Hawaii Bills

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 1323: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace existing chapters related to advance health care directives and advance mental health care directives. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2025

HCR 203: URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO PRIORITIZE THE DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING OF THE NORTHERN TERMINUS OF THE KIHEI NORTH-SOUTH COLLECTOR ROAD.

HCR 203 is a non-binding resolution urging Maui County to prioritize planning the northern terminus of the Kihei North-South Collector Road. It directly affects Maui County officials, including the Mayor, Public Works Department, and County Council, by requiring them to identify the northern terminus location and submit a status report by January 2026. The resolution cites ongoing traffic congestion, safety risks from bottlenecks, and projected population growth as reasons for urgency, noting that a $25 million federal grant (2023) hasn't advanced this critical segment. It does not create new law but requests collaboration with transportation planning groups to integrate the terminus with existing infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1391: RELATING TO TRADE.

Establishes the Hawaii-Ireland Trade Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature and Governor. Appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to fund out-of-state relations activities. (CD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2025

HCR 27: REQUESTING HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO PETITION THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF PARITY BETWEEN HAWAII AND OTHER STATES AND TERRITORIES PERTAINING TO THE EXPORT OF AGRICULTURAL GOODS.

HCR 27 is a Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution requesting the state's congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address unequal export rules for agricultural products. It specifically highlights that Hawaii faces restrictions similar to U.S. territories, requiring USDA approval for most fruit, vegetable, and flower exports to the mainland - unlike other states. The resolution notes Hawaii's export petitions often wait years behind foreign countries' requests, causing significant delays for local growers. This bill does not change regulations but formally asks federal lawmakers to advocate for Hawaii's agricultural sector to achieve parity with other states.

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2025

HCR 25: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO INCLUDE A SECTION ON DESECRATION LAWS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII PLANT AND ANIMAL DECLARATION FORM.

HCR 25 is a House Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to add a new section to the existing State of Hawaii Plant and Animal Declaration Form. This section would require travelers completing the form (such as visitors arriving with plants or animals) to acknowledge awareness of laws protecting Native Hawaiian cultural sites, burial grounds, and places of worship. The form would ask travelers to confirm they understand these laws, know how to learn more about them, and commit to following them. The resolution does not create new laws but seeks to use an existing travel form as an educational tool for visitors.

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2025

HCR 174: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES AND JUVENILE JUSTICE STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO CONTINUE THE USE OF AINA-BASED LEARNING PROGRAMS OFFERED TO YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE LEGAL SYSTEM.

This concurrent resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Human Services to continue using aina-based learning programs for youth in the juvenile justice system. Aina-based learning connects youth to Hawaiian cultural practices through land, ocean, and nature-based activities, addressing gaps in current community service that lack cultural relevance. The resolution specifically asks the advisory council to maintain these programs and create a list of qualified organizations for courts to assign as community service. It directly affects youth in Hawaii's juvenile justice system, particularly Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and African American youth who face disproportionate impacts from traditional court fees and fines.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2025

HCR 123: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO IMPLEMENT A RESTRICTED PARKING ZONE PILOT PROGRAM IN THE KO ʻOLINA, HONOKAI HALE, NANAKULI, AND MAILI NEIGHBORHOODS.

This bill requests Honolulu's Department of Transportation Services to create a temporary restricted parking zone pilot program in the Ko'olina, Honokai Hale, Nanakuli, and Maili neighborhoods. The program would use permits and signage to manage on-street parking, prioritizing residents and visitors while reducing non-resident parking. It directly affects residents and businesses in these areas, aiming to address issues like parking shortages, abandoned vehicles, and safety concerns (e.g., people sleeping in cars) that were successfully reduced in a similar 2017 Kalihi Valley pilot (86% fewer non-resident vehicles, 70% more available spaces). The resolution is non-binding and seeks to replicate proven results from a prior successful pilot.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 401: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Establishes prohibitions on assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms. Expands the ban on high-capacity detachable magazines. Allows possession of an assault rifle, assault shotgun, or detachable magazine with a capacity greater than ten rounds when certain conditions are met. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD2)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 30, 2025

HCR 146: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO APPLY FOR AND IMPLEMENT THE ELDERLY SIMPLIFIED APPLICATION PROJECT IN THE STATE WHEN CAPABLE.

HCR 146 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Human Services to apply for and implement the Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) for SNAP benefits. It would streamline SNAP enrollment for low-income seniors aged 60+ by waiving recertification interviews, extending benefit periods to 36 months, and simplifying application processes. Currently, Hawaii does not participate in ESAP, which directly affects over 130,000 SNAP recipients, primarily seniors with no earned income. The resolution asks the Department to seek federal approvals and adjust state rules to enable this program. This is a procedural request, not a binding law, aimed at reducing barriers to food assistance for vulnerable older adults.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SCR 121: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO CONVENE A TOURISM AND GAMING WORKING GROUP.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 121) requests Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to form a Tourism and Gaming Working Group. The group will review past gaming legislation, develop a policy framework for potential economic growth and tax revenue, examine gaming at the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, and assess how gaming could support tourism efforts. The working group must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by 2027, with the group dissolving on June 30, 2028. The resolution does not legalize gaming but seeks stakeholder input to inform future legislative decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 344: RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Requires the design of all new state building construction where parking is to be included to provide that a number of the parking stalls, as determined by the Department of Accounting and General Services, shall be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office, in consultation with the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Transportation, to conduct a survey and identify certain high-priority state facilities. Establishes a goal of the State to retrofit state facilities to be electric vehicle charger-ready. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1020: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes a Carbon Sequestration, Underground Water, and Geothermal Exploration Resource Characterization Program via slim hole bores and requires a related statewide environmental assessment. Requires a report to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill results