Hawaii Bills

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1228: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2293 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 127).

This bill clarifies the requirements for Hawaii's harm to students registry, which is a database maintained by the Department of Education to track employees who have harmed students. It specifies that the registry will include details such as the employee's name, date of birth, photograph, address, and the reporting institution. To ensure fairness, the law mandates that investigations leading to a registry listing must follow strict due process steps, including an independent investigator, opportunities for both parties to share information, representation for the accused, and a reasoned final finding based on evidence. Additionally, the bill requires institutions to share information about ongoing or completed investigations regarding harm to students with other schools in the state.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1234: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2443 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 133).

This bill directs the Governor to inform the legislature that it has signed Act 133 into law, which establishes a new role within the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to support individuals with disabilities and access and functional needs. The legislation creates a position for a disability integration specialist to ensure disaster planning and response comply with federal and state laws, addressing past gaps in shelter accessibility and communication identified during the 2023 Maui wildfires. By appropriating funds for this role, the act aims to improve equity in emergency services for people who may face barriers such as mobility issues or the need for American Sign Language interpretation.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1239: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2171 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 138).

This bill, Act 138, authorizes the University of Hawaii to operate teaching laboratories that function as active businesses for student training without being hindered by county zoning laws or special use permit requirements. The legislation defines these "enterprise-related activities" as structured, educational operations like teaching hotels or culinary centers that provide hands-on, real-world experience and are secondary to the university's primary academic mission. While the university is exempt from certain land use regulations, it must still comply with all state and county safety, building, and health codes, and any revenue generated must be used to support the university's facilities and student scholarships.

Topics ✓ Education

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1242: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2057 SD2 HD2 CD1 (ACT 141).

This bill prohibits Hawaii state and county law enforcement agencies from entering into agreements with federal immigration authorities or engaging in immigration enforcement activities. It directly affects police departments, sheriff's offices, and correctional facilities by restricting their ability to detain individuals based on federal immigration hold requests or transfer them to federal custody. The law also prevents these agencies from asking about a person's citizenship status unless it is directly connected to a criminal investigation and bars them from sharing non-public personal information with federal immigration officials for immigration purposes. These measures aim to build trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities by ensuring that local police do not get involved in federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1232: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1509 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 131).

This bill, known as Act 131, amends Hawaii's workers' compensation laws to streamline how doctors submit treatment plans to employers. It allows physicians to send these plans via mail, fax, or secure electronic means, with the plan considered received once transmission is confirmed. Employers must respond to the plan within ten days by accepting it or providing specific medical evidence for an objection; failure to respond is treated as acceptance and may result in a $1,000 fine. Additionally, the law permits employers to object later only if new medical evidence arises and establishes that employers denying plans without reasonable grounds must pay the injured employee's legal costs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1237: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2050 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 136).

This bill updates Hawaii's partial public financing program for elections to increase the amount of public money available to candidates and encourage more people to participate. It raises the maximum matching funds from one dollar to two dollars for every dollar a candidate raises above a certain threshold and adjusts the spending limits for various offices to reflect the current value of money. The legislation also appropriates state funds to ensure there is enough money in the program to support these changes. Directly affected are candidates running for statewide and local offices who choose to join the public financing system, allowing them to rely more on public funds rather than private donations.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1235: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3096 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 134).

This bill, signed into law by the Governor on June 24, 2026, establishes a schedule for increasing the amount public employers must contribute to the Employees' Retirement System. It specifically raises the contribution rates for police, firefighters, and corrections officers from 41% to 44% of their compensation, while keeping the rate for all other employees at 24%. These changes are designed to gradually pay down the unfunded liability of the retirement plan over time. The new rates apply to fiscal years beginning in 2026 and continuing indefinitely.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1243: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1838 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 142).

This bill establishes uniform statewide requirements for how state and county agencies issue U and T visa certifications to noncitizen victims of crime and human trafficking. It mandates that all authorized certifying entities, such as law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and judges, adopt consistent policies and processes for verifying victim assistance. By creating these standardized procedures, the legislation aims to ensure that victims across the state have equal access to federal immigration relief programs. The law defines key roles, including certifying officials, and clarifies the specific forms and criteria needed for these certifications. Ultimately, the bill seeks to eliminate inconsistent practices that may have previously hindered victims from obtaining necessary legal protections.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Immigration

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 2074: RELATING TO STATE FACILITIES.

Exempts concessions within the Stadium Facility that are under the jurisdiction of the Stadium Authority from chapter 102, HRS, governing concession on public property. Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived from advertising or marketing in or on the Stadium Facility to be deposited into the Stadium Development Special Fund. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 2057: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits any law enforcement agency or law enforcement official from entering into an agreement under federal law that permits state or county agencies to engage in immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officials from engaging in certain immigration-related actions, except under limited circumstances. (CD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Immigration

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1548: RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors that are not crimes of violence, or for offenses that are not crimes of violence punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment for an offense that is not a crime of violence to apply to the trial court for reconsideration of the sentence to conform to the revised maximum penalty. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1667: RELATING TO CIVIL IDENTIFICATION.

Lowers the age to obtain a state civil identification card without a signature from a parent or guardian from eighteen years old to sixteen years old. Effective 7/1/2027. (CD1)

Bill results