Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 5: 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 Hawaii House Resolution (HR 5) affirms that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care - including abortion services when medically necessary - to stabilize pregnant patients under the federal EMTALA law. It directly supports Hawaii hospitals and emergency providers, reinforcing their existing practice of offering such care without delay. The resolution urges all hospitals in Hawaii, including religiously affiliated ones, to continue following EMTALA’s requirement to provide necessary emergency treatment regardless of patient circumstances. It does not create new law but clarifies Hawaii’s commitment to upholding federal emergency care standards, addressing confusion from recent shifts in federal guidance. The resolution aims to strengthen public confidence in emergency care access for pregnant people across the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Adrian Tam (D) Mike Lee (D) Kanani Souza (R) Gregg Takayama (D) Terez Amato (D)

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 2761: RELATING TO SOCIAL MEDIA.

Requires a digital application store provider to verify the age of users, require parental consent for users under sixteen years of age to download or purchase, or make a purchase on, a social media platform, and distribute that information to social media platforms. Requires social media platforms to obtain the age information from digital application store providers, determine whether parental consent has been provided for young persons, and take reasonable steps to identify young person users through their algorithms. Effective 1/1/2077. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 2325: RELATING TO JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

Authorizes a court to modify sentences imposed on juvenile offenders if certain conditions are met and the court finds that, after considering certain factors, the defendant is not a danger to the safety of any person or the community and the modification is in the interests of justice. Establishes procedures, provides for hearings and representation by counsel, and authorizes appellate review. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1603: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PARK LEASES.

Repeals the requirement for land covered by an agricultural park lease with a remaining term of fifteen years or less to be located in a county having a population of less than five hundred thousand in order for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend the lease. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

GM 798: Informing the Senate that on March 31, 2026, the Governor has withdrawn KUʻULEIALOHA SANTOS, Gubernatorial Nominee to the Land Use Commission, from consideration by the Senate (GM758).

This bill formally notifies the Senate that Governor Josh Green has withdrawn his nomination of Ku'uleialoha Santos for the Land Use Commission. The action responds to a previous request and removes Santos from consideration for the position, which was set to expire on June 30, 2030. By submitting this message, the Governor adheres to the state constitution's requirements for handling gubernatorial appointments. The measure does not alter the commission's operations but simply updates the Senate's records regarding the vacancy.

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 208: COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE CANDIDATES AND DISTINGUISHED FINALISTS FOR THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF HAWAIʻI 2026 YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARDS.

This House Resolution commends and congratulates the candidates and finalists for the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi 2026 Youth of the Year Awards. The bill recognizes the achievements of specific youth who have demonstrated leadership, academic excellence, and community service. It also acknowledges the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi for providing a safe environment for over fifteen thousand children across ten locations statewide.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

GM 799: Informing the Senate that on March 31, 2026, the Governor has withdrawn ROGER BABCOCK, JR., Gubernatorial Nominee to the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants, from consideration by the Senate (GM527).

This bill formally notifies the Senate that Governor Josh Green has withdrawn the nomination of Roger Babcock, Jr. from the position of Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. The action follows a request made by the Governor and is based on provisions in the Hawaii State Constitution regarding gubernatorial appointments. As a result, Babcock will no longer be considered for this specific appointment, which would have been valid until June 30, 2029. The document serves as an official administrative record of the withdrawal rather than establishing new policy.

died · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

GM 758: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Land Use Commission, Gubernatorial Nominee, KUʻULEIALOHA SANTOS, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

This bill nominates Ku'uleialoha Santos for a position on the Hawaii Land Use Commission, a state agency that reviews and approves land use matters. The nomination is submitted by Governor Josh Green and requires confirmation by the state Senate before Santos can assume the role. If confirmed, Santos would serve on the commission until June 30, 2030, participating in the agency's work on land use planning and development. The bill is a standard administrative procedure to fill a public office and does not create new laws or policies.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SCR 37: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF CREATING AN OFFICE OF THE STATE ARCHITECT.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Accounting and General Services in Hawaii to study the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the State Architect to oversee state construction projects. The proposed office would be led by a licensed State Architect responsible for reviewing all design plans, ensuring compliance with building codes, and assigning inspectors to construction sites. The study must analyze staffing needs, potential fees for design review services, and whether to require design approvals for traditional projects while exempting design-build and public-private partnership projects. If the study finds the office beneficial, the resolution asks the department to submit findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SR 64: REQUESTING THE STATE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE HAWAII STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

This Senate Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Hawaii State Building Code Council, a state agency responsible for adopting and maintaining statewide building codes. The audit will examine the Council's effectiveness, including its three-year code update cycle, impact on regulatory consistency among counties, and influence on construction costs and housing production. Key areas of review include whether the Council provides measurable public safety benefits, the implications of its inactivity since September 2023, and whether counties should instead manage and fund the code adoption process. The State Auditor will consult with relevant state and county agencies, industry stakeholders, and other departments before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SR 36: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF CREATING AN OFFICE OF THE STATE ARCHITECT.

This Senate Resolution asks the Department of Accounting and General Services to study the costs and benefits of creating an Office of the State Architect within the state government. The proposed office would be led by a licensed architect responsible for reviewing all state construction projects to ensure they meet building codes and safety standards. The study will analyze specific requirements such as reviewing design plans, issuing approvals for traditional construction projects, assigning inspectors to observe construction work, and determining staffing needs. The department must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, which could inform future legislation on establishing this new office.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SR 114: REQUESTING EACH STATE AGENCY TO PROVIDE THE AFFECTED PERSON WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BEFORE TAKING ANY FINAL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION THAT MATERIALLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTS A PROTECTED LIBERTY OR PROPERTY INTEREST.

This Senate Resolution requests that Hawaii state agencies provide written notice to individuals before taking final administrative actions that significantly affect their rights or property. The notice must explain the proposed action, cite the legal basis for it, inform the person of their right to request a hearing or appeal, and specify relevant deadlines. Additionally, the resolution encourages agencies to delay implementing adverse actions while appeals are pending and to maintain impartial decision-making processes. It also urges agencies to cover financial costs from due process violations using their own budgets rather than state general funds, and to report such expenditures in annual budget submissions.

Bill results