Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 144: RELATING TO CHIROPRACTIC.

Beginning 7/1/2027, allows chiropractic students enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a qualified licensed chiropractor. Requires the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Jarrett Keohokalole (D) Karl Rhoads (D) Troy Hashimoto (D) Henry Aquino (D) Stanley Chang (D) · 2 co-sponsors

passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 974: RELATING TO ENERGY.

Requires the Department of Budget and Finance to enter into step-in agreements for payment obligations arising under certain power purchase agreements. Establishes the Power Purchase Costs Trust Fund. Establishes that money collected from on-bill charges for power purchase agreements and money received from a surcharge supporting a reserve account that are deposited in the Trust Fund shall be held in trust by the State, and that independent power producers shall hold a beneficial interest in the moneys to the extent of the amounts owed under the covered power purchase agreements. Appoints, authorizes, and empowers an electric utility to serve as the billing, collection, and payment agent of the Department of Budget and Finance in the service of performing step-in agreements. (SD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1006: RELATING TO THE AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Includes agricultural tourism in the definition of "enterprise" to authorize the Agribusiness Development Corporation to financially support farming businesses engaged in agricultural tourism. Transfers the Agricultural Development Division of the Department of Agriculture to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1389: RELATING TO FERAL ANIMALS.

Appropriates funds to the City and County of Honolulu for the expansion of the feral chicken program and the Vector Control Branch of the Department of Health for a statewide education campaign for the feeding of feral animals. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1473: RELATING TO CENTRAL SERVICES ASSESSMENT.

Amends the transfer of funds for central service expenses from the State Highway Fund, Airport Revenue Fund, and Harbor Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1481: RELATING TO MOTORCYCLE INSTRUCTION PERMITS.

Starting on July 1, 2026, requires all applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to successfully complete a basic motorcycle rider course approved by the Department of Transportation before becoming eligible for the permit. Designates exemptions for certain drivers on an enclosed training course. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1043: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 1043 reduces the general excise tax rate on nonprescription drugs by 50%. This change directly affects consumers who purchase nonprescription medications, lowering their out-of-pocket costs. The bill's key provision is halving the existing tax rate, effective July 1, 3000. It does not alter other tax rates or create new government programs. The bill passed a committee recommendation with four supportive votes in February 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 378: RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Establishes a working group within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to identify existing mixed-use developments in Maui County that could be acquired by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation for use as affordable housing and commercial rental leases. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 500: RELATING TO COFFEE LABELING.

SB 500 sets clear labeling and advertising rules for coffee grown and processed entirely within the state, directly affecting local coffee producers and businesses selling such products. It defines "regional origin" to specify where coffee beans are sourced and processed, ensuring consumers receive accurate geographic information on labels. The bill requires producers to meet these new labeling standards for coffee sold in the state, replacing vague or inconsistent current practices. This change aims to provide transparency for shoppers about the origin of their coffee while standardizing requirements for in-state producers.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 746: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Establishes a two-year coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication pilot program in certain areas under the Department of Land and Natural Resources that incentivizes community members to collect and submit the coconut rhinoceros beetle and its larvae for compensation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1172: RELATING TO DEPARTMENTAL DATA SHARING.

Adds the Department of Taxation to the list of state agencies sharing data through the statewide longitudinal data system. Allows the Department of Taxation to provide the University of Hawaii and other state agencies certain wage data. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 251: RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.

Requires the Department of Agriculture to adopt rules and carry out an Invasive Species Placard Program for plant nurseries. Allows a county to adopt an Invasive Species Placard Program if the Department does not adopt the Program within a certain number of years.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results