Hawaii Bills

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 86: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the establishment of full-time equivalent permanent Makai Watch Coordinator positions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Environment

Cory Chun (D) Sean Quinlan (D) Daniel Holt (D) Rachele Lamosao (D) Lisa Kitagawa (D)

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 443: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Requires that lands within the agricultural district with class B or C soils that have solar or wind energy facilities must also obtain certification from the Department of Agriculture that the lands are also used for a farming operation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ Energy

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 657: RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR CLIMATE RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology within the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 1667: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires, when planning and managing state highways, in certain areas to be determined by certain national standards. Establishes requirements for the State Highway Safety and Modernization Council. Authorizes the State Highway Safety and Modernization Council to select potential areas for the Department of Transportation to install additional photo red light imaging detector systems. Prohibits any vehicles from blocking marked crosswalks. Authorizes the Department of Transportation to implement additional automated speed enforcement systems in school zones as designated by the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee. Requires annual reports. Requires the Department of Transportation to collaborate with the Judiciary before any expansion of the photo red light imaging detector and automated speed enforcement systems. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 21: RELATING TO WATER CARRIERS.

Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to establish, no later than 7/1/2026, a Water Carrier Inflationary Cost Index automatic adjustment mechanism and waive or exempt any water carrier from any requirement under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 441: RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Exempts general fund appropriations to the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra from the requirements of chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for general operating costs of the Orchestra and for deposit into the State of Hawaii Endowment Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 106: RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

Establishes a three-year Pedestrian Safety Pilot Program in a county with population of two hundred fifty thousand or less, under certain conditions. Authorizes the Governor to revoke and abolish the Pilot Program and overturn a county's request to opt-out of the Pilot Program. Authorizes a county with a population of over two hundred fifty thousand to participate in the Pilot Program, subject to certain conditions. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires a driver of a vehicle to yield to a pedestrian when the pedestrian clearly indicates their intention to cross a roadway within a crosswalk. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 458: RELATING TO BROTHER JOSEPH DUTTON DAY.

HB 458 designates April 27 of every year as "Brother Joseph Dutton Day" to honor Brother Joseph Dutton. The bill directly affects the state by establishing an annual observance date for commemorative purposes. It has no policy provisions or financial impact, as it is a ceremonial designation. The bill is currently moving through committee stages with a recommendation for passage. (Effective April 27, 2843, per the abstract.)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 1260: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires each county, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation, to establish a Summer Streets Pilot Program that closes vehicular traffic and repurposes roads for pedestrian and cyclist use, outdoor events, and other community-driven activities. Requires each county to submit an initial proposal to the Director of Transportation. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals on 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 1074: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS.

Allows an activity or operation that is permitted or authorized under the ocean recreation and coastal areas program chapter and renewed within twelve months preceding the initiation of proceedings to determine whether the activity or operation is subject to environmental review, to continue operation for one year while the appropriate agency makes the determination and conducts any necessary environmental review. Allows a person with oversight of the activity or operation to renew the appropriate permits while under the environmental review process. Sunsets 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 1141: RELATING TO UPDATING PUBLIC LAND LEASES ISSUED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 171, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.

Requires that lease extensions approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources be drafted on forms that reflect contemporary leasing practices and policies of the Board, and which shall control over conflicting or inconsistent provisions in the lease being extended. Takes effect 7/1/2040. (SD2)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 54: RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Increases penalties for a third or subsequent offense within five years of excessive speeding to a misdemeanor. Increases penalties for a second offense within five years of excessive speeding. Authorizes the court, as part of the person's sentencing for the third or subsequent offense, to order that the vehicle used by the person in the commission of the offense be subject to forfeiture. Requires individuals convicted of excessive speeding to be subject to identification processing procedures. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Transportation

Bill results