Expands the definition of "eligible business activity" for the purposes of the Enterprise Zone Program to include certain research and development activities and information technology design and production services. Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to declare up to two census tracts in the State that contain an innovation enterprise to be designated as an enterprise zone, subject to the Governor's approval. Requires DBEDT to conduct an in-house comprehensive review, in consultation with the Department of Taxation, of the State Enterprise Zones Program and requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) grant writer position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and converts the position from temporary to permanent. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes safeguards, protections, oversight, and penalties for interactions between minors and artificial intelligence companion systems or conversational artificial intelligence services. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD2)
Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (14) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Enables the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to establish appropriate salaries for the investment office staff of the Trust Fund after conducting a market analysis of commensurate salaries in the private sector. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study on the potential benefits of expanding mail-order pharmacy services in the state. The bill directly affects state officials and healthcare stakeholders by requesting an examination of how mail-order pharmacies could improve medication access, reduce costs, and support patients in rural areas or with mobility challenges. The study must analyze specific areas including patient adherence, cost savings, access for vulnerable populations, safety of shipping systems, emergency preparedness, and patient choice options. The Insurance Commissioner is required to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by twenty days before the start of the 2027 Regular Session.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Health to take the lead in coordinating care and support services for people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders across the state. The bill directs the Department of Health to create a plan that brings together multiple state agencies, including health, human services, education, and the judiciary, to ensure families receive integrated support. It also requests efforts to raise public awareness, reduce stigma, and train healthcare and education professionals to better identify and manage these conditions. The Department of Health must consult with families and service providers and submit its coordination plan to the Legislature by early 2027.
This bill urges the Governor to issue an executive order directing the Department of Land and Natural Resources to prioritize a water set-aside for the County of Maui. The resolution specifically targets the Nahiku, Ke'anae, Honomanō, and Huelo State License Areas in East Maui, where historic drought conditions have reduced water availability. The proposed set-aside would allocate state water resources to support the County's management of public trust water resources, potentially enabling funding for water system repairs, reduced rates for residents and farmers, and watershed restoration efforts. As a non-binding concurrent resolution, the bill does not mandate action but formally requests the Governor and relevant state officials to consider this priority for water resource management in the region.
This is a Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 22), not a substantive bill. It formally recognizes the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Ahuʻena Heiau, a historically significant Hawaiian temple site. The resolution affirms the heiau's role in Hawaiian spiritual, political, and cultural history, particularly as Kamehameha the Great's center for governance and leadership instruction. It expresses appreciation to the community, cultural practitioners, and organizations involved in the 1975-1977 restoration effort. This resolution has no legal effect but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the site's importance.
HCR 14 authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to issue a perpetual, non-exclusive easement for Resorttrust Hawaii, LLC (owner of the Kahala Hotel & Resort) to maintain and operate existing drainage infrastructure on state submerged lands at Waialae, Honolulu. The easement covers approximately 12,700 square feet of state lands and grants rights to use, repair, maintain, and replace the hotel's drainage pipelines for stormwater and lagoon outfalls. This resolution satisfies Hawaii Revised Statutes section 171-53, requiring legislative approval for such land use, and includes a one-time payment for fair market rent determined by independent appraisal.
Exempts emergency medical services personnel from commercial driver's license requirements. Requires federal, state, and county firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and law enforcement officers to maintain proof of successful completion of agency-approved or other state-approved training on authorized emergency vehicles. Amends the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" under the State Traffic Code to replace ambulances with emergency medical services vehicles. Expands the definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" to include disaster response and recovery vehicles and Department of Health vehicles. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Establishes the Hawaii Film Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and transfers the rights, powers, functions, and duties of the Hawaii Film Office to the Commission. Requires appointments and hiring of staff by 12/31/2027. Establishes the Film Industry Development Special Fund. Excludes media and film from the definition of "creative industries" and renames the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund as the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund. Amends the sources of moneys to be deposited into the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund. Allows the Creative Industries Development Special Fund to be used for the support and development of facilities and other initiatives to grow the State's creative industries. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
