Hawaii Bills

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2811: RELATING TO STATE BUILDING PROJECTS.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, the State Building Permit Process Task Force to evaluate the challenges, opportunities, and legislative actions necessary to establish a State Building Permit Review Office for state projects located on state-owned lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Sunsets on 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 3048: RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

Establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent position for the State Building Code Council to support statewide building code coordination, permitting transparency, and modernization initiatives. Requires county reporting on building permitting performance. Requires the State Building Code Council to develop a plan for the creation of a standardized statewide permitting data system or publicly accessible dashboard and a state building code modernization and transparency initiative. Requires the State Building Code Council to develop standardized credentials and training requirements for permitting officials. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 2165: RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYMENT SECURITY LAW.

Amends the qualifications for unemployed individuals who are able to receive unemployment benefits. Beginning 4/1/2027, removes the two-year limitation on the recoupment of overpayments and limits the amount of overpaid amount and the penalty assessment amount that can be deducted from future benefits payable to the individual. Beginning 4/1/2027, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to assess and collect a service charge for dishonored unemployment insurance assessments. Beginning 4/1/2027, specifies that employers must report separation and wage information within five calendar days of notice being sent, whether by mail or electronic notification. Beginning 4/1/2027, increases the penalty for failure to report separations or wages and for failure to file or for filing insufficient wage reports. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Labor & Employment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 3090: MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining units (1) and (10) and their excluded counterparts to resolve issues related to temporary hazard pay for fiscal year 2025-2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SCR 189: REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND CONGRESS TO SUPPLY UKRAINE WITH THE WEAPONS NEEDED TO FULLY DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST RUSSIAN ATTACKS AND RETAKE ITS TERRITORY AS RECOGNIZED BY INTERNATIONAL LAW.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution from Hawaii urges the President and Congress to provide Ukraine with additional weapons to defend against Russian attacks and reclaim territory recognized under international law. The bill is a non-binding request that does not allocate funding or create legal obligations, as it is a symbolic expression of support rather than a legislative mandate. It calls on President Trump to negotiate Russian troop withdrawal and affirms solidarity with Ukraine's independence. The resolution cites the humanitarian and strategic impacts of the ongoing conflict to justify the request for enhanced military aid.

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 2033: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

PART I: Requires motor vehicles to have front number plate mounting brackets or devices and for sellers, licensed dealers, or owners to securely affix number plates to the vehicles. PART II: Amends the Traffic Code relating to street racing. PART III: Expands the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program to high-risk locations of state or county highways as determined by the Department of Transportation, under certain conditions. Appropriates moneys. PART IV: Authorizes the installation of a school bus infraction detection system on the exterior of a school bus. Establishes strict liability and the process for issuing summons or citations for drivers shown by the system to be in violation of certain school bus laws. Clarifies the liability of drivers near a school bus that is actively monitored by a school bus infraction detection system. Appropriates moneys. PART V: Specifies that the Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Safety Office shall administer the Photo Red Light Imaging Detector Systems Program Special Fund and Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund. PART VI: Clarifies language relating to photo red light enforcement, automated speed enforcement, and penalty provisions. PART VII: Requires the Director of Transportation to adopt rules allowing for mobile vehicle safety inspections of passenger cars. Effective 7/1/3000; provided that part IV, except the rule-making directive and appropriation, effective 7/1/2028. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 1990: RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY.

Establishes penalties, including fines and liens, for an owner of residential real property's failure to remediate zoning violations. Requires, under certain conditions, county planning or permitting agencies to record the notice of violation as a lien on the property with the Bureau of Conveyances. Requires referral to the applicable county corporation counsel for foreclosure, subject to certain conditions, if the owner fails to satisfy certain conditions. Requires the applicable district or circuit court to hold a de novo review of penalties assessed for unaddressed residential real property zoning violations, including foreclosure, upon appeal by the affected residential real property owner. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 2413: RELATING TO PRETRIAL REFORM.

Requires release on recognizance for defendants charged with violations, traffic offenses, nonviolent petty misdemeanors, nonviolent misdemeanors, and nonviolent class C felonies, subject to conditions. Establishes exclusions for specified offenses, threats to public safety, and certain other circumstances. Requires findings when bail or detention is imposed, ongoing review of continued detention or conditions, and a prompt hearing if bail cannot be posted. Requires prosecutors to notify victims of pretrial decisions. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 139: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED PLAN TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Departments of Health, Human Services, and Education to create a coordinated plan to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which affect individuals exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. The plan would explore establishing a statewide FASD coordinator, strategies for accessing federal funding, and methods to improve awareness and training for healthcare providers and educators. It aims to reduce the economic and social costs of FASD by improving early identification, treatment access, and support for affected families. The departments must submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 15, 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 105: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO STUDENTS ON HOW TO PREREGISTER TO VOTE BEFORE REACHING VOTING AGE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education to inform students aged 16 and older about how to preregister to vote before they turn 18. The bill directs schools to provide specific guidance on voter eligibility, registration procedures, and opportunities to volunteer at voter service centers, while also making paper registration forms and disability accommodations resources available. It designates the final two weeks of September each year as a dedicated period for voter registration activities in high schools, aiming to increase civic engagement among youth. As a non-binding resolution, it does not mandate compliance but formally requests the Department of Education to implement these educational initiatives.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 198: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING, CLASSIFYING, AND APPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM POSITIONS, AND ITS SUPERVISION AND EVALUATION OF COMPLEX AREA SUPERINTENDENTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive performance and fiscal audit of the Department of Education's governance structure and administrative leadership in Hawaii. The audit will examine the roles, responsibilities, staffing, and costs associated with key leadership positions including the State Superintendent, Deputy Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, and Complex Area Superintendents. The review will analyze whether these positions effectively support departmental goals, identify any overlapping duties, and provide recommendations for improving administrative efficiency and accountability. The Auditor is required to submit a detailed report with findings and potential legislative recommendations to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 123: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

This bill requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries who are homeless or have extremely low incomes. The resolution asks these agencies to assess how many people are affected, identify gaps in current housing assistance, and explore options like transitional housing models on trust lands. It also directs them to evaluate funding sources, partner with nonprofit organizations, and ensure all plans comply with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act before submitting a report to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Housing

Bill results