Hawaii Bills

signed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 121: REQUESTING GOOGLE MAPS, APPLE MAPS, AND SIMILAR DIGITAL MAPPING AND NAVIGATION PLATFORMS TO REMOVE, MODIFY, OR RESTRICT THE PUBLIC IDENTIFICATION, LABELING, AND PROMOTION OF HAZARDOUS COASTAL FEATURES, INCLUDING MERMAID CAVES.

This bill requests that Google Maps, Apple Maps, and similar digital navigation platforms remove or restrict public identification and labeling of hazardous coastal features like Mermaid Caves in Hawaii. The resolution asks these companies to eliminate recreational designations and directions that encourage public access to dangerous sea caves known for causing injuries and fatalities. It directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources to coordinate with emergency responders and local agencies to provide safety data supporting these requests. The measure clarifies that it does not restrict lawful shoreline access, traditional practices, news reporting, or academic research.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 189: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF CORPORATE INCOME REPORTING STRUCTURES, INCLUDING THE TREATMENT OF FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY INCOME, TO INFORM LONG-TERM FISCAL PLANNING.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Taxation to conduct a comprehensive analysis of how corporations report their income, with a specific focus on foreign subsidiary structures. The analysis will examine different reporting methods, estimate tax revenue from companies with foreign subsidiaries, and compare Hawaii's current system with alternative approaches used by other states. The Department of Taxation must submit its findings to the Legislature by the end of 2026, providing data to help inform future fiscal planning without making any immediate policy changes.

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 119: REQUESTING THE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to conduct a study compiling recommended safe patient staffing ratios for various hospital units and healthcare settings. The study will use existing state bills as a framework and incorporate guidelines from major professional nursing organizations, including those specializing in critical care, emergency, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing. The Center for Nursing is asked to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature and Department of Health by early 2027, with the goal of providing data to help healthcare facilities implement safer staffing levels.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 95: 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 Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to form a working group to study how large data centers might affect the state's electric grid, utility rates, natural resources, and climate goals. The proposed group would include representatives from state agencies, utilities, consumer advocates, and environmental organizations to examine potential impacts and policy options. Key areas of study include ensuring data center developers pay for necessary grid upgrades, protecting ratepayers from higher bills, managing water usage, and maintaining Hawaii's clean energy objectives. The resolution is proactive, aiming to prepare regulatory frameworks before any large data center proposals are submitted to Hawaii.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 45: SUPPORTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S EFFORTS TO COORDINATE THE STOCKPILING OF A THREE-YEAR SUPPLY OF MIFEPRISTONE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Health to coordinate the stockpiling of a three-year supply of mifepristone, a medication commonly used in medical abortions. The resolution is based on concerns about potential disruptions to the medication's supply chain and aims to ensure continued access to abortion care within the state. It directs the Department of Health to determine the appropriate quantities for this stockpile and requires sending a copy of the resolution to the state's health director. The measure does not mandate specific actions but serves as a formal recommendation to the health department regarding medication availability.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 191: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL HAWAII GENUINE PROGRESS INDICATOR REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE NO LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS PRIOR TO THE CONVENING OF EACH REGULAR SESSION, BEGINNING WITH THE REGULAR SESSION OF 2027.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit an annual Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator (HI GPI) report to the state Legislature starting in 2027. The report must be delivered no later than thirty days before each regular legislative session and will provide a holistic assessment of the state's economic, social, and environmental well-being beyond traditional GDP metrics. The resolution specifies that the report should include an executive summary, detailed indicator results across economic, social, and environmental categories, methodology explanations, policy implications, and supporting data appendices. Additionally, the department is asked to make the report available online and send copies to relevant legislative committee chairs. This requirement aims to enhance legislative oversight and inform policy decisions with broader measures of societal progress.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 197: ESTABLISHING A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE PREFECTURE OF YAMAGATA, JAPAN.

This bill formally establishes a sister-state relationship between Hawaii and Yamagata Prefecture in Japan to strengthen existing cultural, economic, and educational ties. It encourages collaboration in areas such as agriculture, culinary arts, sustainable tourism, clean energy, and workforce development through pilot programs and memoranda of understanding. The resolution directs state officials to work with Japanese counterparts to expand trade opportunities, promote cultural exchange, and support community initiatives benefiting residents and businesses in both regions.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 126: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING STATE-OWNED OR STATE-CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE AND LOGISTICS FACILITIES NEAR PORTS, HARBORS, AND AIRPORTS TO REDUCE MATERIAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLICLY FINANCED HOUSING PROJECTS.

This bill requests the Department of Transportation and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to form a working group that will study whether the state should own or control warehouses and logistics facilities near ports, harbors, and airports. The goal is to lower material costs for publicly funded housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency and reducing transportation expenses caused by Hawaii's reliance on imported building materials. The working group will examine potential sites, analyze cost savings from bulk purchasing, evaluate public-private partnerships, and determine if any new laws are needed to implement the recommendations. The group must include representatives from transportation, housing agencies, contractors, and legislative committees, and will submit its findings to the legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 10: URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ESTABLISH A PERMANENT LANDFILL HOST BENEFITS PROGRAM AND PROGRAM ADVISORY GROUP.

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 10) urges the City and County of Honolulu to create a permanent program compensating communities hosting landfills and establish a community-led advisory group. It specifically addresses health and financial burdens faced by residents near landfills, including increased asthma risks, medical costs, and home repairs due to dust pollution. The resolution cites a 2022 committee recommendation to formalize these benefits, building on past annual funding (2006-2009) for the Leeward Coast community. It does not create new law but formally requests Honolulu to implement these measures to support affected neighborhoods.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 11: REQUESTING THE STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON INCREASING ACCESS TO STABLE, SUITABLE, AND AFFORDABLE FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

This House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 11) requests the Board of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to prepare a report addressing facility access challenges for Hawaii's public charter schools. The report must assess why unused state facilities haven't been identified for charter schools, propose policy changes to connect schools with underutilized spaces (including low-enrollment public schools), and evaluate financing options - such as tax-exempt bonds - to secure stable, suitable, and affordable facilities. The resolution directly affects Hawaii's growing charter school sector, which serves over 1,300 students and currently faces significant challenges operating in temporary or inadequate spaces.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 13: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

HCR 13 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to develop a student-led Coral Stewardship Program. The program would focus on educating students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding chemicals like oxybenzone) at state beaches, using student volunteers for outreach and educational materials. It emphasizes voluntary, non-enforcement activities informed by scientific research, building on existing efforts like Act 104 (2018), which restricted harmful sunscreens. DLNR must report to the Legislature by 2027 on collaborative efforts and any needed policy recommendations.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 26: URGING THE HAWAIʻI STATE ETHICS COMMISSION TO RECOGNIZE AND AFFIRM THE EXEMPTION OF CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT AND CUSTOMARY GIFTS FROM GIFT RESTRICTIONS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS UNDER CHAPTER 84, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 26) supports a request by the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group for additional time and resources to complete its work during fiscal year 2026-2027. The Working Group, established to protect Native Hawaiian cultural assets from misappropriation, needs more time for community consultations to develop culturally appropriate solutions. The resolution affirms the state’s constitutional duty to preserve Native Hawaiian rights and aligns with efforts to maintain cultural authenticity in Hawaii’s $5.6 billion creative industries sector. It does not create new law but formally endorses the Working Group’s resource and timeline needs.

Bill results