Hawaii Bills

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

GM 730: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Advisory Board on Veteran's Services, Gubernatorial Nominee, JANET COVINGTON, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

This bill nominates Janet Covington to serve on the Advisory Board on Veteran's Services in Hawaii, a role that directly impacts veterans' support and policy recommendations. The appointment is for a term ending on June 30, 2030, and requires Senate confirmation before taking effect. The nomination follows standard constitutional procedures for filling advisory board positions within the state government. This action does not create new laws or change existing veteran services but rather appoints an individual to an existing advisory role.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

GM 731: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Advisory Board on Veteran's Services, Gubernatorial Nominee, JASON SEAL, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

This bill nominates Jason Seal to serve on the Advisory Board on Veteran's Services in Hawaii until June 30, 2030. The nomination is submitted by Governor Josh Green and requires confirmation by the state Senate before the appointment becomes official. This action directly affects the composition of the advisory board that provides guidance to the state on veteran-related services. The bill does not create new programs or change existing policies, but rather fills a specific advisory role within the state government.

Topics ✓ Veterans

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 93: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries facing homelessness or extremely low income. The bill directs these agencies to assess the number of affected individuals, identify service gaps, and explore options like transitional housing models on trust lands. It also mandates the development of a report within a year outlining funding sources, partnership opportunities, and program safeguards while ensuring compliance with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. This measure focuses on improving collaboration between agencies to provide more comprehensive assistance to this specific population without changing existing laws.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 168: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TO CONVENE A DEMOLITION WASTE REDUCTION WORKING GROUP.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development in Hawaii to create a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group to address landfill capacity issues and reduce construction waste. The proposed working group will include representatives from government agencies, private sector industries, and community organizations to develop strategies for increasing deconstruction and material reuse across the state. Key tasks include identifying waste reduction solutions, creating policy incentives for sustainable practices, and ensuring environmental justice considerations are addressed in recommendations. The group is required to submit annual reports with findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature, with a focus on promoting a circular construction economy and reducing landfill dependency.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 201: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO REISSUE REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE JOB ORDER CONTRACTING PROGRAM CONTRACTORS AND PREQUALIFIED SMALL CONTRACTORS TO ENSURE THE CONTINUITY OF THE FUTURE SCHOOLS NOW PROGRAM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to reissue Requests for Proposals for contractors and prequalified small contractors to continue the Future Schools Now program, which uses job order contracting to repair school facilities more quickly and efficiently than traditional methods. The bill directly affects the state's public school system by ensuring uninterrupted access to construction services for addressing a backlog of over $1 billion in deferred maintenance needs across aging school facilities. Key provisions ask the department to initiate new procurement contracts in 2026 before existing agreements expire, maintain the use of job order contracting for accelerated repairs, and submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027 detailing the program's performance metrics.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 140: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA TO ADOPT ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING AS A PRIMARY STRATEGY TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STATEWIDE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution in Hawaii asks the Department of Education to study how mental health-related absences affect student attendance and well-being. The study will examine how often students miss school due to mental or behavioral health concerns, review policies in other states that allow such absences, and evaluate whether recognizing these absences as excused could improve student outcomes. The Department of Education is requested to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, which may include suggestions for policy or legislative changes. This measure does not change current laws but seeks to gather data to inform future decisions about student attendance policies.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 203: URGING THIS BODY TO ESTABLISH A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS AVAILABLE TO STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AND DETERMINE WHETHER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRALIZED PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT OR SIMILAR SERVICE COOPERATIVE WOULD PROVIDE IMPROVED SUPPORT TO PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Legislature to create a working group to study how public charter schools can better access administrative and operational support services. The proposed group would examine whether establishing a centralized charter school district or service cooperative could provide more effective assistance for facilities, transportation, and other back-office functions. The working group would include representatives from the charter schools network, legislative committees, the Board of Education, and various stakeholder organizations. Its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, are to be submitted to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

GM 786: Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, Gubernatorial Nominee, JO BYRNE, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

This bill proposes the appointment of Jo Byrne to serve on the Crime Victim Compensation Commission in Hawaii until June 30, 2030. The nomination is submitted by Governor Josh Green and requires confirmation by the state Senate before Byrne can assume the role. The Crime Victim Compensation Commission provides financial assistance to victims of crimes who suffer physical or emotional harm, and this appointment adds a new member to that oversight body. The bill is a standard personnel action that fills a vacancy on the commission rather than changing the commission's funding or operational rules.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 200: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO IMPLEMENT THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MICRO-CREDENTIAL PILOT PROGRAM DEVELOPED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND THE HAWAII STATE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to implement a pilot program offering micro-credentials to licensed teachers in public and charter schools. The program, developed with the National Education Association and the Hawaii State Teachers Association, provides competency-based professional development where members attend at no cost and non-members pay a $75 fee. Key provisions require the Department to post the program on its professional development website, allow teachers to earn professional development credits upon completion, and have the Hawaii State Teachers Association assist with outreach and verification. The resolution also mandates that the Department submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027 detailing participation rates, educator feedback, and recommendations for future expansion.

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 197: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive performance and financial audit of the Department of Education's capital improvement project backlog. The audit will examine the status of all pending school construction and renovation projects, including their funding levels, timelines, cost estimates, and any delays or administrative issues. The Auditor is instructed to provide a detailed report with recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026, which will help policymakers understand the scale of deferred maintenance and plan future investments. This measure directly affects the Department of Education, the Office of the Auditor, and state taxpayers by seeking greater transparency over public infrastructure spending.

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 118: URGING THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO IDENTIFY FEASIBLE OPTIONS AND MECHANISMS TO PROTECT THE STATE AND ITS RESIDENTS AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF INSURANCE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to form a working group to explore ways to protect residents from climate change impacts on insurance availability and costs. The bill directs the Insurance Division and Attorney General to assess insurance exposure to extreme weather, identify recovery mechanisms, and analyze legal options to seek financial recovery from responsible parties like fossil fuel companies. The proposed working group would include state officials, legislators, and representatives from insurance and relief funds to develop practical solutions for maintaining affordable property coverage.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 103: URGING THE DIVISION OF STATE PARKS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE STATE PARKS, AND TO DEVELOP APPROPRIATE BRANDING AND NARRATIVES FOR PARKS, LANDMARKS, AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT PLACES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

This bill urges the Hawaii Division of State Parks to create a task force focused on improving state parks and developing branding and storytelling for parks and landmarks across the state. The proposed task force would include representatives from state agencies, tourism authorities, and cultural experts to examine best practices in park infrastructure and visitor experience. The group would also study successful branding and retail strategies used by other organizations to potentially generate revenue for park maintenance and preservation. The task force is required to submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature by early 2027, with a focus on creating art and narratives that respect Hawaii's cultural heritage and environmental character.

Bill results