Hawaii Bills

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 50: ESTABLISHING THE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN WORKING GROUP TO DESIGN AND RECOMMEND A BASIC, AFFORDABLE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN AVAILABLE TO EVERY RESIDENT OF THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution establishes the Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design and recommend a basic, affordable health plan available to every resident of the state. The working group will include representatives from the legislature, governor's office, insurance commissioner, state health planning agency, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente. The group is tasked with developing a plan to address potential increases in uninsured residents due to changes in federal health insurance subsidies and Medicaid work requirements, with a report due to the Legislature by late 2026. The working group will cease to exist on June 30, 2027, after submitting its final recommendations and any proposed legislation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 111: URGING THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO IDENTIFY FEASIBLE OPTIONS AND MECHANISMS TO PROTECT THE STATE AND ITS RESIDENTS AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF INSURANCE.

This Senate Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to form a working group aimed at addressing how climate change is affecting insurance availability and costs for residents. The proposed group would include officials from the Insurance Division, Attorney General, and various legislative committees to study insurance risks from extreme weather events. Key tasks include evaluating current recovery options and exploring legal strategies to seek financial compensation from fossil fuel companies, which the resolution identifies as responsible for climate-related damages. The measure focuses on protecting state resources and ensuring affordable insurance coverage without mandating specific policy changes or taking a stance on liability.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 178: URGING ALL STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT TO IMPLEMENT PROMPT PAYMENT TRANSPARENCY MEASURES AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES FOR ITS EFFORTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges all state and county agencies in Hawaii that handle construction projects to create public websites showing payment information for contractors and subcontractors. The bill asks these agencies to display details about job progress, payments made, and retained funds within one year of the resolution's adoption. It specifically thanks the Public Works Division for its existing transparency efforts and requests agencies unable to comply explain their barriers to the Legislature. While the resolution does not mandate immediate legal changes, it sets a timeline for agencies to report on their progress and consider future legislation to improve payment transparency in public construction.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 139: REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII'S DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION.

This Senate Resolution requests that the federal government provide supplemental funding to increase pay for adult corrections officers working for Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The bill aims to address severe staffing shortages and high turnover rates by using federal money to improve compensation, including base pay and retention incentives. It does not directly change state law or spending but serves as a formal appeal to federal officials for financial assistance to support public safety workforce stability.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 69: REQUESTING THE STATE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE HAWAII STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

This bill requests the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Hawaii State Building Code Council, which is responsible for adopting and maintaining statewide building codes. The audit will examine the Council's efficiency, its impact on regulatory consistency across counties, and whether its current structure and funding model serve the public interest. Key areas of review include the three-year code update cycle, the Council's role in housing production and construction costs, and whether counties should manage and fund the code adoption process instead of the state. The State Auditor will consult with various government agencies and industry stakeholders before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 180: URGING STATE AGENCIES THAT OWN OR CONTROL LAND IN WEST MAUI TO IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE AGGRESSIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT, FUEL REDUCTION, DEFENSIBLE SPACE, AND EMERGENCY ACCESS MEASURES TO REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK TO LAHAINA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges state agencies that own or control land in West Maui to actively manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risks in Lahaina and surrounding communities. The bill asks agencies like the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Department of Education to clear hazardous vegetation, create defensible space, and maintain emergency access routes on their properties. It emphasizes that these actions should follow existing state laws and address concerns that unmanaged grasses and fuels contributed to the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. The resolution does not create new legal requirements but serves as a formal request for agencies to prioritize fire safety measures on public lands near populated areas.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 60: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE FINDINGS OF THE PROOF OF CONCEPT STUDY TITLED BREAKING CYCLES: ALTERNATIVE MODELS OF REHABILITATION AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ON OʻAHU.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide an update on the findings of a 2022 proof-of-concept study titled Breaking Cycles, which explored alternative rehabilitation and restorative justice models for the Oahu Community Correctional Center. The bill asks the department to report on how the study's recommendations have been incorporated into plans for a new correctional facility and to include feedback from incarcerated individuals, staff, families, and community stakeholders. The Department must submit this report to the Legislature at least 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session begins, with any proposed legislation included in the submission. This measure focuses on oversight and information gathering rather than implementing specific policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 172: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO CONVENE A COOPERATIVE WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS STATE PROJECTS THAT REQUIRE COUNTY PERMITTING.

This Senate Resolution requests the Department of Accounting and General Services to form a working group to study delays in state building permit approvals from county departments. The bill directly affects state agencies and county permitting offices by establishing a collaborative group to investigate why state projects face long approval times. The working group will include representatives from various state departments and county officials to explore ways to streamline permitting processes specifically for state projects. Members must submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by 2028, potentially including proposed legislation to address the identified issues.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 49: ESTABLISHING THE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN WORKING GROUP TO DESIGN AND RECOMMEND A BASIC, AFFORDABLE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN AVAILABLE TO EVERY RESIDENT OF THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution establishes a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design and recommend a basic, affordable health plan available to every resident of the state. The working group will include representatives from the Senate health committee, the Governor's office, the Insurance Commissioner, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente. The group is tasked with developing a report with recommendations and proposed legislation by October 2026, with the goal of submitting final findings to the Legislature by early 2027. The resolution references existing federal changes that may increase the number of uninsured residents and draws on Hawaii's previous State Health Insurance Program Act as a model for a similar state-level solution. The working group is authorized to cease operations on June 30, 2027, after completing its review and recommendations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 77: REQUESTING ALL STATE AGENCIES TO UTILIZE BI-LEVEL LIGHTING SYSTEMS IN ALL STATE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES, THE DESIGN OF WHICH IS FINALIZED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2028.

This Senate Resolution asks state agencies to use bi-level lighting systems in all new state buildings starting January 1, 2027. Bi-level lighting adjusts brightness based on motion detection to reduce energy waste from lights staying on at full intensity. The resolution directs copies to various state officials and agencies responsible for construction and facility management. This measure aims to promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact through a specific building design requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 48: DECLARING THE INTENT THAT AFFORDABLE HOUSING CREDITS ARE PERPETUAL AND REMAIN VALID UNTIL REDEEMED, AND REQUESTING THE COUNTIES TO RECOGNIZE THESE CREDITS WITHOUT EXPIRATION DATES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution clarifies that affordable housing credits issued under Hawaii's housing laws are permanent assets that remain valid until they are used to fulfill affordable housing obligations, rather than having expiration dates. The bill directly affects county governments, the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, and developers who rely on these credits to build affordable housing units. It requests that counties align their administrative policies and memoranda of agreement with state law to ensure these credits are not restricted by time limits or other conditions not authorized by statute. The resolution aims to protect the value and transferability of these credits to encourage continued private investment in affordable housing projects.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 101: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND LAND MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES.

This Senate Resolution requests the City and County of Honolulu's Department of Housing and Land Management to create a countywide housing pattern book containing pre-approved residential designs. The book would include various housing types like accessory dwelling units and mid-rise buildings, incorporating culturally appropriate and climate-responsive features such as natural ventilation and lanais. By using these pre-reviewed designs, developers could access streamlined permitting processes, reducing delays and costs while maintaining safety and quality standards. The resolution also asks for a design competition to gather innovative plans and collaboration with architects, builders, and community stakeholders to develop the book. Once completed, the pattern book and its approved designs would be made publicly available for use in housing projects.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Bill results