Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 44: SUPPORTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S EFFORTS TO COORDINATE THE STOCKPILING OF A THREE-YEAR SUPPLY OF MIFEPRISTONE.

This Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Health to coordinate storing a three-year supply of mifepristone, a medication used in medical abortions. The bill directly affects the state's public health infrastructure and aims to ensure continued access to abortion care by maintaining a medication supply that could be affected by FDA policy changes or supply chain disruptions. It builds on the state's existing reproductive health protections and acknowledges that mifepristone has a five-year shelf life, making long-term stockpiling feasible. The resolution is non-binding and directs the Department of Health to determine the appropriate quantities needed for this three-year supply.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 75: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN COMPLETING THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION SYSTEMS FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION.

This Senate Resolution asks the Department of Human Resources Development to work with state agencies and labor organizations to finish reviewing how civil service jobs are classified and paid. The request focuses on departments with high vacancy rates or hard-to-fill positions to help address the state's labor shortage. This collaborative approach aims to gather practical insights from those directly managing hiring and retention challenges. The resolution directs DHRD to prioritize areas with the most significant staffing gaps when developing recommendations for updating the system.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 149: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ASSESS THE SERVICES AND FUNDING NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF COMPLEX PATIENTS WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE DIAGNOSES THAT INCLUDE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, OR CHRONIC PHYSICAL ILLNESSES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Health to create an informal working group to evaluate services and funding for patients with multiple diagnoses, including substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and chronic physical illnesses. The working group will examine how to better integrate care for these high-need individuals, potentially by establishing residential treatment facilities that combine medical, behavioral, and social support services. The group will consider specific service models, staffing needs, and funding options, with the goal of reducing fragmented care and improving health outcomes. The Department of Health is asked to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 31: REQUESTING CERTAIN STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES, IN COORDINATION WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY.

This Senate Resolution requests state and county agencies to work with community organizations to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The bill aims to address food insecurity, which currently affects about 32% of households in Hawaii, with higher rates among families with children and marginalized communities. The proposed strategy must be data-driven and equity-focused, requiring agencies to assess barriers to food access, analyze trends like climate change impacts, and recommend policies to reduce food costs while supporting local agriculture. Participating agencies must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 134: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DUST MONITORING STATIONS IN AND AROUND WAIMANALO GULCH TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

This Senate resolution asks the Hawaii State Department of Health to set up dust monitoring stations in and around Waimanalo Gulch, where a sanitary landfill is located, to measure airborne particles that could affect public health. The bill directs the department to install devices that track fine and coarse particulate matter, share real-time data with the public, and create a plan to notify residents if pollution levels become unsafe. It also requires the department to submit a detailed report to the Legislature within 20 days before the 2027 session, outlining the stations' locations, detected contaminants, potential health risks, and recommended mitigation strategies. The resolution involves coordination between the state health department, the City and County of Honolulu, and other relevant agencies to address air quality concerns in the area.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 150: URGING THE ADOPTION OF SHARED GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE RESTORATION OF WAIKIKI BEACHES.

This Senate Resolution urges the adoption of shared guiding principles for restoring and maintaining Waikiki beaches, which are vital to Hawaii's economy, culture, and public access. The bill proposes a collaborative approach involving the state, county, federal agencies, and private property owners to plan and fund beach improvements from Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor to Kaimana Beach. Key provisions include prioritizing public access to the ocean, conserving natural resources, coordinating regional planning for sand movement, and clarifying that property owners must maintain seawalls and infrastructure above the shoreline.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 32: REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the creation of a task force to develop a statewide plan for studying how many people can use Hawaii's marine life conservation districts without harming the ecosystems. The task force will be made up of representatives from state agencies, county governments, universities, community groups, and commercial ocean recreation operators. Its main job is to design a framework for carrying capacity studies, prioritize which districts to study first, set standards for how studies are conducted, and identify the funding and staffing needed to implement the program. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature by the end of 2026, which may include proposed legislation to officially establish the statewide program.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 71: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU AND DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP AND PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON WAYS TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, working with the Attorney General's office, to create a working group that reviews how other states protect victims of image-based sexual abuse. The group will examine existing laws and policies to identify ways to improve protections for survivors, who face issues like nonconsensual sharing of explicit images and videos. The working group will include service providers and survivors of gender-based violence to ensure their perspectives are considered. The group must submit a report with findings and recommendations, including any proposed new laws, to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 79: ENCOURAGING THE STATE TO EXAMINE REQUIRING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS IN ALL STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS AND PURSUE EXISTING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAMS.

This Senate Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to consider mandating automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. AEDs are portable devices that can restore normal heart rhythm during cardiac arrest, with survival rates dropping significantly for each minute without treatment. The resolution also highlights the need for AED training programs, noting that while some organizations offer such education, the state currently lacks legislatively mandated training initiatives. The bill directs the Director of Health and the Comptroller to receive copies of this resolution for further review and action.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 160: URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges four Hawaii state housing agencies to develop a "housing ladder" program designed to help individuals and families move from subsidized housing into non-subsidized, market-rate housing. The proposed program would include support services such as financial counseling, workforce training, transitional rental assistance, and partnerships with private housing providers to facilitate upward mobility. The bill does not create new funding or mandate specific actions but instead requests the agencies to collaborate on creating this program and report their findings to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure aims to address housing shortages by freeing up subsidized housing units for those still waiting while helping current participants achieve greater financial stability.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 163: REAFFIRMING THE LEGISLATURE'S COMMITMENT TO PARTICIPATE AS A MEMBER LEGISLATURE IN THE PACIFIC INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY.

This bill is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that reaffirms the Hawaii Legislature's commitment to remain a member of the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, a regional organization for Pacific parliaments. The resolution formally recognizes the transition from the previous Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group to the new assembly and confirms Hawaii's continued participation in the organization. It directs that copies of the resolution be sent to relevant state officials and the Pacific Inter-Parliamentary Assembly leadership to ensure proper documentation of the legislature's membership status.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 87: ENCOURAGING THE STATE TO EXAMINE REQUIRING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS IN ALL STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS AND PURSUE EXISTING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAMS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to consider mandating automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. The bill aims to improve public access to life-saving devices that can treat cardiac arrest by analyzing heart rhythms and delivering electrical shocks to restore normal heart function. It also highlights the importance of AED training programs, noting that while organizations like the University of Hawaii offer such training, the state currently lacks legislatively mandated educational initiatives. The resolution directs the Director of Health to receive copies of the document and serves as a non-binding recommendation rather than a law requiring immediate action.

Bill results