Hawaii Bills

This bill (HB 1365) establishes a pilot program for non-potable water wells at Panaewa Agricultural Park and Panaewa farm lots in Hawaii County. It appropriates $300,000 for the Department of Agriculture to prepare an environmental review before drilling wells, aiming to conserve potable water by providing farmers with alternative irrigation sources during dry months. The program specifically applies to agricultural parcels in Panaewa, with completed wells reverting to the state upon lease expiration. The law took effect July 1, 2025.

SB1501, enacted as Act 191, creates a payment assurance mechanism to protect independent power producers (IPPs) who supply renewable energy to Hawaii's investor-owned electric utility. The law requires the Department of Budget and Finance to step in and make payments to IPPs if the utility fails to pay under power purchase agreements, using only funds from a dedicated trust fund (revenues from power purchase charges and reserve fees). This addresses concerns that the utility's weakened credit rating - following the 2023 Maui wildfires - has caused IPPs to cancel projects or demand higher prices, risking clean energy progress. The policy aims to secure reliable renewable energy supply, support Hawaii's 2045 goal of 100% renewable electricity, and prevent higher costs for utility customers. The mechanism does not pledge state funds or credit, relying solely on existing trust fund resources.

GM 1293 is a notification from Governor Green that HB713 was signed into law on June 6, 2025. HB713 directs Hawaii's Department of Human Services to conduct a rate study on Medicaid reimbursement for home health services. The $250,000 study, funded through state general revenues, will examine declining payments that affect patient access to care and workforce recruitment for home health agencies. This study will inform future reimbursement decisions for services that provide skilled care like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and wound care to homebound patients.

GM 1301 is a procedural notice from Governor Josh Green to the Hawaii Legislature, informing them he plans to return 19 bills with objections. This notice complies with Section 16 of Article III of the Hawaii Constitution, which requires governors to formally notify the legislature of veto plans for bills presented within 10 days of adjournment. The affected bills cover topics like property forfeiture (HB126), traffic safety (HB235), the state budget (HB300), and cannabis regulation (HB302). The notice itself does not detail the objections but triggers the legislature's process to reconsider the bills.

This bill (HB778, Act 187) requires Hawaii's Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to conduct an integrated land use study for agricultural districts. The study must analyze how to balance competing land uses - including housing, agriculture, and renewable energy - while meeting the state’s climate and sustainability goals (like affordable housing targets and renewable energy mandates). It will compile data from state agencies and include input from farmers and agricultural groups to prioritize protecting productive farmland. The study’s recommendations will guide county-level planning decisions on agricultural land use. This is a procedural requirement, not a new law, focused on coordinating existing policies.

This bill establishes a Red Hill Water Alliance Initiative (WAI) policy coordinator to coordinate cleanup efforts across state, county, and federal agencies. It also creates a Red Hill cleanup special fund to finance the remediation of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The bill directly affects the State of Hawaii, the city and county of Honolulu, and the U.S. Navy, which operates the facility. The legislation implements key recommendations from the Red Hill Water Alliance Initiative, formed after a 2021 fuel spill that contaminated water sources.

HB879, signed into law on June 6, 2025, appropriates $76,704 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to create a permanent engineer III position within Hawaii's Department of Health. This position will assist with cesspool conversions and related responsibilities as directed by the department's wastewater branch. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, providing dedicated staff to support the state's cesspool conversion program.

SB330 authorizes Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to enforce federal quarantines that prevent invasive pests and diseases, such as citrus greening, from entering the state. The law gives the department authority to seize, destroy, or require treatment of regulated items (like citrus crops) that violate federal quarantine rules or are infested, and to demand proof of origin for shipments from quarantined areas. This directly affects the Department of Agriculture and anyone shipping regulated agricultural products into Hawaii from regions under federal quarantine, such as parts of Florida or Puerto Rico. The bill closes a legal gap that previously prevented Hawaii from enforcing federal quarantines, despite their existence to protect against invasive species.

This bill updates Hawaii law to set pay and health benefits for National Guard members activated for state service. It requires electronic pay deposits for all members and provides health insurance allowances (including dental and vision coverage) for those activated over 30 days without existing coverage, covering both the member and their family if eligible. Enlisted personnel must receive a minimum daily pay rate of ten times the state minimum wage. The bill affects all Hawaii National Guard members serving on active duty for state service.

This bill (SB65, now ACT 182) is a notification that Governor Green signed into law on June 6, 2025, appropriating $10 million from Hawaii's general revenues for the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. The funds are designated to rehabilitate, remodel, renovate, and repair public housing units during fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. It directly affects the state's public housing authority and residents living in these units by providing dedicated funding for maintenance and upgrades. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.

This bill (SB1502, Act 176) allocates $195,000 for faculty positions and $270,000 for student programs at the University of Hawaiʻi West Oahu’s business administration program. It specifically funds a part-time cybersecurity coordination center director and a full-time cybersecurity research laboratory director, plus student internships, certifications, and related expenses. The funding supports workforce development in defense-sector fields like cybersecurity and data science, aligning with the state’s economic goals. The appropriations take effect July 1, 2025, and are to be used exclusively for these purposes by UH West Oahu.

SB 1442 updates Hawaii law to clarify the Department of Health's responsibilities for providing mental health services to children and adolescents (ages birth to 17). It requires the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division to deliver preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services as soon as reasonably possible, ensuring eligible youth receive necessary care for their development. The bill adds definitions for "client" (a child receiving services) and "division" (the mental health division), and adjusts the legal title to explicitly focus on children and adolescents. It also mandates coordination with other state agencies like child welfare, education, and the judiciary to address complex youth needs holistically.