Hawaii Bills

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2584: RELATING TO THE PUBLIC LAND TRUST.

Temporarily increases the total amount of public land trust revenues transferred to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Repeals 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Adrian Tam (D) Daniel Holt (D) Luke Evslin (D) Sue Lee Loy (D) Chris Todd (D)

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2494: RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

Establishes factors under which officers may arrest and detain persons without a warrant for petty misdemeanors and violations, and requires officers to document the justification for the arrests. Amends the circumstances under which officers may issue citations in lieu of arrest. Requires officers to issue citations in lieu of arrest for certain petty misdemeanors and violations, unless public safety or flight risks are present or the alleged offense involves operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant or the abuse of family or household members. Requires the Judiciary to promulgate a standardized citation form and updates the required information for citations. Requires citations be visible on an offender's criminal record. Requires the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit reports. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2544: RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE FEES.

Makes permanent, rather than repealing upon the adoption of relevant administrative rules, the Department of Land and Natural Resources' authority to establish a transaction fee for certain services rendered by the Bureau of Conveyances for each recording in the Bureau of Conveyances and Land Court. Amends the authorized uses of moneys in the Bureau of Conveyances Special Fund. Repeals language that required the Bureau of Conveyances' microfilm fees to be established by rules. Effective 7/1/3026. (SD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 2695: RELATING TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

Clarifies a driver's obligations at crosswalks. Requires drivers to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks. Strengthens penalties for traffic violations, particularly in school zones. Expands the offense of negligent injury in the second degree to include bodily injury to a vulnerable user by the operation of a vehicle in a negligent manner. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2548: RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS.

HB 2548 creates the Climate-Resilient Food Systems Grant Program within the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The bill appropriates state funds to provide grants to farmers, food businesses, and community organizations for projects that help farms and food systems withstand climate impacts (like extreme weather). Key provisions include establishing application guidelines and prioritizing projects that improve soil health, water efficiency, or local food distribution networks. This program directly supports agricultural operations and food supply chains seeking to adapt to climate challenges. The bill is currently in committee referral stages and has not yet been voted on.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 2661: RELATING TO NEPOTISM.

Subjects all nominated, appointed, or elected officers and employees of the State, including members of boards, commissions, and committees; individuals under contract to the State or constitutional convention; and legislators, delegates to a constitutional convention, and justices and judges, and their respective employees, to nepotism prohibitions in the State's Code of Ethics. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2549: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION.

Establishes a Clean Plant Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to support the production, maintenance, and distribution of disease-free, clean plant material to growers, nurseries, and other agricultural producers in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2578: RELATING TO DUE PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING PERSONAL LIABILITY FOR TAX.

Provides that a determination of personal liability for another person's unpaid general excise taxes is an assessment subject to the due process procedures and appeals available for other assessments. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2597: RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Requires the Chief Data Officer to enhance the State's open data portal website through the phased development and publishing of an artificial intelligence chatbot and necessary data visualizations on statewide shared data sets to assist the public. Requires the Chief Data Officer to develop a system to evaluate and select artificial intelligence governance tools for use by state departments and agencies and establish a mechanism for reporting and publication of artificial intelligence use cases and artificial intelligence vendors used by the departments and agencies. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Technology

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2585: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL TOURISM.

This bill creates a Statewide Agricultural Tourism Standards Task Force to develop guidelines for agricultural tourism activities across the state. The task force will be responsible for creating standards that directly affect farmers, ranchers, and businesses involved in agritourism operations. The legislation requires the task force to submit a report to the Legislature outlining its findings and recommendations. This bill focuses on establishing a formal framework for agricultural tourism rather than implementing specific regulations immediately.

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2009: RELATING TO FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT.

Establishes a Disability and Caregiver Support Working Group to explore compliant and fiscally responsible approaches that address the longstanding gap affecting parents and guardians with disabilities whose caregiving capacity may be substantially impaired due to disability or serious medical conditions, while preserving federal funding integrity. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2488: RELATING TO THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD.

Requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the health care communication needs of patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Bill results