HB237 appropriates $860,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to establish peer-to-peer support programs for parents and caregivers of children from birth to age five in Hawaii. The funds will cover two full-time program specialist positions, contracts with neighborhood-based peer groups, and contracts for addiction and child welfare peer support services. These programs aim to provide immediate resources, reduce negative parenting practices, and prevent child abuse and neglect by building community support and self-confidence. The state expects this investment to save taxpayer money long-term by reducing future costs in child welfare, special education, and incarceration.
HB795 (Act 267) directs Hawaii to deposit $1 million from the general fund into the state's emergency and budget reserve fund for fiscal year 2025-2026. This action complies with the Hawaii Constitution, which requires disposing of excess tax revenues after two consecutive years of having them. The reserve fund provides financial flexibility for emergencies, economic downturns, or unexpected revenue shortfalls. The bill took effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 825 (Act 278) extends Hawaii's eviction mediation program for two years, directly affecting landlords and tenants facing rent payment challenges. It requires a 10-day notice period (up from 5 business days) before eviction, mandates early mediation between landlords and tenants when rent is unpaid, and requires notices to include specific details for free mediation centers. The law appropriates funds for the judiciary to administer the pilot program, ensuring landlords and tenants cover their own mediation costs unless a tenant defaults on a mediated agreement. This renewal builds on the successful 2021 Act 57 provisions that expired.
This bill (SB739, enacted as Act 279) authorizes the State of Hawai'i to acquire fallow agricultural land - formerly used for sugar and pineapple production - for long-term lease to diversified farming operations. It directly affects the state government (as the acquirer), farmers seeking land access, and rural communities dependent on agriculture. The key mechanism requires the state to identify and secure suitable land to increase local food production, addressing the state's reliance on imported food and constitutional mandates to protect agricultural lands. The legislation does not directly address housing but references housing shortages as context for land use priorities. It aims to boost agricultural self-sufficiency through strategic land acquisition, not new housing construction.
This bill (SB264, Act 274) establishes a fixed $2,000 payment for experts who examine criminal defendants, excluding those employed by the state or county. It directly affects forensic experts, medical professionals, and court-appointed specialists who conduct evaluations for indigent defendants. The key provision sets this payment to cover the entire process - including examination, report writing, court testimony, and related work - replacing prior compensation methods. The bill also appropriates $975,000 from state funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to cover these costs within the judiciary.
Hawaii's H.B. No. 957 (Act 270) designates the first Friday in May of each year as "Laulau Day" to celebrate a traditional Hawaiian dish. The bill recognizes laulau, made from pork or fish wrapped in kalo and ti leaves and steamed, as an important cultural symbol in Hawaiian communities. It explicitly states that "Laulau Day" is not a state holiday and aims to raise awareness of the dish's cultural significance while supporting local farmers, chefs, and communities. The law took effect on July 1, 2025, following Governor Green's signature on July 2, 2025.
This bill prohibits state and county agencies in Hawaii from requiring a bachelor's degree as a condition for hiring in public employment, except when skills-based hiring is not viable for a specific role. It directly affects all state and county job postings, aiming to address labor shortages by expanding applicant pools beyond degree requirements. The law allows exceptions only if a bachelor's degree is reasonably necessary for the position's required knowledge or skills. The legislation was signed into law as Act 276 on July 2, 2025, following findings that degree requirements historically limited workforce diversity and contributed to vacancies.
This bill restricts vessels over 75 feet in length from entering Hanalei Bay, Hawaii, effective upon the governor's approval on July 2, 2025. It directly affects large vessel operators (like yachts and ships) and preserves the bay's recreational character for families and visitors engaging in activities such as surfing, swimming, and kayaking. The key provision establishes a 75-foot length limit for all vessels except those operated by federal, state, or county agencies. The law aims to protect the safety of recreational users by reducing risks posed by large vessels in the bay.
This document (GM 1355) is not a new bill but a formal notification from Governor Green confirming that HB1007 (Act 252) was signed into law on July 1, 2025. HB1007 addresses transit-oriented development infrastructure improvement districts established under Act 184 (2022), which had not been properly implemented due to a lack of community volunteers for district boards. The law aims to ensure these districts include complete community infrastructure - such as water, sewer, affordable housing, pedestrian connectivity, and public amenities - to reduce housing and transportation costs for residents. It focuses on replicating successful city models that lower living costs by integrating infrastructure planning early in development.
This bill (SB116, now Act 259) creates a civil remedy for individuals harmed by discriminatory reports to law enforcement. It prohibits knowingly reporting someone to police based on protected characteristics (like race, gender, or sexual orientation) with the intent to harass, discriminate, or damage their reputation or livelihood. Victims can sue for at least $1,000 in damages plus attorney fees, and courts may issue injunctions against further violations. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all individuals and entities in Hawaii. It directly affects people who face false or discriminatory police reports and law enforcement agencies receiving such reports.
This bill (SB119, Act 265) appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $350,000 for 2026-2027 to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. It directly affects Maui nursing students who previously had to transfer to UH Manoa for a BSN, allowing them to complete their education locally. The funding covers program setup, additional staff, and necessary equipment. This addresses Hawaii’s statewide nursing shortage (with 1,000 unfilled positions) and fulfills a legislative finding that Maui is the largest county without a BSN program. The bill took effect July 1, 2025.
This bill (HB969, Act 255) prohibits new landfills on prime agricultural land (soil classified as "A" productivity) in Honolulu County, which has over 500,000 residents. It also restricts landfill construction within ½ mile of homes, schools, or hospitals, and bans landfills inland of underground water injection control lines - both with specific exemptions. The law directly affects Honolulu's plan to relocate the Waimanalo Gulch landfill by 2028, addressing concerns about protecting freshwater aquifers after the 2021 Red Hill fuel leak. These changes took effect July 1, 2025, to safeguard water sources and agricultural land.
