Hawaii Bills

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HCR 9: REQUESTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE HAWAII REVISED STATUTES TO IDENTIFY PROVISIONS IN WHICH THE TERM "IMPAIRED" OR A SIMILAR TERM IS USED TO DESCRIBE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY AND TO SUGGEST DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS.

HCR 9 requests the Attorney General to review Hawaii’s laws for disability-related terms like "impaired," which advocates say carry negative connotations. It specifically asks for replacing outdated phrases such as "hearing impaired" with "deaf or hard of hearing" and "vision impaired" with "low vision." The resolution directs the Attorney General to recommend modern, respectful terminology that aligns with disability-inclusive language standards without altering legal meaning. A report with findings and proposed changes must be submitted to the Legislature by January 2027.

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HR 9: URGING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO ESTABLISH AN INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 21, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF A JANUARY 20, 2022 PAYMENT FROM AN UNKNOWN INDIVIDUAL TO AN “INFLUENTIAL STATE LEGISLATOR” FOR THE PURPORTED USE IN AN EXISTING CAMPAIGN AT THE TIME, AND TO EXAMINE POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS OF STATE LAW, THE STATE ETHICS CODE, AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROVISIONS.

This House Resolution (HR 9) urges the Hawaii House of Representatives to create an investigative committee under state law to examine a reported $35,000 payment made to an unnamed "influential state legislator" on January 20, 2022. The committee would investigate potential violations of state ethics rules, campaign finance laws, and other statutes related to the alleged payment, which was referenced in a sealed federal court document. The resolution is procedural - it does not create new law but requests a formal state-level review of the incident. It directly concerns the unnamed legislator involved in the payment and the state's oversight of campaign finance and ethics compliance.

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HR 10: REQUESTING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE HAWAII REVISED STATUTES TO IDENTIFY PROVISIONS IN WHICH THE TERM "IMPAIRED" OR A SIMILAR TERM IS USED TO DESCRIBE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY AND TO SUGGEST DISABILITY-INCLUSIVE APPROPRIATE AMENDMENTS.

This House Resolution (HR 10) requests the Hawaii Attorney General to review the Hawaii Revised Statutes for any use of the term "impaired" or similar language when describing people with disabilities. It directs the Attorney General to identify specific provisions (like those using "hearing impaired" or "vision impaired") and recommend inclusive alternatives, such as replacing "hearing impaired" with "deaf or hard of hearing" and "vision impaired" with "low vision." The resolution aims to update terminology to align with modern disability-inclusive language standards without altering legal meaning or conflicting with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Attorney General must submit findings and proposed amendments to the Legislature by early 2027.

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1712: RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

Makes both the representative of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii and the representative of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii permanent standing members of the State Building Code Council, instead of members who alternate terms every four years. Adds one representative of the Plumbers and Fitters United Association, Local 675, and one representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1186, as members of the State Building Code Council. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1659: RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve any disciplinary action, unless the collective bargaining agreement specifically provides otherwise. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 1654: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

Requires the Attorney General to establish a confidential process for persons to anonymously file complaints against public employees. Requires the Attorney General to review and forward the complaints to the department, board, commission, or agency deemed appropriate by the Attorney General. Requires the departments, boards, commissions, and agencies to process the complaint pursuant to their standard complaint‑processing procedures and report the disposition to the Attorney General. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2337: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Removes county-specific expenditure restrictions for funds in the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund. Requires unencumbered and unexpended revenues from the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund in excess of a certain amount as of June 30 of each year to lapse to the general fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1868: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a working group to revise the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's Qualified Allocation Plan and propose revisions to the prioritization of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund and the terms of loans made from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 1571: RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

For purposes of registering a condominium project in an agricultural district, (1) lowers the minimum threshold from projects with five units to projects with two units for which a signed statement from a county is required and (2) requires the project applicant to make a presentation on the project to the neighborhood board, if applicable. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 2301: RELATING TO SCHOOL LICENSURE.

HB 2301 transfers the licensing authority for private trade, vocational, and technical schools in Hawaii from the Department of Education to the University of Hawaii. This change directly affects private schools offering career-focused training, as they would now report to the University of Hawaii for licensing oversight instead of the Department of Education. The bill’s key mechanism is the formal transfer of regulatory responsibility for these schools’ operations and compliance. The legislation does not alter school curriculum or funding but shifts administrative oversight to the University of Hawaii.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 25, 2026

GM 684: Submitting for consideration and confirmation as Circuit Court Judge of the Circuit Court of the Fifth Circuit (Island of Kauaʻi), Gubernatorial Appointee, STEPHANIE R.S. CHAR, for a term to expire in 10 years.

Governor Josh Green has submitted Stephanie R.S. Char for confirmation as a Circuit Court Judge for the Fifth Circuit (Kauaʻi) for a 10-year term. This nomination requires the Hawaii Senate to provide "advice and consent" (confirmation) under Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution. The process directly affects Judge Char, who would assume the position upon Senate approval, and the Senate, which holds the constitutional authority to confirm judicial appointments. No new policy or law is created - this is a routine procedural step for filling a judicial vacancy.

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 2480: RELATING TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

Protects emergency responders from liability during periods of evacuation. Provides that individuals who wilfully fail to comply with predictive evacuation orders assume the risk and waive liability. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill results