Hawaii Bills

passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 98: 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 bill requests the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting to create a countywide housing pattern book containing pre-approved residential designs that meet safety and building codes. The pattern book would include various housing types such as accessory dwelling units and low- to mid-rise buildings, featuring culturally appropriate and climate-responsive design elements. By using these pre-reviewed designs, developers could access streamlined permitting processes to reduce costs and construction delays. The resolution also calls for a design competition to source innovative plans and requires collaboration with architects, builders, and community stakeholders. Once completed, the pattern book would be made publicly available to help accelerate the production of safe and affordable housing across Oahu.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

in committee · Hawaii · Senate May 8, 2026

GM 692: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Gubernatorial Nominee, RILEY SMITH, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

This is a procedural nomination, not a legislative bill. Governor Josh Green has submitted Riley Smith for confirmation to the Board of Land and Natural Resources, with a term ending June 30, 2030. The nomination requires the Senate's confirmation under Hawaii's constitutional process. It directly affects the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the nominee, Riley Smith.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate May 8, 2026

GM 710: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Gubernatorial Nominee, KAREN GLASSER, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

This is a procedural submission, not a legislative bill. Governor Green has submitted Karen Glasser for Senate confirmation to serve on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Her term would begin upon confirmation and expire on June 30, 2030. The Senate must vote to confirm this nomination as required by Hawaii's Constitution.

passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 18: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A HOSPICE WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE TRENDS AND REGULATIONS IN THE HOSPICE INDUSTRY.

HCR 18 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Health to form a Hospice Working Group to examine trends and regulations in the hospice industry. The group, composed of health officials and five established Hawaii hospices (representing each major county), will study national and local hospice trends, review existing regulations, and recommend improvements to ensure quality care as Hawaii's aging population grows. This resolution directly affects Hawaii's 13 hospice providers and the state's future healthcare planning for seniors, with a report due to the Legislature by early 2027. It does not change current laws but seeks data to inform potential future policy adjustments.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HB 306: RELATING TO STATE WATER CODE PENALTIES.

Makes failure to maintain a natural stream channel that causes an unreasonable and substantial physical obstruction of the natural flow of water a violation of the State Water Code, with certain exceptions. Establishes a period of time after receipt of written notice of certain violations of the State Water Code during which a violator may remedy the violation or enter into a corrective action plan with the Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM). Gives CWRM the discretion to impose a minimum penalty per State Water Code violation, increases the maximum penalty per violation, and authorizes CWRM to consider each day that a violation exists or continues to exist a separate offense. Establishes factors CWRM must consider when determining the amount of the penalty. Prohibits the State from acquiring a fee simple interest in any artificial watercourse, including a canal or ditch, under certain circumstances. Allows the State to acquire a fee simple interest in the artificial watercourse if the Legislature provides prior approval by concurrent resolution. (CD1)

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 3263: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Affirms student-athletes' rights to engage in name, image, and likeness activities for compensation. Requires the University of Hawaii to adopt policies governing institutional name, image, and likeness agreements and other aspects of name, image, and likeness activity consistent with federal law, rules by an intercollegiate athletics governing body such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and Title IX. Allows student-athletes to retain professional representation for the purpose of name, image, and likeness activities. Establishes certain transparency and accountability requirements in the administration of institutional name, image, and likeness activities. Provides protections and educational support for student-athletes who enter into name, image, and likeness agreements. Establishes an endowment fund for the name, image, and likeness program. Appropriates funds into the endowment fund. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD1)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate May 8, 2026

GM 514: Submitting for consideration and confirmation as the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, Gubernatorial Nominee, JON ITOMURA, for a term to expire 06-30-2026.

This bill is a procedural submission by Governor Green to the Hawaii Senate, nominating Jon Itomura for confirmation as Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission. It directly affects the leadership of the Public Utilities Commission, requiring Senate approval for Itomura to serve until June 30, 2026. The mechanism is the governor's constitutional duty to submit nominations for key appointments, as specified in Hawaii's state constitution. No substantive policy changes are involved - this is solely a confirmation request.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 3219: PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 12 AND 13, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION.

Proposes constitutional amendments to expressly provide that the Legislature may authorize political subdivisions, such as the counties, to issue resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds for specified public works, public improvements, or other actions necessary for housing and community development, and exclude these bonds from determinations of the funded debt of the political subdivisions. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Hawaii · Senate May 8, 2026

GM 552: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Gubernatorial Nominee, PINA LEMUSU, for a term to expire 06-30-2026.

This bill (GM 552) is a procedural nomination submission by Governor Green for Pina Lemusu to serve on the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, with a term ending June 30, 2026. It directly affects the Governor’s authority to appoint council members and the Senate’s role in confirming such appointments. The bill does not create new policy or alter existing laws - it simply follows the constitutional process for submitting a gubernatorial nominee for Senate confirmation.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate May 8, 2026

GM 565: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Rehabilitation Council, Gubernatorial Nominee, PATRICK GARTSIDE, for a term to expire 06-30-2028.

This is a procedural nomination bill, not a policy bill. Governor Josh Green has submitted Patrick Gartside for confirmation to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council. If confirmed by the Senate, Gartside would fill a vacancy on the Council for a term ending June 30, 2028. The bill requires the Senate to consider and vote on his appointment.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate May 8, 2026

GM 566: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Rehabilitation Council, Gubernatorial Nominee, JUDITH DANIELS, for a term to expire 06-30-2028.

This bill submits Governor Josh Green's nomination of Judith Daniels for appointment to the State Rehabilitation Council, with a term ending June 30, 2028. It requires the Hawaii State Senate to review and confirm Daniels' appointment to this council position. The council advises the state on rehabilitation services and programs for individuals with disabilities. This is a routine procedural step in the appointment process, not a policy change.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate May 8, 2026

GM 568: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the State Rehabilitation Council, Gubernatorial Nominee, EMILY WILKINSON, for a term to expire 06-30-2028.

This bill is a procedural nomination submitting Emily Wilkinson for confirmation to the Hawaii State Rehabilitation Council. Governor Green has nominated her to serve a term ending June 30, 2028, as required by Hawaii's Constitution. The Senate must consider and confirm this appointment before she can assume the position. The bill does not create new policies or affect any specific group beyond this appointment process.

Bill results