Hawaii Bills

This is a procedural notification (GM 1366) confirming Governor Green signed SB224 (Act 263) into law on July 1, 2025. The bill requires Hawaii's Department of Corrections to help inmates obtain civil identification cards, birth certificates, social security cards, and other necessary documents at least one year before their release or parole. It specifically mandates this assistance for all inmates transitioning to community reentry, including those in work furlough programs, to support access to housing, jobs, and social services. The law directly affects incarcerated individuals in Hawaii state prisons preparing for release.

This bill (HB97, Act 256) establishes the Hawaii Travel Insurance Act, creating a new regulatory framework for travel insurance sold to or delivered in Hawaii. It directly affects travel insurers, agents, and Hawaii residents purchasing travel insurance by defining key terms like "aggregator site," "blanket travel insurance," and clarifying that "cancellation fee waivers" are not considered insurance. The law requires compliance with its specific provisions, which supersede conflicting general insurance laws, while excluding cancellation fee waivers and travel assistance services from its scope. This act aims to standardize regulations and promote public welfare in the travel insurance market.

This bill (HB 1300, now Act 254) appropriates $500,000 from state funds for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center to conduct a research study. The study focuses on health disparities among Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos, specifically examining how environmental exposures - like living near Nanakuli landfills on Oahu - affect cancer rates. It requires analyzing water and soil data from health agencies to assess risks tied to social, cultural, and environmental factors. The funding covers fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, with the cancer center also seeking additional external funding. The research directly affects these communities and aims to address Hawaii-specific cancer health gaps.

This bill (SB383) increases Hawaii's threshold for "small purchase" procurement from $25,000 to $50,000, meaning state agencies must use electronic systems for purchases between $50,000 and $250,000. It directly affects state procurement offices and government agencies handling routine purchases. The law requires the state procurement office to submit a report to the legislature by January 2026 evaluating the effectiveness of this change. The bill was signed into law by Governor Green on July 1, 2025, and takes immediate effect.

This bill (SB951, Act 260) amends Hawaii's child protection laws to update reporting requirements and information sharing. It requires written reports on child abuse/neglect cases to include military status of caregivers and specific details about injuries, and clarifies when police or child protective services must share reports with military authorities. The law directly affects child protective services, police departments, and military families by standardizing how information is documented and shared. It also allows disclosure of confirmed abuse cases at childcare facilities to parents/guardians with consent, and specifies public disclosure rules for fatal/near-fatal cases. These changes aim to improve coordination and transparency in child protection cases.

This law, Act 251, creates a state-funded internship program allowing high school and college students to gain work experience through private-sector employers in high-demand fields like construction. The Department of Labor will reimburse private employers up to $20 per hour for training and supervision costs, with internships limited to 12 weeks for college students and six weeks for high school students. It also establishes a separate state internship program to place students in public sector jobs through the Department of Labor and Department of Human Resources Development. The policy aims to expand workforce opportunities, address industry shortages, and build pathways to careers in both private and public sectors.

This bill (SB 960) appropriates $1.1 million in state funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to improve access to Hawaii's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It directly supports low-income households - currently served by SNAP for over 130,000 residents - by funding staffing enhancements at the Department of Human Services. Key provisions include authorizing higher pay for SNAP-related staff, creating new positions to boost program access (especially in disadvantaged communities), and supporting other initiatives to increase participation rates. The funding aims to help implement existing SNAP policy changes, such as eliminating net income limits, by strengthening the department's capacity to process applications and serve beneficiaries.

This bill (HB529, enacted as Act 253) authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to use revenue bonds up to $300 million during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. It directly affects the corporation by allowing it to meet federal tax law requirements for bond volume cap recycling under Hawaii Revised Statutes. The key provision permits the corporation to utilize revenue bonds when obtaining credit lines or other debt instruments, specifically to comply with federal tax regulations. This change becomes effective upon the governor's approval (July 1, 2025). The bill does not create new funding but adjusts how existing financing mechanisms may be used.

This bill (SB292, now ACT 261) creates safe harbor protections for survivors of sex trafficking in Hawaii. It prevents criminal prosecution for prostitution charges when survivors seek medical or law enforcement assistance, such as reporting to 911 or visiting a hospital. The law amends Hawaii Revised Statutes §712-1200 to clarify that "seeking medical or law enforcement assistance" includes reporting abuse or receiving care. It directly affects individuals involved in the commercial sex trade who are survivors of trafficking. The law was signed by Governor Josh Green on July 1, 2025.

This bill (HB1422, now Act 257) exempts community-based organizations providing transportation services at natural and cultural sites from Hawaii's motor carrier regulations. It directly affects groups operating shuttles at locations like beaches, hiking trails, and cultural sites - such as the Haena shuttle on Kauai - when those services generate revenue to fund operations, park improvements, and cultural site maintenance. The law requires these organizations to meet specific criteria (e.g., revenue use for site upkeep) to qualify for the exemption, reducing regulatory barriers for community-led transit solutions. This addresses traffic congestion at popular destinations without requiring permits under standard motor carrier rules.

This law (SB 897, Act 258) allows Hawaii's electric cooperatives to recover wildfire mitigation, repair, and restoration costs through automatic rate adjustments. It requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish maximum liability limits for claims arising from "covered catastrophic wildfires," considering factors like credit ratings, customer rates, clean energy goals, and wildfire safety plans. The law directly affects electric cooperatives (defined as public utilities meeting specific criteria), the Public Utilities Commission (which must create binding rules), and ratepayers (whose electricity costs may be influenced by these provisions). Key mechanisms include cost recovery via rate adjustments and the Commission’s authority to set liability caps to balance utility financial stability with public interest protections.

This bill (HB 1483, enacted as Act 243) establishes criminal penalties for illegal fireworks use in Hawaii. It prohibits setting off fireworks within 1,000 feet of hospitals, nursing homes, zoos, or animal shelters without a permit, and creates graduated penalties for violations - including enhanced penalties for injuries or deaths caused by fireworks. The law integrates fireworks violations into Hawaii’s existing traffic infraction system to streamline processing for low-level offenses while prioritizing serious cases. It directly affects residents who use fireworks without permits, aiming to reduce fire risks, respiratory harm, and strain on emergency services.