Hawaii Bills

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 203: URGING THIS BODY TO ESTABLISH A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS AVAILABLE TO STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AND DETERMINE WHETHER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRALIZED PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT OR SIMILAR SERVICE COOPERATIVE WOULD PROVIDE IMPROVED SUPPORT TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Legislature to create a working group to study how public charter schools can better access administrative and operational support services. The proposed group would examine whether establishing a centralized charter school district or service cooperative could provide more effective assistance for facilities, transportation, and other back-office functions. The working group would include representatives from the charter schools network, legislative committees, the Board of Education, and various stakeholder organizations. Its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, are to be submitted to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 200: 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 Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to implement a pilot program offering micro-credentials to licensed teachers in public and charter schools. The program, developed with the National Education Association and the Hawaii State Teachers Association, provides competency-based professional development where members attend at no cost and non-members pay a $75 fee. Key provisions require the Department to post the program on its professional development website, allow teachers to earn professional development credits upon completion, and have the Hawaii State Teachers Association assist with outreach and verification. The resolution also mandates that the Department submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027 detailing participation rates, educator feedback, and recommendations for future expansion.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 197: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive performance and financial audit of the Department of Education's capital improvement project backlog. The audit will examine the status of all pending school construction and renovation projects, including their funding levels, timelines, cost estimates, and any delays or administrative issues. The Auditor is instructed to provide a detailed report with recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026, which will help policymakers understand the scale of deferred maintenance and plan future investments. This measure directly affects the Department of Education, the Office of the Auditor, and state taxpayers by seeking greater transparency over public infrastructure spending.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 118: URGING THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO IDENTIFY FEASIBLE OPTIONS AND MECHANISMS TO PROTECT THE STATE AND ITS RESIDENTS AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF INSURANCE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to form a working group to explore ways to protect residents from climate change impacts on insurance availability and costs. The bill directs the Insurance Division and Attorney General to assess insurance exposure to extreme weather, identify recovery mechanisms, and analyze legal options to seek financial recovery from responsible parties like fossil fuel companies. The proposed working group would include state officials, legislators, and representatives from insurance and relief funds to develop practical solutions for maintaining affordable property coverage.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 103: URGING THE DIVISION OF STATE PARKS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE STATE PARKS, AND TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE BRANDING AND NARRATIVES FOR PARKS, LANDMARKS, AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT PLACES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

This bill urges the Hawaii Division of State Parks to create a task force focused on improving state parks and developing branding and storytelling for parks and landmarks across the state. The proposed task force would include representatives from state agencies, tourism authorities, and cultural experts to examine best practices in park infrastructure and visitor experience. The group would also study successful branding and retail strategies used by other organizations to potentially generate revenue for park maintenance and preservation. The task force is required to submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature by early 2027, with a focus on creating art and narratives that respect Hawaii's cultural heritage and environmental character.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 39: ESTABLISHING THE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM DESIGN WORKING GROUP TO STUDY, EVALUATE, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE STRUCTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE MATTRESS STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution creates a joint legislative working group to study and design a statewide mattress stewardship program in Hawaii. The group will include state officials, county representatives, and industry stakeholders to evaluate how to manage discarded mattresses and reduce landfill waste. Members will examine collection systems, recycling options, funding methods, and rules for manufacturers and retailers to handle end-of-life mattresses. The working group must submit its findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature by late 2026 for potential implementation in 2027.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 19: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

SCR 19 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to collaborate with the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to create a student-led coral stewardship program. The program would focus on educating students and the public about reef-safe sunscreen practices (avoiding chemicals like oxybenzone that harm coral) through voluntary, non-enforcement activities like student outreach and educational materials. It specifically aims to engage students from public charter schools with existing marine stewardship programs, such as West Hawai‘i Explorations Academy. DLNR must report to the legislature by early 2027 on collaborative efforts and any recommendations for advancing reef protection.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 20: RELATING TO LAVA ZONE INSURANCE.

Requires the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to conduct a study on the homeowners insurance market for lava zones 1 and 2. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 348: RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS.

Beginning 7/1/2026 for lodging establishments with more than fifty sleeping room accommodations, and beginning 1/1/2028 for lodging establishments with fifty or fewer sleeping room accommodations, prohibits the provision of personal care products in small plastic containers within sleeping room accommodations, any space within sleeping room accommodations, or bathrooms used by the public or guests. Establishes civil penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 1524: RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

Establishes that fines for pedestrian violations under chapter 291C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall not exceed $25. Requires state and county agencies to revise applicable schedules of fines, rules, and procedures to comply with the monetary limit. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 1679: RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Clarifies an association board's authority with respect to calling and authorizing electronic meetings, electronic voting at electronic meetings, electronic voting without a meeting, and mail voting without a meeting. Clarifies that proxies are only to be used for any voting conducted at a meeting. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 1588: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes the Noise Detection Camera Program in the Department of Transportation for the installation of noise detection cameras for the enforcement of noise control laws. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Transportation

Bill results