HB 1002 (Act 249) amends Hawaii's correctional oversight system by changing how the oversight coordinator is appointed and what they can do. The governor must now appoint the coordinator from a list of three nominees submitted by the commission, requiring the appointee to have expertise in criminal justice reform and commit to transitioning the correctional system toward a rehabilitative model. The bill also expands the coordinator's authority to investigate facilities without notice, enter correctional premises, and hold private hearings. This law, signed by Governor Green on June 30, 2025, takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission and correctional facilities statewide.
This bill (SB601, enacted as Act 245) requires law enforcement officers in Hawaii to post specific notice after conducting warrantless searches of residences, businesses, or other buildings. The notice must include the report number, date, time, reason for entry, and contact information for at least one involved officer. It also mandates that all entrances used during such searches be secured upon completion. These requirements apply to all county police departments, the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement, and any state or county public body employing law enforcement officers. The law amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 803 to include these procedures under "Searches, Search Warrants" provisions.
This bill (HB 806, Act 247) appropriates $500,000 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to fund sting operations on Oahu to enforce fireworks laws, and $2 million for a new explosives and firearms laboratory on Oahu. It directly affects law enforcement agencies (specifically the Department of Law Enforcement) and communities impacted by illegal fireworks use, particularly in urban Honolulu. The funding aims to address public safety risks highlighted by incidents like the 2024 Aliamanu New Year's Eve explosion, including fire hazards, injuries, and strain on emergency services. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies only to Oahu.
HB 550 (Act 244) amends Hawaii's fireworks enforcement law to allow drone footage to be used as evidence for arrests without requiring witness authentication, provided the drone recorded in public areas (like parks, streets, or sidewalks) and the fireworks violation occurred there. It also permits statements from witnesses and other recordings (such as photos or videos) to establish probable cause for arrests, though non-drone recordings still need authentication by a witness. The law applies to state and county law enforcement agencies when enforcing existing fireworks regulations. This change updates evidence standards for enforcement but does not alter the underlying fireworks restrictions.
The General Appropriations Act of 2025 (HB300) establishes Hawaii's state budget for the fiscal biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. It allocates specific funding amounts to state agencies like the Department of Education, Department of Health, and others, with spending limits and staffing caps for each fiscal year. The bill defines key terms such as "means of financing" (e.g., general funds, federal funds) and "position ceiling" (maximum staff allowed) to standardize budget tracking across agencies. This budget directly affects all state departments and programs receiving funds, requiring them to operate within the approved financial and staffing parameters.
This bill extends the timeline for a state task force studying fireworks and the duration of the existing fireworks law. It amends Act 67 (enacted in 2023) to require the task force to submit interim reports before each legislative session from 2024 through 2029 and a final report before the 2030 session, with the law now expiring on June 30, 2030 (previously set for 2025). The amendment does not alter fireworks regulations but prolongs the task force’s operational period and the law’s implementation window by five years. The bill affects the task force, the legislature (via reporting requirements), and the ongoing administration of fireworks-related policies in Hawaii.
This bill, HB410 (Act 248), is the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Appropriations Act of 2025 that was signed into law by Governor Green on June 30, 2025. It provides specific funding for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) programs during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, with detailed appropriations for each program listed in the bill. The bill specifies funding sources (general funds or trust funds) and establishes position ceilings for staff levels for each program. It will take effect on July 1, 2025, and directly affects OHA's budget and operations in serving Native Hawaiian communities.
SB1186 establishes a statewide interagency food systems coordination team and working group within Hawaii's agribusiness development corporation to address food insecurity and advance sustainable food systems. The working group, co-chaired by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Business, will develop action plans, coordinate with local communities and counties, and measure progress toward goals like doubling local food production by 2030. The bill appropriates funds for operational costs and requires annual reports to the legislature detailing activities and recommendations. This directly affects state agencies, local food producers, and communities working on food security, with a focus on improving access to healthy food and disaster resilience.
This bill (HB 302, now Act 241) amends Hawaii's medical cannabis laws to improve patient access and program safety. It allows the Department of Health to inspect qualifying patients' medical records held by their primary treating providers (physicians or advanced practice nurses), authorizes telehealth for establishing provider-patient relationships, sets a maximum fee for written certifications, and permits hemp products (but not cannabis) at dispensary retail locations. These changes directly affect medical cannabis patients, healthcare providers, and licensed dispensaries by reducing administrative barriers and clarifying operational rules. The legislation aims to reverse declining patient registration by making the medical program more accessible compared to the illicit market.
This bill establishes Hawaii's Food and Product Innovation Network, a statewide system of facilities designed to help local businesses scale up value-added food and product manufacturing. It creates access to shared manufacturing equipment, industry expertise, and support services - including product development, branding, and export compliance - across multiple islands (Kauai, Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu). The network directly supports businesses seeking to use "Hawaii made" branding under state law, with facilities at locations like the University of Hawaii Maui College and Leeward Community College. The law aims to strengthen Hawaii's agricultural economy by connecting innovation to commercialization.
This bill (HB 427) renames Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to the "Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity" and updates the composition of its governing board to include biosecurity expertise. Key provisions require the board to have at least one member with biosecurity background, clarify membership from agricultural communities, and mandate hemp producers to report transportation to the renamed department. The bill directly affects department staff, board members, hemp producers, and agricultural stakeholders by formalizing biosecurity oversight. It does not create new programs but adjusts structural and reporting requirements within existing agricultural and biosecurity frameworks.
This bill, effective July 1, 2026, requires retail establishments in Hawaii to label raw processed ahi (such as tuna used in poke or sushi) with the country where the tuna was landed. It directly affects grocery stores, markets, and restaurants selling ahi products, ensuring consumers know whether the tuna is locally caught or imported. The law defines "raw processed ahi" as tuna that has been cut, cubed, or mixed with ingredients (like soy sauce or limu) for retail sale, and mandates clear country-of-origin labeling. This addresses confusion caused by misleading terms like "fresh" or "locally made" on imported, previously frozen ahi that dominates retail sales despite Hawaii's $100 million annual tuna fishery.
