Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 3011: RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

Requires the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident's unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions. Prohibits pet animals from being at-large on public housing premises. Provides that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority may charge a refundable deposit for each pet animal but shall not impose a monthly pet fee or pet rent. Allows the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to remove a vicious animal to protect persons or property. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2970: RELATING TO STANDARDS OF CONDUCT.

Repeals the $10,000 value threshold for certain prohibited contracts involving legislators or employees. Prohibits state agencies from contracting to procure or dispose of goods or services, or for construction, with businesses owned, operated, or controlled by relatives or household members of department heads or deputy directors. Requires department heads, acting department heads, and deputy directors of principal state departments to ensure compliance with the Code of Ethics provision governing contracts and provides for liability for violations. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2982: RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

Prohibits foreign nationals, foreign corporations, and foreign-influenced business entities from making contributions, expenditures, electioneering communications, or donations for election purposes. Requires every for-profit business entity that contributes or expends funds in a state election to certify that the entity was not a foreign corporation or foreign-influenced business entity when the contribution or expenditure was made. Specifies that if the conditions that determine whether a business entity qualifies as a foreign‑influenced business entity are held unconstitutional by a final judgment, including all appeals, the Campaign Spending Commission is required to establish revised conditions that are constitutional. Requires noncandidate committees making only independent expenditures to obtain a statement of certification from each top contributor required to be listed in an advertisement avowing that no funds were derived from foreign nationals, foreign corporations, or foreign-influenced business entities. Exempts entities engaged in transporting cargo and subject to section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1965: RELATING TO PRIMARY CARE.

Establishes the Primary Care Providers Working Group within the State Health Planning and Development Agency to address issues relating to, and develop recommendations for the stabilization of, primary care services in Hawaii. Requires the Working Group to make a report to the Legislature. Sunsets the Working Group on 6/30/2027. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SCR 111: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF NO-BID CONTRACTS ISSUED BY STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES UNDER PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING STATES OF EMERGENCY DURING THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2020, AND DECEMBER 31, 2025.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to review no-bid contracts issued by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will examine how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods. This review aims to identify inconsistencies in emergency procurement practices and provide recommendations for potential legal reforms. The Auditor must submit findings and suggestions to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SR 104: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF NO-BID CONTRACTS ISSUED BY STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES UNDER PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING STATES OF EMERGENCY DURING THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2020, AND DECEMBER 31, 2025.

This Senate Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct an audit of no-bid contracts issued by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will examine how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods. The Auditor is asked to review these practices to identify potential reforms and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure does not change existing laws but instead seeks oversight and transparency regarding emergency procurement processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 24, 2026

HR 206: COMMENDING AND HONORING ROBERT "BOB" TOYOFUKU FOR HIS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO HAWAIʻI'S LEGAL COMMUNITY.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally commends and honors Robert "Bob" Toyofuku for his decades of service to Hawaii's legal community. The resolution recognizes his contributions as an educator and mentor, including his work establishing continuing legal education programs at the University of Hawaii's law school and founding the Pacific Law Institute. It highlights his efforts to train attorneys through seminars on legal ethics and dispute resolution, as well as his analysis of appellate court decisions to support professional development. The measure is a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than a policy change, and it does not alter any laws or regulations.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

GM 725: Submitting for consideration and confirmation as Associate Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals, Gubernatorial Appointee, DANIEL M. GLUCK, for a term to expire in 10 years.

This is a procedural submission, not a legislative bill. Governor Green has formally nominated Daniel M. Gluck for appointment as Associate Judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term, as required by Hawaii's Constitution. The nomination is now submitted to the Senate for its "advice and consent" before confirmation. This process follows standard judicial appointment procedures and does not change any laws or policies.

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 1414: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Authorizes the head of a procurement agency to award a contract to a bidder who is not the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, for procurements conducted by competitive sealed bidding, if the head of the procuring agency determines that the award is most beneficial to taxpayers or otherwise in the best interests of the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2147: RELATING TO LOVE MY LIBRARY DAY.

SB 2147 designates the first Friday in February each year as "Love My Library Day" in the state. This bill creates a symbolic annual observance to recognize public libraries and their role in communities. It does not establish new programs, funding, or legal requirements - only a designated day for awareness. The bill was introduced on January 14, 2026, and passed its first reading on January 21, 2026. As a commemorative resolution, it directly affects the public through symbolic recognition, not policy changes.

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 1832: RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Requires the establishment of a biological aquatic risk-based framework for assessment and approval of aquatic livestock importation and movement. Authorizes the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt rules implementing species risk categorization, tiered biocontainment standards, per-arrival disease testing, and interagency coordination procedures. Establishes an interagency working group. Requires development of species-specific risk matrices, interagency working group coordination with automatic permit approval timelines, and performance accountability. Establishes an implementation timeline. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2250: RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Amends the offense of promoting a controlled substance in, on, or near schools, school vehicles, public parks, or public housing projects or complexes to include homeless facilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results