This bill, signed into law as Act 030, amends Hawaii's teacher licensing statutes to clarify the hiring authority of public schools and charter schools. It mandates that these institutions primarily hire licensed teachers for their specific fields but allows for the emergency hiring of unlicensed individuals only when no qualified candidates are available. Under this new framework, schools must report detailed data on teacher shortages and out-of-field assignments annually, while any unlicensed hires are limited to a maximum of five years with strict requirements to demonstrate active progress toward obtaining a license.
This document is a formal notification from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature stating that Bill SB3154 was signed into law on May 26, 2026. The bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to take on federal environmental review responsibilities for transportation projects to streamline their development while keeping environmental safeguards in place. To comply with federal rules for this new role, the law also grants the state a limited waiver of sovereign immunity. Additionally, the bill transfers certain functions from other agencies to the Department of Transportation and expands its ability to acquire and manage property for climate and transportation purposes.
This bill, signed into law as Act 037, updates Hawaii statutes to clarify and standardize the rules for cumulative voting in elections for associations and condominiums. It directly affects members of these organizations by allowing them to concentrate their votes on a single candidate or distribute them among multiple candidates if their governing documents permit this method. The legislation specifies how votes are calculated, ensuring that the candidates receiving the highest number of votes are elected to the longest terms. Additionally, it confirms that directors elected through this system can be removed by members following existing legal requirements.
This bill updates the definition of agricultural districts in Hawaii to include a wider range of activities and facilities. It explicitly adds wind energy, solar energy, biofuel production, and farm employee housing to the list of uses that qualify as agricultural. The law also clarifies rules for solar facilities on certain land types and allows for agricultural tourism and recreational facilities within these districts.
This bill requires insurance companies to provide a reasonable explanation for premium increases when a policyholder requests one in writing. It also updates the list of reasons the state insurance commissioner can deny, suspend, or revoke an insurance license, adding specific grounds such as failing to pay child support or taxes and improperly using study materials during exams. The law directly affects insurance providers, their employees, and consumers by increasing transparency on pricing and tightening oversight of licensing standards.
This bill amends pharmacy laws to establish clearer and fairer rules for auditing pharmacy records. It requires auditors, including the state and insurance companies, to send written notice at least two weeks before an on-site inspection and to specify which prescriptions will be reviewed. The law also clarifies that simple clerical or computer errors do not automatically constitute fraud and cannot be used to impose criminal penalties without proof of intent to deceive. Additionally, it ensures that pharmacies have a minimum of sixty days to respond to audit findings if their contracts do not specify a longer period. These changes aim to standardize audit procedures and protect pharmacies from penalties based on minor mistakes.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB2329 into law on May 26, 2026, making it official state policy. The law updates Hawaii's income and estate tax rules to align them with the federal Internal Revenue Code as of December 31, 2025. It specifically incorporates various federal tax provisions related to pandemic relief, such as excluding certain recovery rebates and grants from taxable income, while explicitly excluding other federal tax rules from state application. This change ensures that Hawaii taxpayers follow the same definitions for calculating gross and taxable income as the federal government for the specified tax year.
This bill, signed into law as Act 041, amends Hawaii's occupational safety and health statutes to update definitions and strengthen enforcement powers. It removes the specific legal definitions for "hoisting machine" and "hoisting machine operator," while simultaneously granting the state department the authority to issue emergency temporary safety standards without a public hearing if workers face immediate danger. The legislation also clarifies the process for employers to request variances from safety rules and allows the department to extend compliance deadlines for those who cannot meet standards immediately. These changes directly affect employers, employees, and the state agency responsible for workplace safety regulations.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed SB2623 into law on May 26, 2026, updating the rules for pharmacy licensing. The law amends state statutes to clarify the duties of registered pharmacy technicians, specifying that they can perform certain non-discretionary tasks under a pharmacist's supervision and must be at least eighteen years old to administer vaccinations. It also grants the state pharmacy board expanded authority to inspect wholesale drug distributors, deny licenses to applicants with disciplinary records from other states, and approve pilot research projects for innovative pharmacy practices. Additionally, the bill establishes that all pharmacy licenses and registrations must be renewed every two years by December 31 of odd-numbered years.
This bill directs the Governor to inform the Hawaii Legislature that he signed HB2271 into law on May 26, 2026. The law provides emergency funding to resolve financial issues related to temporary hazard pay for specific state employee groups during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It authorizes the state to use these funds to restore budget accounts that were previously adjusted to cover hazard pay, ensuring departments have the necessary resources to operate. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date for certain emergency appropriations from Act 29 until June 30, 2027.
This bill clarifies and streamlines background check requirements for individuals working at healthcare facilities in Hawaii. It directly affects applicants, employees, and volunteers who have direct access to patients or their personal information. The law mandates specific checks, including searches for adult and child abuse records, criminal history, and sex offender registry status, while explicitly excluding staff whose duties do not involve direct patient contact. Additionally, the act defines who qualifies as a "direct patient access employee" to ensure the background screening process applies appropriately to those in positions of trust.
Amends the membership and responsibilities of the Public Land Trust Working Group established under Act 226, SLH 2022. Requires the Working Group to submit the following to the Legislature: by 8/1/2027, a first interim report regarding Act 178, SLH 2006, financial reporting and accounting; by 12/1/2027, a second interim report regarding the public land trust inventory; by 6/1/2028, a third interim report that includes a preliminary draft of findings and recommendations regarding Act 178 financial reporting and accounting and the public land trust inventory; and by 10/1/2028, a final report that includes proposed legislation. By 12/31/2028, requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to submit certain findings and considerations to the Legislature. Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to provide administrative support to the Working Group in coordination with a third-party consultant. Appropriates funds from the Carry-Forward Trust Holding Account to be transferred to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to be expended solely for Native Hawaiian programs and services with critical, short-term funding needs in the areas of education, health, economic development, and community-based initiatives. Specifies that the transferred funds may not be used for planning, developing, or constructing residential or mixed-use projects or related infrastructure. (CD1)
