Hawaii Bills

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1163: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2395 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 063).

This bill, known as Act 063, authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to issue permits allowing the collection of marine deposits like sand, dead coral, and rocks for specific purposes such as research, education, and environmental management. Previously, existing laws prohibited taking these materials from state waters, but this legislation creates a legal pathway for their removal under controlled conditions. The law mandates that collected resources be returned to the beach whenever possible and requires that the activity poses no more than a minimal risk to the environment. Additionally, the bill expands existing exceptions to include taking materials for responding to public emergencies or disasters.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1160: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3140 HD1 CD1 (ACT 060).

This bill, known as Act 060, amends the Hawaii Revised Statutes to change where the budget for the State Fire Council is allocated. Specifically, it moves the funding for the council's meetings and the salaries of its administrator and administrative assistant from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to the Department of Law Enforcement. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's approval by the Governor on May 29, 2026. This legislative update directly affects the administrative structure and budgeting process for the State Fire Council within the state government.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1166: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB874 SD2 HD2 CD1 (ACT 066).

This bill, signed into law on May 29, 2026, allows pet owners in Hawaii to request written prescriptions for their animals from veterinarians so they can fill those prescriptions at a pharmacy of their choice. The law requires veterinarians to inform clients of this right and mandates that prescriptions include specific details like the animal's name, the medication dosage, and the veterinarian's signature. While licensed pharmacies can dispense these medications, the bill explicitly states that veterinarians are not responsible for storage issues or errors made by third-party pharmacies. To receive a prescription, a veterinarian must first establish a relationship with the pet owner and examine the animal to ensure proper medical care.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1162: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB649 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 062).

This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii on May 29, 2026, updates regulations for commercial operators using state small boat harbors. It requires these operators to obtain written authorization, pass vessel inspections, and prove they are at least eighteen years old before securing a use permit. The law also establishes a new fee structure based on factors like vessel size, impact on natural resources, and whether the boat is used for commercial passenger transport or as a liveaboard.

Topics ✓ Environment

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1164: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2607 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 064).

This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 064 on May 29, 2026, which updates regulations for landscape architects. The law authorizes the state board of professional engineers, architects, surveyors, and landscape architects to set educational and examination requirements for licensure. Additionally, the act clarifies the specific experience needed to become a licensed landscape architect in the state. These changes allow the board to implement standards it deems appropriate while maintaining oversight over professional qualifications.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1159: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1875 HD2 SD2 (ACT 059).

This bill expands the state's existing privacy protections to explicitly include gender-affirming health care services alongside reproductive health care. It establishes legal safeguards against "abusive litigation" by allowing individuals to sue for damages and attorney fees if they face frivolous lawsuits or professional disciplinary actions related to these lawful medical services. The legislation also prohibits medical malpractice insurers and health carriers from taking adverse actions against providers solely because they offer reproductive or gender-affirming care. Additionally, the bill clarifies that standard insurance activities, such as fraud prevention or contract enforcement, remain unaffected by these new protections.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · House May 29, 2026

HB 649: RELATING TO SMALL BOAT HARBORS.

This bill updates rules for fees and permits related to state small boat harbors, affecting harbor operators and users. It revises existing provisions to clarify how charges are assessed and what documentation is required for permits. The changes take effect on July 1, 2030, and aim to streamline administrative processes for small boat harbor management. The legislation does not alter the fundamental structure of harbor operations but focuses on updating fee schedules and permit requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2138: RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD STATE TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 2400: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

SB 2400 proposes to exempt operators of "wing-in-ground craft" (vehicles that fly just above water, like certain hovercraft) from Hawaii's Water Carriers Act. It directly affects businesses or individuals operating these specific watercraft by removing a regulatory requirement they currently face. The bill defines "wing-in-ground craft" to clarify which vehicles qualify for the exemption. The bill is currently pending committee review and has not yet been voted on.

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 3140: RELATING TO THE STATE FIRE COUNCIL.

Replaces the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations with the Department of Law Enforcement as the department responsible for budgeting administrative staffing for the State Fire Council. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House May 29, 2026

HB 2395: RELATING TO THE TAKING OF MARINE DEPOSITS.

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to issue permits for research, education, management, or propagation purposes that include the taking of marine deposits seaward of the shoreline, as long as the resources will be returned to the beach if possible and that the taking poses no more than a minimal or negligible risk to the environment. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 874: RELATING TO VETERINARY MEDICINE.

Requires veterinarians to provide a written prescription, upon the request of a client, for any animal patient of a client with whom the veterinarian has established an existing veterinarian-client-patient relationship, to be filled at the pharmacy of the client's choosing. Allows pharmacies licensed in the State to dispense medications prescribed by veterinarians. Specifies that violators may be subject to disciplinary action by the Hawaii Board of Veterinary Medicine, which may include fines or suspension or revocation of a license. (CD1)

Bill results