Hawaii Bills

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 162: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A SHARED DECISION MAKING COMMITTEE TO DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN TO ESTABLISH A K-12 KAIAPUNI SCHOOL IN KAPOLEI.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to form a committee to create a plan for a new K-12 Hawaiian language immersion school in Kapolei. The bill responds to community demand and addresses the current lack of a complete K-12 immersion program in the area, which forces many students to commute long distances to Honolulu for education. The proposed committee would include 11 members representing school administrators, teachers, higher education officials, and community stakeholders to guide the planning process. The action plan developed by this committee must address facility needs, teacher recruitment, and curriculum development to establish a self-contained school serving grades K-12.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 161: ENCOURAGING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PARTNERSHIP WITH AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND TO ADVANCE BIOSECURITY, CONSERVATION, PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, AND OTHER ISSUES OF MUTUAL CONCERN.

This Senate Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to establish a sister state relationship with New Zealand to strengthen cooperation on biosecurity, conservation, and endangered species protection. The bill highlights shared challenges between both Pacific island communities, particularly the threat of invasive species and the need to protect unique native wildlife. It proposes that Hawaii could benefit from New Zealand's advanced biosecurity systems, sanctuary models, and species recovery programs to help restore native ecosystems. The resolution directs certified copies to the Governor, New Zealand Consul General, and the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to facilitate potential partnership discussions.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 170: ENCOURAGING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PARTNERSHIP WITH AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND TO ADVANCE BIOSECURITY, CONSERVATION, PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, AND OTHER ISSUES OF MUTUAL CONCERN.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to establish a sister state relationship with New Zealand to share expertise in biosecurity, conservation, and endangered species protection. The bill highlights shared challenges between both Pacific island nations, such as invasive species threats and the need to protect unique native wildlife. It proposes that Hawaii benefit from New Zealand's successful models for managing pests, creating protected sanctuaries, and restoring ecosystems. The resolution directs copies to the Governor, New Zealand's Consul General, and state business and tourism officials to facilitate potential collaboration.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 59: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS IN THE STATE WITHOUT A HAWAII-ISSUED LICENSE DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Governor of Hawaii to create procedures allowing out-of-state health care professionals to practice temporarily during a state of emergency without holding a Hawaii license. The measure specifically targets physicians, nurses, pharmacists, mental health counselors, and other designated professionals who must hold valid licenses in their home jurisdictions and be affiliated with recognized emergency response organizations. Key provisions include permitting telehealth services without prior patient relationships, requiring professionals to register within 24 hours of deployment, and limiting authorization to 60 days or until the emergency ends. The resolution also establishes an online registry for tracking participating professionals and includes liability protections for the state while maintaining malpractice standards for the practitioners.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 91: REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE PROGRESS OF THE HAWAII ELECTRIC RELIABILITY ADMINISTRATOR.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to provide a written status update on the implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, an independent entity established in 2012 to oversee electric system reliability and interconnection processes. The bill directly affects the Public Utilities Commission and stakeholders involved in Hawaii's electric grid, including renewable energy project developers and ratepayers. It asks the Commission to explain specific functions they have implemented, identify reasons for delays, and provide a forecasted timeline for full implementation of the administrator's roles. Additionally, the resolution requires the Commission to submit annual progress reports to the Legislature until the administrator is fully operational.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 25: URGING STATE AGENCIES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII WILLIAM S. RICHARDSON SCHOOL OF LAW TO COLLABORATE TO DEVELOP EXTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR LAW STUDENTS TO ASSIST IN THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AND UPDATE OF THE HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.

This Senate Resolution urges state agencies and the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law to collaborate on creating externship opportunities for law students to help review and update Hawaii's administrative rules. The bill addresses concerns that outdated regulations burden businesses and residents, while acknowledging that agencies currently lack the resources to conduct comprehensive rule reviews. It specifically requests the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to lead this partnership, with the goal of pairing law students' need for practical experience with agencies' need for regulatory assistance. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal recommendation to establish this educational and administrative collaboration.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 186: 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 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 aims to evaluate whether the current organizational structure effectively supports the Department's strategic goals, identify any overlapping responsibilities, and provide recommendations for improving administrative efficiency and accountability. The Auditor will submit a detailed report with findings and potential legislative recommendations to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 173: CONVENING A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS EVENT TICKET SCALPING IN HAWAII.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to evaluate the environmental and ecological impacts of jug line fishing, a passive fishing method that uses floating buoys to suspend baited hooks. The bill specifically targets concerns about how this practice affects non-target marine species, including endangered animals like the Hawaiian monk seal and hawksbill sea turtle, and contributes to marine debris. If the assessment identifies issues, the resolution requires the department to create new regulations under Chapter 91 of Hawaii's Revised Statutes to address those concerns. This measure does not immediately ban the practice but mandates a formal review and potential rulemaking to protect marine ecosystems.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 196: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL FOR A TIERED, COORDINATED, AND STANDARDIZED BELL SCHEDULE FRAMEWORK FOR DEPARTMENT SCHOOLS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create a standardized bell schedule framework for public schools across the state. The proposed framework would organize school start and end times by level - elementary, middle, and high school - while still allowing local flexibility and meeting minimum instructional hour requirements. The bill requires the department to consult with school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and transportation providers during development. This initiative aims to address current inconsistencies in school schedules that affect transportation, staffing, family logistics, and coordination with community programs.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 189: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REISSUE REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE JOB ORDER CONTRACTING PROGRAM CONTRACTORS AND PREQUALIFIED SMALL CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE THE CONTINUITY OF THE FUTURE SCHOOLS NOW PROGRAM.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to reissue Requests for Proposals for contractors under the Future Schools Now program, which uses job order contracting to quickly repair school facilities. The bill directly affects the state education agency and construction firms, asking them to restart the bidding process for both general contractors and prequalified small businesses before current contracts expire. By reissuing these proposals in 2026, the resolution aims to ensure continuous funding and services for school repairs without interruption, maintaining the program's ability to address the state's backlog of facility maintenance. The Department of Education is also asked to submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027 detailing the program's progress, including the number of projects completed and total spending.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 102: URGING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF EXPANDING THE USE OF MAIL-ORDER PHARMACY IN THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Insurance Commissioner to study how expanding mail-order pharmacy services could benefit residents. The study would examine impacts on medication adherence, cost savings, access for rural and disabled populations, and system reliability during emergencies. It does not change current laws but requests a report with findings and recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 184: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL FOR A TIERED, COORDINATED, AND STANDARDIZED BELL SCHEDULE FRAMEWORK FOR DEPARTMENT SCHOOLS.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to create a standardized bell schedule framework for all public schools in the state. The proposal aims to address current inconsistencies in school start and end times that create challenges for families, transportation planning, and coordination with community programs. The framework would organize schedules by school level - elementary, middle, and high school - while allowing local flexibility within state instructional hour requirements. The Department of Education is directed to consult with school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and transportation providers during the development process.

Topics ✓ Education

Bill results