposure, canopy coverage disparities, and opportunities for integrating shade trees into development and climate resilience planning. The resolution emphasizes prioritizing vulnerable communities, including children, older adults, and low-income neighborhoods, while also considering best practices for tree selection and maintenance. It directs copies to the Governor, relevant state officials, and county mayors to encourage coordinated action on urban forestry initiatives.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 24: URGING MAUI HEALTH SYSTEM TO COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO ESTABLISH A FULL-TIME MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

This Senate Resolution urges Maui Health to work with state and medical stakeholders to create a full-time medical residency program on Maui, aiming to address the island's critical shortage of physicians. The bill calls for leveraging federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding and other resources to support the program's establishment and long-term sustainability. It specifically requests collaboration with the John A. Burns School of Medicine, federally qualified health centers, and other partners while requiring Maui Health to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 16: REQUESTING THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to develop a student-led program focused on coral reef protection. The program would engage students in educating the public about reef-safe sunscreen choices (mineral-based alternatives) at state beaches, addressing barriers like cost and awareness. It specifies the initiative must be voluntary, non-enforcement, and based on scientific research, with student-led outreach and educational materials. The resolution also requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit a 2027 report to the Legislature detailing collaborative efforts and recommendations for advancing reef protection.

Topics ✓ Environment