Hawaii Bills

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2031: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes the Administrative Hearings Division within the Department of Transportation and transfers certain administrative hearing powers to the Division, including matters related to transportation network company permit appeals, automated red light camera and speed enforcement traffic citations, and commercial driver's license appeals. Specifies that a person aggrieved by an administrative decision related to red light camera and speed enforcement traffic citations may petition for judicial review. Allows authorized employees of the Department of Law Enforcement to review images produced by the automated red light camera and speed enforcement systems. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Cory Chun (D) Sean Quinlan (D) Adrian Tam (D) Luke Evslin (D) Lisa Kitagawa (D)

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2604: RELATING TO PERFORMING ARTS.

HB 2604 would add a small surcharge to the price of tickets for certain live performing arts events held in the state, such as theater, dance, or music performances. This fee would directly affect ticket buyers attending those specific events. The bill establishes a new fee structure where the surcharge is collected by the ticket seller and added to the final ticket price. The exact amount and specific event types covered aren't detailed in the provided abstract, but the surcharge applies only to events occurring within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2047: RELATING TO THE AHA MOKU ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

Amends the process for the hiring of the Executive Director of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee. Specifies that the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for the appointment, oversight, and administrative authority over the Executive Director of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee. Requires any formal position, recommendation, or advisory action of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee to be adopted at a duly noticed public meeting at which a quorum is present. Amends the reporting requirements of the Aha Moku Advisory Committee. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

died · Hawaii · Senate Mar 23, 2026

GM 571: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Commission on the Status of Women, Gubernatorial Nominee, MARISA ADARO, for a term to expire 06-30-2029.

This is a procedural nomination, not a policy bill. Governor Green has submitted Marisa Adaro's nomination for confirmation to serve on the Commission on the Status of Women, with her term set to expire June 30, 2029. The Senate must now consider and vote on this appointment. The nomination directly affects the Commission's membership and requires Senate confirmation per Hawaii's Constitution.

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 3334: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes a cap on the total number of superintendent-level positions within the Department of Education. Defines "superintendent-level position". Requires the Board of Education to conduct a written performance evaluation of each complex area superintendent every 2 years. Appropriates moneys for 2 Deputy Superintendent positions within the Office of the Superintendent. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 1873: RELATING TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Exempts one six-hour strategic planning retreat of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii per year from open meeting requirements if certain conditions are met. Requires members of the Board of Regents to complete a governance training and attend the training at least once every two years thereafter. Requires the Candidate Advisory Council to ensure that all candidates presented to the Governor for nomination have certain subject matter experience and are not registered lobbyists who have lobbied on matters pertaining to the University of Hawaii. Exempts the financial disclosures of the Board of Regents as mandated by the State Ethics Code from being made public. Requires the Board of Regents, in collaboration with the Candidate Advisory Council, to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 1921: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Allows an existing cesspool that lawfully serves a single dwelling or dwelling unit in a priority level 3 area to continue serving that dwelling or dwelling unit and additional bedrooms constructed on the same parcel and within the existing dwelling or dwelling unit, subject to certain conditions. Authorizes the Department of Health to adopt rules and restrict additional bedrooms where evidence demonstrates that continued cesspool use impacts water quality or human health. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

signed · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2240: MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE AUDITOR, THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU, THE OMBUDSMAN, AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION.

HB 2240 provides funding to cover operating expenses for five specific state offices: the Legislature, the Auditor, the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Ombudsman, and the Ethics Commission. This procedural bill allocates budget resources to support these entities' day-to-day functions without changing laws or creating new policies. It directly affects these government offices by ensuring they have financial resources to operate. The bill is currently in the early committee referral stage (referred to Finance on January 30, 2026).

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 1985: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

PART II: Allows certain extensions of the deadline for cesspool conversions. Establishes a goal for the Department of Health to prioritize the upgrade, conversion, or connection of cesspools that pose the highest risk to human health or the environment. PART III: Authorizes and appropriates funds to the Department of Health to retain qualified consultants as necessary to identify necessary public outreach and education resources and tools and develop a comprehensive public outreach strategy and website to educate property owners and wastewater industry professionals about information and resources regarding the State's cesspool upgrade, conversion, and connection requirements and deadlines. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

GM 775: Informing the Senate that on 03-19-2026, the Governor has withdrawn DAWN RAYMOND, Gubernatorial Nominee to the Hawaiʻi Teacher Standards Board, from consideration by the Senate (GM653).

This bill is a procedural message from the Governor to the Senate announcing the withdrawal of DAWN Raymond's nomination for the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. It does not create new laws or policy changes but simply informs the Senate that the Governor is removing her name from consideration for the position. The action affects only the nomination process for this specific board appointment and does not impact any existing policies or the qualifications of other candidates.

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 20, 2026

HR 204: CONGRATULATING THE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH PLACE TEAMS AT THE 2026 HAWAIʻI LIFESMARTS STATE COMPETITION.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally congratulates four high school teams for their top placements at the 2026 Hawaiʻi LifeSmarts State Competition. It recognizes the first-place team from ʻIolani School, second place from Kāneʻohe High School, third place from Waiʻanae High School, and fourth place from Waiʻanae High School for their achievements in a student competition focused on personal finance, consumer rights, health, safety, technology, and environmental knowledge. The resolution expresses appreciation for the students and coaches who participated and wishes them continued success in future endeavors.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 1582: RELATING TO THE COCONUT TREE.

SB 1582 symbolically recognizes the coconut palm as a culturally significant plant and sustainable staple food source in the State. The bill does not create new policies or affect any specific group; it is purely a ceremonial acknowledgment. Its provisions consist solely of this recognition statement, with an effective date set for July 1, 3000. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legislative impact or implementation mechanisms.

Bill results