Hawaii Bills

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2448: RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INTIMATE IMAGES.

SB 2448 creates legal remedies for people whose intimate images are shared without consent. It directly affects individuals who have had private photos or videos of their intimate areas distributed without permission. The bill establishes a civil cause of action, allowing victims to sue for damages and seek court orders to remove the images. It defines "intimate images" as photos or videos showing a person's intimate areas, and prohibits their disclosure without the person's consent. The law aims to provide clear legal recourse for victims of non-consensual image sharing.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 1941: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Amends the requirements for productions to qualify for the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax to include completing at least fifteen per cent of the production's principal photography within the same taxable year the production is qualifying for the film tax credit and completing or committing to complete fifteen per cent of the production's post-production in the State within the same taxable year the production is qualifying for the film tax credit or later taxable years. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Repeals 1/1/2033. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 3252: RELATING TO CLIMATE PLANNING.

Amends the leadership, membership, powers, and duties of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Establishes the powers and duties of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission Coordinator. Beginning after 12/31/2026, requires all department and agency plans and decisions to consider recommendations made by the Commission and Coordinator. Appropriates funds for positions and other expenses. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2009: RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

SB 2009 requires new license plates or tags for used vehicles transferred between private individuals, replacing the previous system where plates remained with the vehicle. It mandates county Directors of Finance to notify all relevant state and local agencies whenever a vehicle transfer is reported and to establish a centralized digital notification system for all transfers by July 1, 2027. The bill directly affects private vehicle sellers, buyers, and county finance offices handling vehicle registrations. Key provisions include standardizing transfer notifications to improve record accuracy and ensuring agencies like law enforcement and tax authorities receive timely vehicle ownership updates. This aims to streamline administrative processes without altering vehicle ownership laws.

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 2424: RELATING TO LAND USE.

Between 7/1/2026 and 12/31/2028, authorizes each county planning agency to petition the Land Use Commission for a district boundary amendment to reclassify certain lands within the agricultural district to the rural district through the district boundary amendment process. Repeals 12/31/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 1577: RELATING TO 911 SERVICES.

Requires the 911 Board to establish a Statewide Emergency Safety Profile System Pilot Program and convene a working group. Requires report to the Legislature. Repeals on 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2096: RELATING TO WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT.

Requires certain wastewater treatment works to test sewage sludge and any other residual material intended for land application for the presence of PFAS. Requires the Director of Health to adopt rules for the monitoring, sampling, testing, and data collection of sewage sludge and other residual material at wastewater treatment works that contain PFAS. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2902: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Establishes certain standards for the use of portable solar generation devices and provides certain exemptions from net energy metering and interconnection requirements for devices that meet these standards. Prohibits electric utility companies from requiring customers using portable solar generation devices to obtain approval from the utility, pay any fee or charge, or install additional controls or equipment. Limits the installation of portable solar generation devices to condominiums. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices. Clarifies that any person who owns, controls, operates, or manages a portable solar generation device that is located on the person's property does not qualify as a regulated public utility. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 3081: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE THE POTENTIAL OF UNDERGROUND ENERGY RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes the Underground Energy Resource Characterization Program to identify the location and characteristics of accessible geothermal heat and carbon sequestration resources through the use of slim-hole bores and requires a related environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 3085: RELATING TO THE HAWAII FILM STUDIO.

Provides an exemption to dispositions of lands set aside for filming and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Repeals 6/30/2030 if Hawaii Film Studio has not changed locations as of that date. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 2283: RELATING TO PORT PILOTAGE.

Clarifies the consulting role and responsibilities of the Department of Transportation in the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' development and implementation of pilot licensure standards, requirements, and criteria. Repeals the inclusion of Port Allen as part of the waters of the State that are regulated by statutory pilotage requirements. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 19, 2026

HB 1739: RELATING TO TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.

Requires the development of transit-supportive densities to be allowed in any county-designated transit-oriented development area. Prohibits the counties from enacting an ordinance, rule, regulation, development standard, zoning provision, or other land use control that restricts the development of transit-supportive densities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Bill results