Rep. Luke Evslin

Requires the Department of Transportation to adopt rules governing a clean fuel standard for alternative fuels in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Allows the carrying or possessing of firearm parts only at or between certain locations and in an enclosed container. Defines firearm parts and prohibited persons. Establishes and increases penalties for the carrying or possessing of certain firearms or firearm parts other than at or between specific locations and in an enclosed container.

Establishes an exemption from applicable county permit requirements for repetitive construction projects for facilities under the control of any state department or agency, under certain conditions. Clarifies that, except for projects in special flood hazard areas, contracts for the construction, renovation, or repair of facilities under the control of the Department of Education, University of Hawaii, or School Facilities Authority shall be exempt from county permitting requirements that related off-site improvements be made by the contracting government agency as a condition to the issuance of any permit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Establishes a Desalination Planning Task Force to examine the feasibility of, and develop a plan and timeline for, the use desalination as a source of potable water in the State.

Appropriates funds for the Native Resources and Fire Protection Program and Hawaii Invasive Species Council to ensure their long-term viability and continue to control and eradicate invasive species in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

By 1/1/2028, requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a family and medical leave insurance program and begin collecting payroll contributions to finance payment of benefits. By 1/1/2029, requires the Department to start receiving claims and paying benefits under the program. Specifies eligibility requirements and employee protections under the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryHB 78 is a short-form bill related to housing that has been carried over to the 2026 Regular Session. The official abstract does not provide specific details about the bill's provisions, affected parties, or concrete policy changes. Without additional information from the full text, it is not possible to describe the bill's specific mechanisms or impacts. The bill was introduced in January 2025 and referred to the Housing, Safety, and Government Affairs committee.

Repeals existing law that preempted local ordinances or regulations that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices and nullified and voided any conflicting local laws and regulations. Allows counties to adopt ordinances that regulate the sale of cigarettes, tobacco products, and electronic smoking devices that do not conflict with and are more stringent than the state law that govern smoking.

Requires the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Department of Health to develop and implement a comprehensive messaging and informational campaign to prevent cannabis use among the State's youth. Requires the Division to establish and enter into contracts with community-based organizations to award grants to prevent substance misuse among youth through evidenced-based prevention programs. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Establishes cat owner liability for harm to property or native birds. Prohibits the care of predators on state lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Establishes administrative fines.