Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1254: RELATING TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS.

SB 1254 prohibits current employees of the University of Hawaii and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii from serving on the University's Board of Regents. This bill directly affects active staff at these institutions by preventing them from holding governing board positions. The key provision is a clear ban on current employees serving on the Board of Regents, aiming to separate operational staff from the board's oversight role. The bill focuses on the structural relationship between university employees and the governing body, without altering other board functions or responsibilities.

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1437: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

Establishes a general excise tax exemption on the gross proceeds or gross income received from sales of commodities or services that benefit nonprofit schools. Effective 1/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 751: RELATING TO ORGANIC WASTE.

Establishes statewide goals for solid waste reduction and organic waste diversion. Requires each county to incorporate into its next integrated solid waste management plan revision a plan to divert certain organic waste generated within the county in alignment with established state benchmarks. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1257: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL CRIME.

Establishes a permanent Agricultural Crimes Task Force to address the issue of agricultural crime in the State. Establishes the offense of agricultural crime to increase penalties for committing certain property crimes on agricultural property. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 151: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Establishes a permitted interaction group within the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to continue geophysical data collection, investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian home lands. Authorizes DHHL to hire consultants. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 283: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

SB 283 proposes increasing penalties for bribery offenses under specific circumstances, directly affecting individuals accused of bribery involving public officials or government actions. The bill would establish higher fines and longer prison sentences for bribery cases meeting defined conditions, such as when public funds or contracts are involved. This is a substantive policy change, not a procedural measure, and remains pending committee review (deferred to February 12, 2025). The bill has not yet been enacted into law and is currently under consideration in the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 992: RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to establish state goals and implement projects to promote economic diversification through innovation and technology. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds to the Small Business Innovation Research Program, Manufacturing Assistance Program, and Accelerator and Small Business Training Programs. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 474: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.

Requires clinical psychologists employed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to obtain licensure within five years from the date of employment. Sunsets on 7/1/2030. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1331: RELATING TO THE LAND STUDY BUREAU SOIL RATING SYSTEM.

Requires the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, in coordination with other agencies, to update the soil data used in the land study bureau soil rating system and create a mechanism for regular soil data updates. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1266: RELATING TO BURIAL SITES.

Establishes an inter-division program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources consisting of certain agencies to address the location, movement, and restoration of Hawaiian burial sites or ‘iwi, exposed or likely to be exposed by coastal erosion. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 101: RELATING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL TUITION.

Requires graduates of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine who have paid in-state tuition to serve as a physician in the State for at least 2 years following their medical residency or fellowship. Begins with the class of 2029. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1289: RELATING TO TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS.

Limits moving violations arising from the operation of a motor vehicle that appear on traffic abstracts to those that resulted in convictions. Requires the Traffic and Emergency Period Violations Bureaus to remove all dismissed moving violations not resulting in a conviction from certified abstracts. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results