Act 152 prohibits life imprisonment without parole for individuals convicted of a crime who were under 21 years old at the time of the offense. This affects young adults aged 18 to 20 convicted of serious offenses, including first-degree murder, requiring life sentences with parole eligibility instead of life without parole. The law updates Hawaii's sentencing statutes to raise the age threshold from 18 to 21 for this prohibition. It also modifies related provisions to align with the new age requirement across sentencing categories.
SB 742 establishes a Data Sharing and Governance Working Group within Hawaii's Office of Enterprise Technology Services, chaired by the Chief Information Officer. The working group will review state data systems to address gaps - such as tracking high school graduates entering the workforce - and improve cross-agency collaboration. It will assess barriers to data sharing, align efforts with strategic plans, and identify resource needs for better data collection and technology. This bill directly affects state agencies (like education and labor departments) and policymakers who rely on coordinated data to address Hawaii's affordability crisis. The law creates a formal structure to enhance data use for decision-making, building on existing initiatives like the Hawaii Data Exchange Partnership.
SB 1365 authorizes the Hawaii Medical Board to conduct criminal history record checks for physicians seeking medical licenses. This enables Hawaii to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact as a "state of principal license," allowing physicians licensed in Hawaii to more easily practice in other participating states without applying for separate licenses in each state. The bill amends Hawaii Revised Statutes to explicitly permit the medical board to perform these checks as required by the compact. This change directly affects physicians seeking interstate medical practice and streamlines licensure processes for them.
This bill (HB1409) creates a temporary five-year mixed-income housing subaccount within Hawaii's rental housing revolving fund to support projects in transit-oriented development areas near public transit hubs. It requires county development boards to consider infrastructure needs when approving higher-density housing near transit and mandates each county to define specific transit-oriented development zones in its strategic plan. The policy directly affects developers building near transit, county planning departments, and low- and moderate-income residents seeking affordable housing options. These changes aim to increase housing supply near transit, reduce car dependency, and support Hawaii's climate and equity goals.
This bill (SB1051, Act 167) designates September as "Hawaiian History Month" in Hawaii. It officially amends state law to promote public awareness of Hawaii's history, honor Queen Liliuokalani, and recognize Native Hawaiian contributions through community education and events. The designation does not create a state holiday, as specified in the law.
This bill (SB 385, now Act 161) requires Hawaii condominium associations to provide unit owners with free electronic copies of their governing documents - including declarations, bylaws, and rules - upon request. It directly affects condo owners who can now access these documents electronically at no cost, and associations that must comply with this requirement. The key provision replaces previous rules that allowed associations to charge fees for document copies, ensuring electronic access is provided without cost. The law took effect on June 3, 2025, when the governor signed it into law.
This bill (SB1651) changes Hawaii's public meeting notice rules for state boards and agencies. It requires boards to post meeting materials (called "board packets") at least **three full business days before meetings** - not just by the end of the second business day - to ensure the public has sufficient time to review them. It also mandates that boards notify people who signed up for meeting alerts when packets become available. The law directly affects all state boards, commissions, and agencies holding public meetings under Hawaii Revised Statutes.
This bill (HB250) requires health insurance plans in Hawaii to annually report prior authorization data to the state health agency. It mandates health plans to submit information on prior authorization requests, denials, and approvals by January 31 each year, organized by insurer, healthcare setting, and service type. The state agency must compile and publish these findings online by March 1, including recommendations for improvement. A new working group will also be established to study the process and propose ways to reduce administrative burdens on providers, addressing concerns about delays in care and physician burnout.
SB 428 (Act 153) increases witness compensation in Hawaii courts. It raises daily witness fees from $4 to $30 for civil trials and $40 for criminal trials, and replaces the 20-cent-per-mile travel rate with the federal mileage allowance. The bill also adds reimbursement for actual common carrier travel costs (e.g., bus or train) and adjusts per diem payments for out-of-state or inter-island travel. These changes apply to all civil and criminal court proceedings statewide and take effect July 1, 2025. The law directly affects witnesses required to appear in Hawaii state courts.
This bill (HB1168) authorizes the University of Hawaii to issue up to $30.75 million in bonds to fund campus infrastructure projects, including new buildings, renovations, and repairs of facilities like classrooms, labs, and student housing. The bonds, backed by university revenue, will be repaid using university funds, with $30.75 million appropriated specifically for fiscal year 2025-2026. It requires the university to notify the legislature about funded projects and provides housing assistance to eligible students facing increased room and board costs due to the bond debt. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
This document (GM 1270) is a notification that Governor Green signed **SB 97 (Act 170)** into law on June 3, 2025. The bill amends Hawaii’s speeding law (HRS §291C-105) to increase penalties for exceeding speed limits by 30+ mph or driving 80+ mph regardless of posted limits. Key changes include higher fines ($500-$1,000 for first offenses), mandatory 30-day license suspensions (with limited work exceptions), and requirements for driver retraining courses or community service. The law directly affects drivers convicted of excessive speeding, with surcharges funding trauma care programs ($25 to neurotrauma fund, up to $100 to trauma system fund).
SB1578 authorizes the East-West Center, a Hawaii-based institution established in 1975 to promote U.S.-Asia-Pacific relations through education and cultural exchange, to receive state funding without complying with standard state financial management rules. This change provides the Center with greater flexibility to use state funds for programs supporting international partnerships, economic development, and cultural initiatives. The bill directly affects the East-West Center and aims to ensure stable funding as federal support has fluctuated, strengthening Hawaii's role as a bridge between the U.S. and Asia-Pacific nations.
