Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 47: URGING THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY TO ADD A STIPULATION TO ITS SIGNATURE EVENT PROGRAM TO REQUIRE THIRTY PERCENT OF FUNDS AWARDED THROUGH THE PROGRAM TO BE USED TO MARKET EVENTS TO OUT-OF-STATE MARKETS.

This House Resolution urges the Hawaii Tourism Authority to modify its Signature Event Program by requiring 30% of awarded grant funds to be used for marketing events to visitors from outside Hawaii. The resolution directly affects the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the organizations that receive funding for major events like festivals, film festivals, and sports competitions. Currently, grantees can use these funds for operational costs or local purposes without a specific requirement to promote the events to out-of-state audiences. The proposed change aims to ensure that publicly funded events actively attract visitors from other states to support Hawaii's tourism industry.

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 244: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to collaborate with contracted community-based organizations to address the need for social services in the State. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 455: RELATING TO SMALL BUSINESS LOANS.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the contracting of services for start-up business financing and support. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 1279: RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Authorizes a registered pharmacist under contract with a covered entity for purposes of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to supervise the filling or receipt of a prescription via telehealth in certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 429: RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

HB 429 allocates state funds to hire teachers and teacher assistants and purchase equipment and services for public preschool programs. It directly affects public preschools by providing resources to improve staffing levels and facility capabilities. The bill becomes effective on July 1, 2050, after legislative approval. The measure passed committee with amendments in February 2025.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 740: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes the Accessory Dwelling Unit Financing and Deed Restriction Program to allocate funds to the counties for the purchase of equity in an accessory dwelling unit by the State. Specifies eligible homeowners or homebuyers for the Program to finance construction costs, development costs, and non-reoccurring closing costs associated with the construction of an accessory dwelling unit and purchase deed restrictions on the property. Appropriates moneys for infrastructure projects. Sunsets 1/1/2031. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Housing

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1325: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires developers developing an affordable housing project under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to assist certain tenants who are subject to displacement or eviction by the proposed project by: granting those tenants the right of first refusal of a comparable unit in the housing project or establishing a fund to provide relocation benefits and offer assistance; providing information, either directly or through a contracted service, on how to obtain assistance and exercise the right of first refusal; and establishing procedures to track and maintain communication with those tenants. Establishes consequences for a developer's noncompliance. Takes effect 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Housing

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1059: RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

Converts the Emergency Management Specialist series positions at level V and higher in the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency from civil service status to exempt status. Effective 7/1/3000. Repeal on 7/1/2027. (SD2)

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 298: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

SB 298 would allocate additional state funds to the Department of Human Services to expand Medicaid in-home care services. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries requiring in-home support, such as elderly or disabled individuals, by increasing access to these services. The bill's key provision is a funding increase for existing in-home care programs under Medicaid, effective July 1, 3000. It is currently pending committee review in the Health and Human Services committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 382: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score, except the summary of scores, during a debriefing requested by a non-selected offeror. Authorizes the disclosure of a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score after any protest is resolved and the contract is executed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 371: RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Prohibits state or county grantees and officers and immediate family members of state or county contractors or grantees from contributing to candidate or noncandidate committees, candidates, or any person for any political purpose for the duration of the contract. Requires any unlawful contribution to be returned to the contributor or it will escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. Requires disclosures of the names of any officers and immediate adult family members of a state or county contractor or grantee for contracts exceeding a certain amount. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 952: RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to design a five-year Child Welfare System Diversion and Intervention Pilot Program to support families and children involved, at risk of involvement, or at risk of reinvolvement with Child Welfare Services. Specifies that the Department of Human Services shall implement and administer the pilot program. Allows the Department to contract with public and private entities to provide necessary services. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill results