Hawaii Bills

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 3238: RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

SB 3238 establishes a language access education and workforce development program at the University of Hawaii to train professionals in providing language services. It appropriates state funds to support this program, which directly affects communities with limited English proficiency and government agencies needing interpreters or translators. The key mechanism is creating a dedicated training initiative at UH to build a skilled workforce for language access services. This bill focuses on concrete policy changes by funding workforce development rather than altering existing services or regulations.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 3255: RELATING TO CURRENCY.

SB 3255 requires retail merchants to accept cash payments for all in-person transactions. This directly affects businesses that sell goods or services face-to-face and customers who prefer using physical cash. The key provision mandates that merchants cannot refuse cash simply because it is cash, ensuring it remains a valid payment method. The bill focuses on maintaining cash accessibility without specifying exceptions or penalties for non-compliance. It does not address digital payments or online transactions.

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2474: RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.

Authorizes the State to enter into nonbinding international cooperative agreements with national governments; national ministries, departments, or agencies; provincial or regional governments; or international intergovernmental bodies relevant to the interests of the State or an international partner. Expands the definition of sister-state or province partnerships to include a partnership between the State and a prefecture or foreign nation. Requires the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission to evaluate how a sister-state or province partnership or international cooperative agreement will enhance certain key state initiatives. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2475: RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

HB 2475 establishes labeling requirements for 'ōkolehao, a traditional Hawaiian distilled spirit made from taro. It directly affects producers and sellers of 'ōkolehao by mandating specific information on product labels, such as origin, ingredients, or production methods to ensure authenticity. The key provision requires that all 'ōkolehao sold in Hawaii meet these standardized labeling standards. This bill aims to clarify product identity for consumers while supporting local cultural heritage products.

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 3138: RELATING TO INDEPENDENT AUDITS OF DEPOSIT BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTORS.

Limits the independent audit requirement under the State's Deposit Beverage Container Program to deposit beverage distributors who distribute 5 million or more deposit beverage containers a year. Identifies frequency of obtaining and submitting independent audits based on quantities of deposit beverage containers distributed. Defines "distribute" to include the manufacture, import, and sale of deposit beverage containers. Creates minimum requirements for independent audits. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2429: RELATING TO TAX EXPENDITURE EVALUATION.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Department of Taxation, to study the effectiveness of tax expenditures, prepare summary descriptive statistics, submit annual reports to the Legislature, and develop appropriate schedules and tax return forms to collect adequate information for evaluation of tax expenditures. Authorizes Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism staff to access certain information on tax returns to conduct evaluations of tax expenditures. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 2153: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to convene a Bona Fide Farmer Working Group to develop multi-tiered, matrix-based definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 2598: RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS.

SB 2598 authorizes state agencies to use funds from certain special and revolving funds to cover the operational and administrative costs of the programs those funds support. This directly affects state programs that manage non-general funds, such as those for specific services or projects. The bill changes existing rules by permitting these funds to pay for routine program management expenses, rather than requiring separate budget allocations for such costs. It does not create new programs or alter funding levels but streamlines how existing program funds can be used.

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2498: RELATING TO CARE HOMES.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to establish a Central and Leeward Oahu Care Home Community Resilience Pilot Program to assist eligible care home facilities to implement structural and operational resilience improvements. Requires a report to the Legislature. Sunsets on 6/30/2029. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1800: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Adjusts and requests appropriations for fiscal biennium 2025‑2027 funding requirements for operations and capital improvement projects of Executive Branch agencies and programs. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 2802: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in agricultural science at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu; to fund one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position; and for supplies and equipment to support the programs. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 2108: RELATING TO JURISDICTION.

Amends the factors a family court is required to consider in deciding whether the family court may waive jurisdiction over a minor or adult held for criminal proceedings for acts committed during the person's minority. Preserves the family court's jurisdiction over a minor transferred for criminal proceedings for subsequent acts that would otherwise be within the family court's jurisdiction. Requires the family court to retain jurisdiction over a minor if the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the minor was trafficked, sexually abused, or raped by the alleged victim in the case before or during the commission of the alleged offense. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill results