This bill (SB1448) appropriates $10.66 million from state general revenues for emergency repairs at Hawaii State Hospital's Hale Ho‘ola Building. The funds address construction defects including water leaks and mold growth, which have created unsafe conditions for patients and hospital staff. The appropriation specifically covers remediation work, legal fees, and special deputy attorney general costs to fix these issues. The funding is allocated for fiscal year 2024-2025 and is designated as an emergency measure due to immediate safety concerns.
This bill (SB1467 HD1, Act 049) amends Hawaii's tax appeal procedures to simplify the process for taxpayers with low-liability cases. It allows taxpayers facing total tax liabilities under $1,000 (excluding penalties/interest) to use a streamlined process by paying a $25 nonrefundable filing fee and submitting a written statement of facts, waiving further appeals. The bill also updates appeal pathways, permitting direct appeals to the tax appeal court without first going through administrative bodies like the State Taxation Board of Review - except for real property tax appeals requiring county-level administrative review first. These changes apply directly to individual taxpayers and counties involved in tax disputes.
This bill, SB1429 (Act 046), amends Hawaii's medical cannabis law to require primary caregivers to register with the Department of Health. It also establishes new penalties for violations, including fines of up to $5,000 per offense and administrative enforcement procedures. The law clarifies patient access options by maintaining caregiver-grown cannabis as a legal pathway while ensuring oversight through registration and penalties. These changes directly affect primary caregivers and patients relying on caregiver-supplied medical cannabis under Hawaii's existing framework.
This bill (GM 1143) is a notification that Governor Green signed HB1099 into law on May 14, 2025. It appropriates $5,467,164 (half of a $10.9 million penalty) from the state general fund to the Department of Human Services for fiscal year 2024-2025. The funds will support developing a new eligibility system to reduce payment errors in Hawaii's SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), which had exceeded national error rates after pandemic-related federal waivers ended. This reinvestment avoids the state paying the remaining penalty if the new system successfully lowers error rates below the national average of 11.68%.
This bill appropriates $7.15 million in emergency funds to cover payroll and fringe benefits for law enforcement personnel in Hawaii. The funding comes from two sources: $2.48 million from the Department of Accounting and General Services and $4.67 million from the Judiciary. These funds address a shortfall identified in previous appropriations that excluded fringe benefits for law enforcement positions. The bill directly affects the Department of Law Enforcement by providing necessary funding for personnel costs in fiscal year 2024-2025. This emergency appropriation resolves a funding gap that had developed for law enforcement personnel costs.
This bill (HB1477) increases state supplemental payments for providers of adult residential care in Hawaii. It raises the monthly ceiling for facility type II providers from $831 to $937 (including both care rates and the personal needs allowance), and sets the needs allowance at $75 per month for all recipients. These changes directly affect licensed care facilities (like developmental disabilities domiciliary homes and foster care providers) and individuals receiving care through these services. The law takes effect October 1, 2025.
This bill (SB 1318) increases penalties for water pollution and violations in Hawaii's state small boat harbors. It raises fines for unauthorized activities like animal abandonment ($1,000 maximum) and imposes stricter daily fines for discharging pollutants: $10,000 per day for petroleum/hazardous materials violations and $19,000 per day for vessel owners/crew. Repeat offenders face escalating fines ($100, $200, $500 for first three traffic infractions). The law directly affects vessel operators, boat owners, and anyone using state harbors or boating facilities. It became effective upon the governor's signature on May 14, 2025.
GM 1142 is a procedural notification from Governor Josh Green to the Hawaii Legislature, dated May 14, 2025, confirming the signing into law of House Bill 1153. This document does not create new policy but formally records the governor's approval of HB1153, which relates to funding adjustments for state capital improvement programs. The notice serves as an official record of the governor's action without altering legislative procedures or substance.
SB1443 (now law as ACT 050) sets payment rules for medical care and long-term care services provided to patients in Hawaii state hospitals and other psychiatric facilities under the Department of Health's custody. It caps medical care payments at the lower of the Hawaii Medicaid fee schedule or the provider's billed amount. The bill also allows the Department to establish rates for long-term care services for patients discharged to long-term care facilities from these hospitals. Additionally, it exempts the Department from standard procurement rules (Chapter 103F) when purchasing these specific medical and long-term care services.
This bill appropriates $700,000 from the Public Utilities Commission's special fund to hire specialized consultants. The funds will help the Commission review wildfire mitigation plans and strengthen the resilience of electric utility services statewide, particularly after the 2023 Maui wildfires. Consultants will provide technical assessments to prevent power outages, support grid recovery, and prepare for future natural disasters. The appropriation is effective for fiscal year 2024-2025 and was signed into law on May 14, 2025.
HB1038 allocates specific funding from general, federal, and other sources to cover collective bargaining costs and salary adjustments for state employees during the 2025-2027 budget period. The bill provides approximately $43 million for 2025-2026 and $86 million for 2026-2027, with the Department of Education receiving the largest share. This funding supports state employees covered by union contracts and those in similar pay grades not covered by collective bargaining. The appropriations are detailed by funding source (e.g., general funds, federal funds) and department, ensuring targeted distribution to state agencies.
HB1035, now law, provides funding for collective bargaining costs and salary adjustments for state employees in Hawaii. It allocates specific amounts from general, special, and federal funds for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years to cover these costs across state departments. The largest allocations - over $4.5 million in the first year - support the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation for collective bargaining agreements, while smaller sums cover the Department of Education and judicial branch. This bill ensures state agencies can meet existing obligations under collective bargaining agreements and salary adjustment plans without creating new policies.
