Hawaii Bills

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SCR 122: 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 Concurrent Resolution requests that all Hawaii state agencies provide written notice to individuals before taking final administrative actions that negatively affect their legal rights or property. The notice must explain the proposed action, the reasons behind it, the laws or policies being applied, and inform the person of their right to request a hearing or appeal. Additionally, the resolution encourages agencies to wait until appeals are resolved before implementing adverse actions, unless urgent public safety concerns exist, and to keep investigative and decision-making roles separate to ensure fairness. It also urges agencies to cover financial costs from procedural violations using their own budgets rather than the state's general fund, though this request is not legally binding. The measure aims to improve transparency and accountability in administrative decision-making across state departments.

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 53: RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER TWENTY-EIGHTH AS HAWAII GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY.

This bill designates September 28th as Hawaii Good Neighbor Day, encouraging residents to participate in community-building events that foster connection and strengthen neighborhood ties. The resolution recognizes the importance of social organization and community bonds in reducing crime and promoting asset-based development, where existing community strengths are utilized to mobilize people. It follows the national model established by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, which was later adjusted to September 28th in 2003, and mirrors similar initiatives in cities like San Francisco, Boston, and Phoenix. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition to promote civic engagement and neighborly interaction across the state.

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 93: NOMINATING JOHN D. WAIHEʻE III FOR INDUCTION INTO THE ALOHA ORDER OF MERIT.

This bill nominates former Governor John D. Waihe'e III for induction into the Aloha Order of Merit, a state honor recognizing individuals who have achieved national or international recognition and made extraordinary contributions to Hawaii. The resolution highlights Waihe'e's historic role as the first Native Hawaiian governor, his leadership in advancing education, health care, and economic development, and his ongoing civic engagement. By passing this resolution, the House formally recommends Waihe'e for the award, with copies sent to the Governor and the Aloha Order of Merit Committee for further consideration.

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 43: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUNDATIONS IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID TO GRADUATES AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOLS.

This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to help public high schools create foundations that provide scholarships and financial aid to graduates while also supporting the schools themselves. The bill directs the department to offer a statewide program that guides school foundation organizers through complex tasks like setting up nonprofit status, writing charters and bylaws, and managing finances and technology. It specifically aims to help schools that currently lack these foundations, building on earlier legislative efforts from 2012 that saw limited progress. The resolution clarifies that the Department of Education would assist with setup but would not oversee or manage the foundations once they are established.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HCR 47: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUNDATIONS IN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID TO GRADUATES AND PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOLS.

This House Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to help public high schools create foundations that provide scholarships and financial aid to graduates while also supporting school funding needs. The bill aims to assist schools in navigating the complex process of establishing nonprofit organizations by offering guidance on legal requirements, financial management, and technology needs. It specifically asks the department to create a statewide resource development program to help school organizers overcome barriers to foundation establishment, though the Department of Education would not oversee the foundations once they are created. The resolution highlights that only a few schools currently have such foundations and seeks to expand this support across the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 49: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BOARD OF REGENTS TO CONDUCT A SYSTEMWIDE ASSOCIATE DEGREE COMPLETION AUDIT.

This bill requests the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to conduct a systemwide audit to identify students who have earned enough credits for an associate degree but have not been awarded one. The audit will focus on students who transferred from community colleges to four-year campuses or those who started at four-year campuses and left before completing their degrees. The university is asked to examine administrative barriers, transfer patterns, and financial factors that may prevent these students from receiving their credentials. The Board of Regents must submit findings and recommendations for establishing degree award pathways to the Legislature by March 2027. This resolution does not directly award degrees but initiates a review process to potentially create new policies for recognizing earned academic credits.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 112: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK TO REGULATE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES UNDER THE MOTOR CARRIER LAW.

This House Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Transportation and Public Utilities Commission to create a plan for regulating ride-sharing companies under the state's existing Motor Carrier Law. The bill targets transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft, which currently operate without the same regulations as traditional taxi services. The agencies must develop a regulatory framework and submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026. This resolution does not immediately change laws but directs officials to study how to apply current safety and operational rules to modern ride-sharing platforms.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SCR 76: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BIOMARKER TESTING.

This bill requests the State Auditor to evaluate the social and financial impacts of a separate law that requires health insurance plans to cover biomarker testing for diagnosing and treating diseases. The assessment will examine how mandating coverage for this type of personalized medical testing affects patients, healthcare providers, and insurance costs. The Auditor must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session. This procedural measure ensures the mandated coverage requirement is reviewed before it takes effect, following state law requirements for such health insurance mandates.

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SCR 150: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO OBTAIN A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE EXEMPTION FROM THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR REGISTERED MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS AND REGISTRATION WAIVERS FOR STATE-LICENSED DISPENSARIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Governor to request a federal exemption from the Drug Enforcement Administration for Hawaii's registered medical cannabis patients and to seek registration waivers for state-licensed dispensaries. The bill aims to resolve the conflict between Hawaii's state medical cannabis program and federal law, which currently classifies cannabis as an illegal Schedule I substance. By pursuing these exemptions and waivers, the resolution seeks to protect patients from federal prosecution and allow dispensaries to operate with full banking and tax compliance. It also directs the Department of Health to report progress to the Legislature and sends copies of the resolution to federal officials and state agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HCR 50: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO ESTABLISH A DESTINATION MANAGEMENT TASK FORCE.

This bill requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to create a Destination Management Task Force to improve how Hawaii manages tourism impacts. The task force will include representatives from the state legislature, county mayors, the governor's office, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the visitor industry. Its main duties are to review the tourism authority's strategic plan, enhance coordination between state and county agencies, and develop partnerships to better manage crowded tourist areas. The group must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SCR 108: AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF THREE PERPETUAL, NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENTS COVERING PORTIONS OF STATE SUBMERGED LANDS AT WAIALAE, HONOLULU, OAHU, FOR EXISTING DRAINAGE PURPOSES, AND FOR USE, OPERATION, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTED THEREON.

This bill authorizes the issuance of three perpetual, non-exclusive easements on state-owned submerged land in Waialae, Honolulu, to allow a resort company to maintain existing drainage infrastructure. The easements cover approximately 12,700 square feet and grant the company the right to use, operate, repair, and maintain drainage outfalls that extend from the Kahala Hotel onto state land. A one-time payment based on fair market value will be determined by an independent appraisal and approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The resolution requires approval from the Governor and the Legislature to comply with state law governing the use of submerged state lands.

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 189: REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO RETURN TO THE STATE ALL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES ON HAWAII PUBLIC LANDS THAT ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR THE DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING FORT DERUSSY AND THE HALE KOA HOTEL, PURSUANT TO THE HAWAII ADMISSION ACT, AND AS FURTHER REQUIRED BY PUBLIC LAW 88-233.

This House Resolution requests the President of the United States to return recreational facilities on Hawaii public lands, specifically Fort DeRussy and the Hale Koa Hotel, to the State of Hawaii. The bill relies on the Hawaii Admission Act and Public Law 88-233, which require federal agencies to report whether retained crown and government lands are still needed for defense purposes. If the President determines these lands are no longer required for military defense, they must be conveyed back to the state. The resolution argues that the facilities currently operate as commercial hotels and recreation centers rather than active military installations, making them surplus to federal defense needs.

Bill results