Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 819: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders and the requirements to obtain the international teacher license. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Education

Karl Rhoads (D) Brandon Elefante (D) Troy Hashimoto (D) Lorraine Inouye (D) Henry Aquino (D)

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 983: RELATING TO CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.

Establishes an alternative pathway to licensure for certified public accountant license applicants by permitting applicants to demonstrate completion of an additional twelve months of professional experience in the practice of public accountancy or completion of no less than an additional thirty semester hours of study. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 338: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Specifies that adjustments required to compensate for certain unavoidable increases in financing costs, if proven by a producer of nonfossil fuel generated electricity by clear and convincing evidence, are mechanisms for reasonable and appropriate incremental adjustments that the Public Utilities Commission may include in the rate payable to the producer. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 867: RELATING TO RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.

Beginning on 6/30/2030, requires all new playgrounds constructed on Department of Education school grounds to include accessible recreational playground equipment as part of the recreational apparatuses. Establishes the Accessible Recreational Playground Equipment Special Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 697: RELATING TO AN INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses paid to retrofit a residence with wind resistive devices. Requires the Department of Taxation to prepare forms. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to pre-certify claims. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Sunsets 1/1/2028. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1197: RELATING TO AIRCRAFT.

Requires the Director of Transportation to adopt rules that require tour aircraft operators to carry aircraft liability insurance coverage. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House May 2, 2025

HCR 121: REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, UNITED STATES ARMY, UNITED STATES NAVY, AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO WORK WITH APPROPRIATE STATE AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES TO EXPAND, PLAN, AND COORDINATE WORK RELATED TO USING KOLEKOLE PASS AS AN EXPANDED EMERGENCY EXIT ROUTE.

HCR 121 is a concurrent resolution requesting the U.S. Department of Defense, Army, Navy, and Hawaii's Department of Transportation to coordinate with state and county agencies to prepare Kolekole Pass as an expanded emergency evacuation route for West Oahu residents. It specifically aims to address limited road access (relying primarily on Farrington Highway) and vulnerability during disasters, building on past military exercises testing the pass's viability. The resolution does not create new law but formally asks federal and state agencies to collaborate on planning, infrastructure improvements, and protocols for civilian use during emergencies like natural disasters or gridlock. It directly affects residents on Oahu's West side, particularly in Nanakuli and vulnerable communities near the Wai‘anae Mountains.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 2, 2025

SCR 12: RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY WEEK.

This resolution recognizes April 21-28, 2025, as International Dark Sky Week in Hawaii. It asks residents to support protecting dark skies and directs the Board of Land and Natural Resources to create a task force to study light pollution. The task force, including state agencies, universities, county mayors, and federal partners, will examine reducing light pollution, conserving energy, protecting wildlife, and developing dark sky parks. The resolution does not create new laws but initiates a study to inform future policies on preserving Hawaii's night skies.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 2, 2025

SCR 86: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE AN AEROMEDICAL SERVICES WORKING GROUP.

SCR 86 is a procedural resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Health to form a working group focused on improving aeromedical services. The group will study gaps in emergency air medical care, particularly in rural areas where access to trauma specialists and timely care is limited, directly affecting residents in counties like Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii. Key provisions require the working group - comprising health officials, emergency management leaders, healthcare associations, and aeromedical providers - to develop recommendations for better protocols, funding, and service stability. The group must submit its final report to the Legislature by June 2025, with the group dissolving on June 30, 2026. This resolution does not enact new law but initiates a process to address systemic challenges in rural emergency medical response.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · House May 2, 2025

HR 218: INFORMING THE SENATE AND GOVERNOR THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS READY TO ADJOURN SINE DIE.

This House Resolution formally informs the Senate and Governor that the Hawaii House of Representatives is prepared to end its 2025 legislative session permanently (adjourn sine die). It requires certified copies of the resolution to be sent to the Senate President and Governor as part of standard legislative procedure. The bill does not change laws or affect constituents - it is purely administrative.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 2, 2025

SCR 123: REQUESTING THE JUDICIARY TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO REVIEW THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE TO DETERMINE IF ANY AMENDMENTS OR UPDATES ARE NECESSARY TO IMPROVE LANDLORD-TENANT INTERACTIONS AND ADDRESS OTHER HOUSING ISSUES.

SCR 123 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting Hawaii's Judiciary to convene a three-year working group to study landlord-tenant issues. The group will examine ways to increase rental housing supply, improve interactions between renters and property owners, and identify potential updates to the state's landlord-tenant code. It specifies members including judges, legislators, tenant advocates, property owners, and legal experts, with a report due to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change existing laws but asks for research to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · House May 2, 2025

HR 217: AUTHORIZING AND EMPOWERING THE SPEAKER TO PERFORM AND CARRY OUT ANY OFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS DURING THE INTERIM BETWEEN THE 2025 AND 2026 REGULAR SESSIONS.

HR 217 is a procedural resolution authorizing Hawaii's House Speaker to manage unfinished legislative work between the 2025 and 2026 regular sessions. It grants the Speaker authority to use remaining session funds, hire temporary staff, establish committees for hearings and investigations, and approve committee reports - all to complete legislative tasks by January 21, 2026. The resolution directly affects the Speaker and House staff, enabling them to continue official business during the legislative break. It does not create new policy but streamlines administrative operations. This is a routine procedural measure to maintain legislative continuity.

Bill results