Hawaii Bills | MyRepTracker

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 17: STRONGLY SUPPORTING THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI'S EFFORTS TO DEVELOP THE KEALAKEHE REGIONAL PARK PROJECT.

This Senate Resolution (SR 17) expresses the Hawaii State Senate's strong support for the County of Hawai'i's development of the Kealakehe Regional Park project. The resolution urges the county to secure funding, collaborate with community groups, and report progress by 2027. It directly affects the County of Hawai'i and benefits the West Hawai'i community by supporting a planned 190-acre park featuring athletic fields, cultural spaces, and recreational facilities. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally endorses the project's goals to address growing community needs for accessible recreation.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 21: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION'S EAST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A RURAL HEALTH CLINIC OR COMPARABLE RURAL HEALTH ACCESS POINT TO SERVE THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 21) requests the Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation's East Hawai'i Regional Health Care System to study establishing a rural health clinic or similar access point in Volcano, Hawaii. The resolution directly affects Volcano residents and visitors, who currently lack nearby primary care, emergency stabilization, and consistent medical services due to geographic isolation and hazards. The study must examine potential sites, operational models (like part-time care or telehealth), staffing, costs, partnerships with local groups, and benefits for emergency response and chronic care. The East Hawai'i Region must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 18: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION'S EAST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A RURAL HEALTH CLINIC OR COMPARABLE RURAL HEALTH ACCESS POINT TO SERVE THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY.

This Senate Resolution (SR 18) requests the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation's East Hawaiʻi Regional Health Care System to study establishing a rural health clinic in Volcano, Hawaiʻi. It directly affects Volcano residents - who currently lack nearby primary care, emergency services, and face geographic barriers - and visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The study must examine potential clinic sites, operational models (like part-time care or mobile clinics), costs, staffing, and partnerships with local groups. The resolution does not create new services but asks for a feasibility report to be submitted to the Legislature by late 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 19: RECOGNIZING THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RESTORATION OF AHUʻENA HEIAU AND AFFIRMING ITS UNPARALLELED ROLE IN THE SPIRITUAL, POLITICAL, AND CULTURAL HISTORY OF THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution (SR 19) is a ceremonial recognition of the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Ahuʻena Heiau, a historically significant Hawaiian temple site. It affirms the site's role as the religious, political, and cultural center during Kamehameha the Great's reign (1812-1819), where pivotal events like the abolition of the kapu system occurred. The resolution expresses appreciation to community members, cultural practitioners, and organizations (including Ahuʻena Heiau, Inc.) who contributed to the site's preservation. As a commemorative measure, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any group, serving solely to honor the site's historical importance.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 20: STRONGLY SUPPORTING THE COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI'S EFFORTS TO DEVELOP THE KEALAKEHE REGIONAL PARK PROJECT.

SCR 20 is a concurrent resolution expressing the Hawaii State Legislature's support for the County of Hawaiʻi's development of the Kealakehe Regional Park project. The resolution urges the County to secure funding, pursue phased development, and collaborate with community stakeholders, while requiring a progress report to the Legislature by 2027. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally endorses the park project, which aims to provide athletic fields, cultural spaces, and recreational facilities for North Kona residents. The resolution directly affects the County of Hawaiʻi's park planning efforts and community groups supporting the project.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 20: URGING AN IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT CEASEFIRE AND AN END TO HOSTILITIES IN IRAN.

This Senate Resolution (SR 20) requests Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to create a dedicated panel focused on regulating island shipping services (intrastate water carriers) and maritime commerce. It directly affects the PUC, maritime transportation operators, and Hawaii's supply chain by asking for specialized oversight of a system critical to moving essential goods like food, fuel, and medicine between islands. The resolution emphasizes that Hawaii uniquely relies on maritime transport as its core supply chain - unlike most states - and argues that a specialized panel would improve safety, emergency response, and regulatory decisions without changing existing laws. The request aims to strengthen coordination between the PUC and Hawaii's Department of Transportation on maritime operations.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 23: 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.

Senate Resolution 23 expresses the Hawaii Senate's support for the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group's request to extend their timeline and secure additional resources for fiscal year 2026-2027. The Working Group, established to protect Native Hawaiian cultural intellectual property, needs more time for community consultations to develop solutions that prevent cultural appropriation. This resolution affirms the state's constitutional duty (Article XII, Section 7) to preserve Native Hawaiian rights and aligns with efforts to support indigenous self-determination over cultural assets.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 11: URGING THE COUNTIES TO INITIATE A FREEZE ON PRIMARY RESIDENCE PROPERTY TAXES FOR HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER TO CREATE A MORE SECURE FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE IMPACTED POPULATION.

This Senate Resolution (SR 11) urges Hawaii counties to implement a property tax freeze on primary residences for homeowners aged 75 and older. It directly affects senior homeowners in Hawaii, aiming to improve their financial stability amid the state's high cost of living (179 index) and fixed incomes failing to keep pace with inflation. The freeze would apply only to the primary residence and end if the homeowner sells, transfers the property, or no longer owns it. The resolution is non-binding and directs counties to consider this measure, not mandate it.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 9: REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND GENDER IDENTITY IN EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, EDUCATION, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS, CREDIT, AND JURY SERVICE.

This is a Senate resolution (SR 9), not a bill that would become law. It requests the U.S. Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in eight key areas: employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. The resolution cites Hawaii's existing state protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and notes that federal law currently lacks such comprehensive coverage. As a resolution, it does not change any laws but formally urges Congress to take action on the Equality Act.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 10: URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION.

This Senate Resolution (SR 10) urges Hawaii counties to approve or deny building permit applications for home modifications within 45 days of receiving a complete application. The modifications must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider and deemed essential for the safety or health of an older adult (62+) or person with a disability. Key provisions require counties to prioritize these applications - such as installing ramps, grab bars, or widened doorways - to enable aging in place and prevent fall-related injuries. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests counties streamline this process to reduce delays.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 11: REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS LEGISLATION TO AMEND THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND GENDER IDENTITY IN EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, EDUCATION, FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS, CREDIT, AND JURY SERVICE.

This Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 11) requests the U.S. Congress to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to add explicit protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It seeks to prohibit such discrimination in key areas including employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service. The resolution directly affects LGBTQ+ individuals who currently lack comprehensive federal protections in these contexts. Hawaii already provides similar state-level protections (through Act 40, 2022), but this resolution urges federal action to create uniform nationwide safeguards.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 7: AFFIRMING AND SUPPORTING THE REQUIREMENT THAT HOSPITALS PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY CARE TO PREGNANT PEOPLE, INCLUDING REPRODUCTIVE AND ABORTION SERVICES, WHEN SUCH CARE IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO STABILIZE A PATIENT UNDER THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ACTIVE LABOR ACT.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 7) affirms Hawaii's support for hospitals providing emergency medical care - including abortion services - when medically necessary to stabilize pregnant patients under federal law (EMTALA). It directly addresses hospitals in Hawaii, urging all facilities (including religiously affiliated ones) to uphold EMTALA’s requirement to deliver life-saving care for conditions like hemorrhage or ectopic pregnancy. The resolution responds to recent federal policy shifts causing confusion about EMTALA’s application, reinforcing that hospitals must not delay or deny such care. It does not create new legal requirements but formally aligns Hawaii’s healthcare system with existing federal standards.

Topics ✓ Healthcare