Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 187: ESTABLISHING A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE PREFECTURE OF YAMAGATA, JAPAN.

This bill establishes a formal sister-state relationship between the State of Hawaii and the Prefecture of Yamagata, Japan, recognizing their shared history of cultural exchange and mutual interests in areas like agriculture, tourism, and sustainability. The resolution encourages both regions to collaborate on specific initiatives including culinary and agricultural exchanges, joint cultural events, education and workforce programs, and sustainable development projects focused on climate resilience and rural revitalization. Implementation will be handled through memoranda of understanding between the Governor of Hawaii and Yamagata Prefecture officials, with the goal of strengthening economic, educational, and cultural ties for residents and businesses in both jurisdictions.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HCR 16: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY PROTON BEAM THERAPY FOR CANCER TREATMENT.

HCR 16 is a procedural resolution requesting Hawaii's Auditor to assess the social and financial impact of a proposed bill (HB 2145) that would require health insurers to cover medically necessary proton beam therapy for cancer treatment. The resolution specifically asks the Auditor to evaluate how mandating this coverage would affect insurers, patients, and the healthcare system, including potential costs and access improvements. This assessment is required under Hawaii law (HRSA §23-51) before any such insurance mandate can be enacted. The resolution does not change coverage rules but sets the stage for future legislative decisions on HB 2145.

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HCR 4: URGING THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT TRANSGENDER MEMBERS OF THE HAWAIʻI NATIONAL GUARD FROM DISCRIMINATORY FEDERAL POLICY AND PERMIT QUALIFIED TRANSGENDER SERVICE MEMBERS TO CONTINUE THEIR SERVICE.

HCR 4 is a symbolic resolution urging Hawaii's Governor to protect transgender members of the Hawaii National Guard from federal policies that bar transgender service members. It references Executive Order 14163, which prohibits transgender individuals from serving in the military and halts gender-affirming care for active-duty personnel. The resolution does not change laws or policies but formally requests the Governor take action to allow qualified transgender service members to continue serving. It directly affects transgender Hawaii National Guard members facing potential discharge under federal policy.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 2408: RELATING TO COMPASSIONATE ACCESS TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Allows terminally ill patients and qualifying patients over sixty-five years of age with chronic diseases to use medical cannabis within specified health care facilities under certain conditions. Requires enforcement by the Department of Health. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 5: AFFIRMING AND SUPPORTING THE REQUIREMENT THAT HOSPITALS PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY CARE TO PREGNANT PEOPLE, INCLUDING REPRODUCTIVE AND ABORTION SERVICES, WHEN SUCH CARE IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO STABILIZE A PATIENT UNDER THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ACTIVE LABOR ACT.

This Hawaii House Resolution (HR 5) affirms that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care - including abortion services when medically necessary - to stabilize pregnant patients under the federal EMTALA law. It directly supports Hawaii hospitals and emergency providers, reinforcing their existing practice of offering such care without delay. The resolution urges all hospitals in Hawaii, including religiously affiliated ones, to continue following EMTALA’s requirement to provide necessary emergency treatment regardless of patient circumstances. It does not create new law but clarifies Hawaii’s commitment to upholding federal emergency care standards, addressing confusion from recent shifts in federal guidance. The resolution aims to strengthen public confidence in emergency care access for pregnant people across the state.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 2761: RELATING TO SOCIAL MEDIA.

Requires a digital application store provider to verify the age of users, require parental consent for users under sixteen years of age to download or purchase, or make a purchase on, a social media platform, and distribute that information to social media platforms. Requires social media platforms to obtain the age information from digital application store providers, determine whether parental consent has been provided for young persons, and take reasonable steps to identify young person users through their algorithms. Effective 1/1/2077. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 2325: RELATING TO JUVENILE OFFENDERS.

Authorizes a court to modify sentences imposed on juvenile offenders if certain conditions are met and the court finds that, after considering certain factors, the defendant is not a danger to the safety of any person or the community and the modification is in the interests of justice. Establishes procedures, provides for hearings and representation by counsel, and authorizes appellate review. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 1603: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PARK LEASES.

Repeals the requirement for land covered by an agricultural park lease with a remaining term of fifteen years or less to be located in a county having a population of less than five hundred thousand in order for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to extend the lease. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 208: COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE CANDIDATES AND DISTINGUISHED FINALISTS FOR THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF HAWAIʻI 2026 YOUTH OF THE YEAR AWARDS.

This House Resolution commends and congratulates the candidates and finalists for the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi 2026 Youth of the Year Awards. The bill recognizes the achievements of specific youth who have demonstrated leadership, academic excellence, and community service. It also acknowledges the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaiʻi for providing a safe environment for over fifteen thousand children across ten locations statewide.

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SR 64: REQUESTING THE STATE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE HAWAII STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

This Senate Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Hawaii State Building Code Council, a state agency responsible for adopting and maintaining statewide building codes. The audit will examine the Council's effectiveness, including its three-year code update cycle, impact on regulatory consistency among counties, and influence on construction costs and housing production. Key areas of review include whether the Council provides measurable public safety benefits, the implications of its inactivity since September 2023, and whether counties should instead manage and fund the code adoption process. The State Auditor will consult with relevant state and county agencies, industry stakeholders, and other departments before submitting findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 53: RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER TWENTY-EIGHTH AS HAWAII GOOD NEIGHBOR DAY.

This bill designates September 28th as Hawaii Good Neighbor Day, encouraging residents to participate in community-building events that foster connection and strengthen neighborhood ties. The resolution recognizes the importance of social organization and community bonds in reducing crime and promoting asset-based development, where existing community strengths are utilized to mobilize people. It follows the national model established by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, which was later adjusted to September 28th in 2003, and mirrors similar initiatives in cities like San Francisco, Boston, and Phoenix. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic recognition to promote civic engagement and neighborly interaction across the state.

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 93: NOMINATING JOHN D. WAIHEʻE III FOR INDUCTION INTO THE ALOHA ORDER OF MERIT.

This bill nominates former Governor John D. Waihe'e III for induction into the Aloha Order of Merit, a state honor recognizing individuals who have achieved national or international recognition and made extraordinary contributions to Hawaii. The resolution highlights Waihe'e's historic role as the first Native Hawaiian governor, his leadership in advancing education, health care, and economic development, and his ongoing civic engagement. By passing this resolution, the House formally recommends Waihe'e for the award, with copies sent to the Governor and the Aloha Order of Merit Committee for further consideration.

Bill results