Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 172: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AND PROCUREMENT AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO REVIEW ITS COMPLIANCE WITH THE HAWAII PUBLIC PROCUREMENT CODE.

This bill requests the State Auditor to conduct a performance and procurement audit of the Department of Human Resources Development (DHRD) to examine its compliance with Hawaii's public procurement laws and its management of workers' compensation prescription drug claims. The audit will review procurement actions taken by DHRD over the past five years, assess adherence to procurement statutes, and evaluate documentation for non-competitive purchasing methods. It also aims to identify systemic issues contributing to delays or denials in workers' compensation benefits and provide recommendations for improving accountability and efficiency within the department. The Auditor is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 38: 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 bill declares that affordable housing credits issued under Hawaii state law are perpetual assets that remain valid until they are used to fulfill housing obligations, rather than having expiration dates. It directly affects counties and developers by requesting that local administrative agreements and policies do not impose time limits or restrictions on these credits beyond what state statutes authorize. The resolution aims to clarify that memoranda of agreement between counties and housing agencies are meant to facilitate credit management, not to diminish their value or transferability. By seeking alignment with existing state law, the bill intends to protect the financial incentives for developers and ensure a stable pipeline for affordable housing construction.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 142: REQUESTING THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO IDENTIFY AND ASSESS EMERGENCY SHELTERS CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING HURRICANE CONDITIONS AND TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S HURRICANE SHELTER CAPACITY.

This bill is a House resolution that asks the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to evaluate the state's emergency shelters and create a plan to strengthen their ability to withstand hurricanes. The agency will identify all designated disaster shelters, assess their structural capacity to handle hurricane-force winds, and publish a public list showing each shelter's location and resilience level. Additionally, the resolution requires the agency to develop recommendations for improving shelter capacity through upgrades or retrofits and submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure directly affects emergency management officials and aims to provide residents with clearer information about safe shelter options during storm events.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 54: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MILILANI ʻIKE ELEMENTARY STUDENTS USING SCHOOL CROSSWALKS.

This House Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Department of Education, and City and County of Honolulu to improve safety at the Mililani 'Ike Elementary School crosswalk where students face traffic risks. The bill requests specific safety measures including speed bumps, warning signage, and a solar-powered rapid flashing crosswalk sign to alert drivers. It also asks for a "STOP Here for Pedestrians" sign to be installed up to fifty feet before the crosswalk. The resolution is directed at state and local officials to implement these visibility and speed reduction measures at the intersection of Mehe'ula Parkway and Kuao'a Street.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 100: REQUESTING THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR, FOR INCLUSION IN THE STATE UNIFIED PLAN, A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE STRATEGY TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE OF THE STATE HAVE A PATHWAY TO A CAREER THAT ENABLES THEM TO LEARN, WORK, AND THRIVE IN THE STATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO A VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY VALUES BY 2045.

This bill asks the Workforce Development Council to create a long-term statewide workforce strategy aimed at helping all residents find careers that allow them to live and work in Hawaii by 2045. The proposed plan would be included in the State Unified Plan and would coordinate efforts across state and county agencies to improve job opportunities, increase work-based learning programs for youth, and expand living-wage employment. The strategy would also establish specific goals and metrics to track progress in reducing underemployment and improving job quality throughout the state.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 145: URGING THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS 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 bill urges state agencies to form a working group to explore ways to protect Hawaii residents from rising insurance costs and reduced coverage due to climate change. The group would assess the state's exposure to extreme weather, identify existing recovery options, and analyze legal strategies to seek financial recovery from fossil fuel companies accused of contributing to climate disasters. Key members would include the Insurance Commissioner, Attorney General, and representatives from relevant government agencies and insurance associations. The working group is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to state committees by early 2027, with the group dissolving by June 2027.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 159: URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO FINALIZE, PRIORITIZE, AND MATERIALIZE THE MAKAKILO DRIVE EXTENSION PROJECT.

This bill urges the City and County of Honolulu to finalize and prioritize the Makakilo Drive Extension Project to address growing traffic congestion in the Makakilo and Kapolei areas. It requests that city officials complete planning updates, secure funding, and move the project into the design and construction phases. The resolution asks the city to submit a progress report with a timeline to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure does not allocate funds or mandate action but serves as a formal request for the city to advance the project.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 92: REQUESTING THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR, FOR INCLUSION IN THE STATE UNIFIED PLAN, A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE STRATEGY TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE OF THE STATE HAVE A PATHWAY TO A CAREER THAT ENABLES THEM TO LEARN, WORK, AND THRIVE IN THE STATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO A VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY VALUES BY 2045.

This House Resolution requests the Workforce Development Council to develop a comprehensive statewide workforce strategy by 2045 to ensure all residents have access to careers that allow them to learn, work, and thrive in Hawaii. The bill directs the Council to recommend this strategy to the Governor for inclusion in the State Unified Plan, aiming to address concerns about high living costs, limited job opportunities, and youth unemployment. The proposed strategy must include specific plans and metrics for improving work-based learning, expanding living-wage jobs, reducing underemployment, and strengthening industry partnerships. This resolution focuses on creating a long-term framework to unify state and county workforce efforts under common goals and priorities.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 107: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, TO CONDUCT AN ASSESSMENT OF PROJECTED MAXIMUM INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY AROUND TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AREAS WITHIN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU.

This bill requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to evaluate the maximum infrastructure capacity around transit-oriented development areas in Honolulu. The assessment will examine sewer and water systems to determine what upgrades are needed to support future growth in these neighborhoods. State agencies will work with local partners including the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the City and County of Honolulu to complete this analysis. The resolution directs copies to various city and state officials responsible for planning, housing, and infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 68: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO COORDINATE THE TRANSFER OF SMALL BOAT HARBORS BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TO ESTABLISH A MANAGEMENT TEAM TO DEVELOP TRANSITION PLANS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Departments of Transportation and Land and Natural Resources to coordinate the return of small boat harbor management to the Department of Transportation. It directs both agencies to form a joint management team that will create detailed transition plans for transferring staff, operations, and assets. The team must develop organizational structures, update job descriptions, and address administrative needs before submitting a final report to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution initiates planning for the transfer but does not enact the legal changes required to complete the move.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 70: URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ESTABLISH A MAKAKILO DRIVE EXTENSION TASK FORCE.

This bill urges the City and County of Honolulu to create a task force to advance the Makakilo Drive extension project in west Oahu. The task force would include city officials and two residents from the local area to coordinate planning, resolve regulatory delays, and ensure the project follows sustainability and transparency standards. Members would submit quarterly progress reports to city and state officials and the group would operate until June 2028 or after eight quarterly reports are submitted.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 137: URGING THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS 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 bill is a House resolution that asks Hawaii's Insurance Division to create a working group to explore ways to protect residents from climate change impacts on insurance availability and affordability. The working group would assess how extreme weather affects insurance exposure, review existing recovery mechanisms, and analyze legal options for seeking financial recovery from fossil fuel companies accused of contributing to climate disasters. The group would include state officials, committee chairs, insurance representatives, and experts, and must submit its findings and recommendations to legislative committees by May 2027 before dissolving in June 2027.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results