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Hawaii Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 53,153 Active 37,441 In committee 35,403 Passed 13,465 Signed 1,935 Failed 186

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2002: RELATING TO WATER.

Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources a working group to evaluate and make recommendations regarding the governance and structure of the Commission on Water Resource Management to ensure that it effectively fulfills its constitutional public trust responsibilities while maintaining operational efficiency and implementation capacity. Sunsets the working group on 1/1/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2908: RELATING TO PERMITTING.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, in collaboration with a county selected by the Department, to develop an artificial intelligence-assisted pre-compliance intake pilot platform, subject to a matching funds requirement for the county. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a policy or metric to measure the success of the pilot platform. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2981: RELATING TO LAND USE.

This bill prohibits counties from requiring minimum parking spaces for certain developments starting July 1, 2027. The law applies to local governments that currently enforce parking mandates for new construction projects. The restriction remains in effect until July 1, 3000, giving it a very long-term duration. The measure aims to give developers more flexibility in designing parking solutions without being forced to meet specific minimum requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 136: URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO RESTORE THE PRIOR FORMAT, ORGANIZATION, AND SUBSTANTIVE COMPLETENESS OF THE COUNTRY REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES.

This Senate resolution from Hawaii urges the U.S. Department of State to restore the previous format and content of its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The bill directly affects the State Department and international observers who rely on these reports to monitor human rights conditions globally. It calls for the inclusion of previously covered topics such as prison conditions, corruption, restrictions on speech and assembly, and other abuses that were reportedly reduced in recent versions. The resolution emphasizes that comprehensive reporting is essential for accountability and transparency in documenting human rights violations worldwide.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 78: ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO EXPAND THE HAWAIIAN IMMERSION PROGRAM.

This Senate Resolution encourages the Hawaii Department of Education to expand Hawaiian language immersion programs in partnership with the Office of Hawaiian Education. It addresses growing demand for these programs by urging the creation of teacher training pathways and the implementation of K-12 instruction across various school districts based on data-driven needs analysis. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law, directing state education officials to consider expansion efforts within available funding constraints.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 121: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO INCREASE PENALTIES AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS FOR DOG ATTACKS ON LIVESTOCK.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks state agencies to strengthen penalties and enforcement for dog attacks on livestock. It directly affects livestock producers in Hawaii who face financial losses when their animals are harmed by uncontrolled dogs. The bill does not create new laws but formally requests the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Department of Law Enforcement to review and increase penalties and enforcement measures for these incidents. The resolution is intended to address the economic and emotional impacts livestock producers experience from dog attacks.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 88: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION TO ESTABLISH A COORDINATED DATA ENTRY SYSTEM FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION AND COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND PROSECUTORS TO TRACK THE STATUS OF DETAINEES INCARCERATED IN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to create a shared data system that allows county police departments and prosecutors to track the status of detainees held in state correctional facilities. The bill aims to address current inconsistencies in how different agencies record and report information about detainees, which can hinder effective oversight and access to rehabilitative programs. If implemented, the system would require DCR to report on its progress, estimated costs, and the number of participating agencies to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution serves as a formal request rather than a law, directing the department to study the feasibility of establishing the coordinated data entry system.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 148: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CREATE A PLAN THAT REMOVES CARCINOGENS FROM SCHOOL MEALS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to develop a plan for removing processed meats from school meals by 2032 or replacing them with healthier alternatives. The bill directly affects students and school food service providers by asking for an inventory of current menus, a timeline for transitioning to whole-foods or plant-based options, nutritional standards for replacements, and an analysis of associated costs. It is a procedural request rather than a law, meaning it asks the state agency to create a plan and report back to the Legislature by 2027 without mandating immediate changes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 39: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO SPONSOR A MICHELIN GUIDE FOR RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to sponsor a Michelin Guide for restaurants throughout the state. The bill aims to bring the internationally recognized star-rating system to Hawaii, which currently does not have a Michelin Guide despite its growing culinary reputation. By establishing this guide, the resolution hopes to attract more diners, help restaurants improve their standards, and address the shortage of culinary staff by making Hawaii a more appealing destination for food professionals. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism would be responsible for coordinating with Michelin to implement this initiative.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 92: URGING THE COUNTIES TO INTEGRATE THE SAFE SYSTEM APPROACH INTO ROAD AND TRANSPORTATION DESIGN, ESPECIALLY WHEN REDUCING OR ELIMINATING OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS, TO INCREASE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's counties to adopt the Safe System Approach in road and transportation design, particularly when reducing or eliminating off-street parking requirements. The bill aims to improve pedestrian safety by encouraging the use of proven safety measures like enhanced crosswalk visibility, pedestrian refuge islands, and bicycle lanes. It addresses concerns that removing off-street parking requirements has led to increased on-street parking, which obstructs sidewalks and forces pedestrians to walk on roadways. The resolution also emphasizes balancing infrastructure investments with the transportation needs of all residents, including blue-collar workers and elderly or disabled individuals.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 142: REQUESTING THE THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AMEND ITS INTERNAL RULES TO ELIMINATE THE FORMAL VOTE OPTION OF "WITH RESERVATIONS".

This Senate resolution asks the next Hawaii Legislature to remove the "with reservations" voting option from its rules, which currently allows legislators to express partial support for a measure. The proposal would require lawmakers to vote either "aye" or "no" on bills, eliminating the ability to formally record a vote that counts as favorable while simultaneously indicating dissent. Currently, Hawaii is the only state legislature that permits this third voting option, which the resolution argues lets legislators avoid taking a clear stance on policies. If adopted, the change would apply to both the Senate and House of Representatives for the 2027 legislative session.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 128: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN FINANCIAL LITERACY, CREDIT READINESS, AND HOMEOWNERSHIP PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS.

This bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to expand and strengthen programs focused on financial literacy, credit readiness, and homeownership preparedness for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution asks the department to partner with financial educators, credit counselors, and lenders to provide pre-award education, post-award support, culturally responsive materials, and to explore additional funding sources. The department is also required to submit a detailed report to the Legislature by early 2027 outlining program improvements, participant numbers, and measurable outcomes related to lease stability and credit improvement.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Housing