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Hawaii Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 53,153 Active 2,085 In committee 29,059 Passed 12,714 Signed 1,934 Failed 183

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 31, 2026

HR 49: REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII BOARD OF REGENTS TO CONDUCT A SYSTEMWIDE ASSOCIATE DEGREE COMPLETION AUDIT.

This bill requests the University of Hawaii Board of Regents to conduct a systemwide audit to identify students who have earned enough credits for an associate degree but have not been awarded one. The audit will focus on students who transferred from community colleges to four-year campuses or those who started at four-year campuses and left before completing their degrees. The university is asked to examine administrative barriers, transfer patterns, and financial factors that may prevent these students from receiving their credentials. The Board of Regents must submit findings and recommendations for establishing degree award pathways to the Legislature by March 2027. This resolution does not directly award degrees but initiates a review process to potentially create new policies for recognizing earned academic credits.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SCR 76: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BIOMARKER TESTING.

This bill requests the State Auditor to evaluate the social and financial impacts of a separate law that requires health insurance plans to cover biomarker testing for diagnosing and treating diseases. The assessment will examine how mandating coverage for this type of personalized medical testing affects patients, healthcare providers, and insurance costs. The Auditor must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session. This procedural measure ensures the mandated coverage requirement is reviewed before it takes effect, following state law requirements for such health insurance mandates.

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SCR 150: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO OBTAIN A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE EXEMPTION FROM THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR REGISTERED MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS AND REGISTRATION WAIVERS FOR STATE-LICENSED DISPENSARIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Governor to request a federal exemption from the Drug Enforcement Administration for Hawaii's registered medical cannabis patients and to seek registration waivers for state-licensed dispensaries. The bill aims to resolve the conflict between Hawaii's state medical cannabis program and federal law, which currently classifies cannabis as an illegal Schedule I substance. By pursuing these exemptions and waivers, the resolution seeks to protect patients from federal prosecution and allow dispensaries to operate with full banking and tax compliance. It also directs the Department of Health to report progress to the Legislature and sends copies of the resolution to federal officials and state agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SCR 108: AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF THREE PERPETUAL, NON-EXCLUSIVE EASEMENTS COVERING PORTIONS OF STATE SUBMERGED LANDS AT WAIALAE, HONOLULU, OAHU, FOR EXISTING DRAINAGE PURPOSES, AND FOR USE, OPERATION, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTED THEREON.

This bill authorizes the issuance of three perpetual, non-exclusive easements on state-owned submerged land in Waialae, Honolulu, to allow a resort company to maintain existing drainage infrastructure. The easements cover approximately 12,700 square feet and grant the company the right to use, operate, repair, and maintain drainage outfalls that extend from the Kahala Hotel onto state land. A one-time payment based on fair market value will be determined by an independent appraisal and approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The resolution requires approval from the Governor and the Legislature to comply with state law governing the use of submerged state lands.

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SR 141: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO OBTAIN A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE EXEMPTION FROM THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION FOR REGISTERED MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENTS AND REGISTRATION WAIVERS FOR STATE-LICENSED DISPENSARIES.

This Senate Resolution asks the Governor to request a federal exemption from the Drug Enforcement Administration for registered medical cannabis patients and registration waivers for state-licensed dispensaries. The bill addresses the conflict between Hawaii's state medical cannabis program and federal law that classifies cannabis as a Schedule I controlled substance. By seeking these exemptions, the resolution aims to protect patients from federal prosecution and allow dispensaries to operate legally without violating federal regulations. The measure also requests that the Department of Health provide updates on the status of these federal applications to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SCR 25: OPPOSING CONDEMNATION OR THREATS OF CONDEMNATION BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TAKE CONTROL OF POHAKULOA AND ANY STATE LAND.

SCR 25 is a Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution opposing the U.S. federal government's potential use of condemnation to take control of Pohakuloa training area land when the Army's lease expires in 2029. The resolution states Hawaii opposes both actual condemnation and threats of condemnation of state land, emphasizing that state sovereignty and existing legal processes - not federal condemnation - should govern land transactions. It specifically references Pohakuloa's cultural significance to Native Hawaiians, its ecological value, and the state's fiduciary duty to protect public trust land. As a procedural resolution, it does not alter laws but formally expresses Hawaii's position to federal authorities.

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SR 22: OPPOSING CONDEMNATION OR THREATS OF CONDEMNATION BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TAKE CONTROL OF POHAKULOA AND ANY STATE LAND.

This Senate Resolution (SR 22) opposes any federal government action to condemn or threaten to condemn state land at Pohakuloa on Mauna Kea, including land under the expiring U.S. Army lease. It directly affects the federal government and the Army, which leases 23,000 acres for training with the lease ending in 2029. The resolution states Hawaii rejects condemnation as a mechanism, citing constitutional state sovereignty, Hawaii’s fiduciary duty to Native Hawaiians under state law, and preference for negotiation over federal seizure. It urges the state to fulfill its legal obligations regarding this sacred land, which is culturally significant and home to native species. The resolution is a formal statement of opposition, not a binding law.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 896: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Based solely on the provided context, SB 896 is a procedural education-related bill with no substantive details available in the official abstract or summary. The bill was introduced on January 17, 2025, referred to the Education committee, and carried over to the 2026 session, with a public hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026. No specific provisions, policy changes, or affected groups are described in the given information. Since the abstract states "Short form bill" and no content about the bill's purpose or mechanisms is provided, a substantive summary cannot be generated.

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 916: RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT.

Allows tax credits claimed under the State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program to be used to offset taxes imposed by the state transient accommodations tax law. Specifies that tax credit amounts applied to state transient accommodations taxes be limited to state transient accommodations taxes imposed in the same county in which the qualified low-income building is located. Makes permanent Act 129, SLH 2016. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 276: RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS.

Excludes a homeowner-developer from the annual requirement to file a developer's report and pay a fee if the homeowner's development consists of no more than two units, one in which the developer has resided as their principal place of residence for at least ten years and one for which the initial sale of the other unit has been completed, subject to certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 494: RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Requires the Auditor to conduct a financial audit of each charter school under the State Public Charter School Commission. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires the State Public Charter School Commission to take action based on the Auditor's recommendations. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 812: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Authorizes a contract for the purchase of local produce having a value of more than $25,000 to be for a term of at least five years, under certain conditions. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)