Hawaii Bills

signed · Hawaii · House May 19, 2026

HB 1946: RELATING TO REGISTRATION OF TIME SHARES.

Establishes that applications for registration renewals for time share developers, acquisition agents, plan managers, and exchange agents required by section 514E-10, HRS, shall be deemed approved thirty days after receipt of all required documents, unless the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs issues a deficiency letter within that period. Establishes that any amendment to a required time share plan registration shall be deemed approved by operation of law on the sixtieth day after the amendment is submitted to the Director, unless the Director issues a deficiency letter within that period. Effective 9/1/2026. (SD2)

signed · Hawaii · House May 19, 2026

HB 2097: RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE DRIVERS LICENSE REVOCATION.

Authorizes administrative drivers license revocation hearings to be conducted using interactive conference technology, including teleconference, videoconference, and voice over internet protocol systems. Clarifies that evidence in hearings conducted via interactive conference technology may be submitted and exchanged electronically. (SD1)

signed · Hawaii · House May 19, 2026

HB 2343: RELATING TO VETERANS.

Repeals the 6/30/2027 deadline by which the Maui State Veterans Home must be assimilated into a state agency having a Maui affiliation and instead requires the assimilation to be completed as soon as practicable. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Veterans

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 2694: RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS.

Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish automatic adjustment mechanisms to address economic factors sua sponte or on application by a water carrier. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish a water carrier inflationary cost index automatic adjustment mechanism. Beginning 7/1/2026, through 6/30/2029, requires the Public Utilities Commission to apply automatic adjustment mechanisms. Beginning 7/1/2029, through 6/30/2033, authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to apply automatic adjustment mechanisms. Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to waive or exempt any water carrier from any requirement under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Sunsets 7/1/2033. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SB 3082: RELATING TO MILITARY FAMILIES.

SB 3082 authorizes eligible employees in the state to take family leave for qualifying military exigencies under existing state law. It directly affects employees whose spouses, children, or parents are on active military duty, allowing them to take time off for specific military-related situations like deployment-related events. The bill expands the state's family leave framework to include these military-specific circumstances without creating new leave categories. The legislation is currently in its early stages, having been introduced on January 26, 2026.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 15, 2026

SR 66: URGING THIS BODY TO INTRODUCE AND PASS LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH STRICT LIABILITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO KEEP, HARBOR, OR FEED CERTAIN ANIMALS IN A MANNER THAT RESULTS IN DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

This Senate Resolution urges the Hawaii Legislature to create strict liability laws for individuals who keep, harbor, or feed chickens, ungulates, and felids when these animals cause property damage. The bill aims to address the growing problem of feral and free-ranging chickens in residential areas, which are currently not covered by existing animal liability statutes. It also requests the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to study whether feral chickens should be classified as invasive species and submit recommendations by early 2027. The resolution directly affects property owners and residents dealing with nuisance animal populations while seeking to establish clearer legal accountability for animal damage.

signed · Hawaii · House May 14, 2026

HB 1510: RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES.

Conditions the issuance of a certificate of inspection upon a vehicle not being equipped with any cover or shield installed over the license plate. Amends the penalty for obstruction of a license plate. Allows state or county parking enforcement officers and persons authorized by a state or county law enforcement agency to issue citations for vehicles with a cover or shield obstructing the license plate. Repeals the requirement that a cover or shield be intended to alter or interfere with the visibility, legibility, or identification of a license plate by law enforcement or traffic enforcement systems. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 2471: RELATING TO THE POWERS OF ARTIFICIAL PERSONS.

Reaffirms that artificial persons created under state law possess only those powers that are necessary or convenient to carry out lawful purposes, and that those powers do not include the power to spend money or contribute anything of value to influence elections or ballot measures. Authorizes the Attorney General and the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to impose certain penalties for violations. Effective 7/1/2027. (CD2)

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 14, 2026

SB 3022: RELATING TO CULTURE AND ARTS.

Establishes the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to the State and serve as inspirations to others. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 30: URGING THE COUNTY OF HAWAII AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ADOPT ORDINANCES BANNING THE SALE, RENTAL, AND DISTRIBUTION OF DISPOSABLE BODYBOARDS.

This Senate Resolution urges the County of Hawaii and City and County of Honolulu to pass local laws banning the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable bodyboards made from polystyrene foam. The bill aims to reduce pollution of Hawaii's reefs and shorelines by preventing single-use foam boards from breaking apart and entering the marine environment. It follows similar bans already adopted by Maui and Kauai counties and seeks to extend this environmental protection to the remaining two counties in the state. The resolution is a non-binding recommendation rather than a law itself, meaning the two targeted counties must still vote to adopt their own ordinances.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 114: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S INTERNAL AUDIT OFFICE TO CONDUCT SEMIANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT AUDITS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS ATTACHED AGENCIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct quarterly performance and management audits of Hawaii's Department of Education and its attached agencies. The bill addresses concerns that the department's internal audit office has a conflict of interest because its director reports directly to the Superintendent, while the existing Audit Committee lacks authority to evaluate program effectiveness for student success. Under this resolution, the Auditor would rotate quarterly audits among different agencies and focus on academic performance, leadership structures, federal funding usage, and school plans. The Department of Education is urged to use these audit findings to evaluate programs and reallocate resources to improve student academic outcomes and workforce readiness.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 188: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MICRO-CREDENTIAL PILOT PROGRAM DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND THE HAWAII STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to implement a pilot program for micro-credentials developed with the National Education Association, the Department's Office of Curriculum and Instructional Design, and the Hawaii State Teachers Association. The program offers licensed teachers in public and charter schools free access to professional development courses if they are members of the participating organizations, with a $75 fee for non-members. Key provisions include posting the program on the Department's website, allowing participants to earn professional development credits upon completion, and requesting the Hawaii State Teachers Association to assist with outreach and verification. The Department of Education is also asked to submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027 detailing participation rates, educator feedback, and recommendations for future expansion.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results