Increases from 70% to 90% the taxation rate on electronic smoking devices and e-liquid sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer after 12/31/2026. Provides for the deposit of the additional tax revenue into the Hawaii cancer research special fund.
Requires release on recognizance for defendants charged with violations, traffic offenses, nonviolent petty misdemeanors, nonviolent misdemeanors, and nonviolent class C felonies, subject to conditions. Establishes exclusions for specified offenses, threats to public safety, and wilful flight. Requires findings when bail or detention is imposed, ongoing review of continued detention or conditions, and a prompt hearing if bail cannot be posted. Requires prosecutors to notify victims of pretrial decisions.
Removes references to countdown timers as it relates to pedestrian-control signals, including the requirement that pedestrians must begin crossing a roadway before a countdown timer begins.
Requires any law enforcement officer acting under color of law in a public space or on state or county property to remain visibly identifiable. Prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while performing their duties, with certain exceptions. Requires law enforcement officers to wear apparel and use vehicles that bear conspicuous markings of the applicable law enforcement agency. Requires all civil law enforcement activity that involves participation by state or county law enforcement officers or occurs on state or county property to be conducted in a manner that adheres to specified standards. Deems certain locations to be service-first spaces and requires them to have clear, narrowly tailored procedures with respect to civil immigration actions. Requires all state and county agencies to adopt policies that limit the collection, retention, and sharing of immigration-related personal data. Requires all interagency data exchanges between state agencies, county agencies, or state and county agencies to operate under auditable agreements. Requires all state and county agencies to report annually to the Legislature and Governor regarding the civil-immigration-related requests. Requires every state and county agency to adopt a policy that prohibits immigration-based harassment or threats, including unwarranted verification of an individual's immigration status, with respect to employment or the provision of services to the public. Requires all state and county law enforcement officers to monitor civil immigration enforcement activity by activating body cameras when present in a situation in which United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are interacting with a member of the general public.
Establishes Immigrants Day as a state holiday that is held annually on October 28. Changes Statehood Day from a state holiday to a day of recognition.
Authorizes a county with a pre-existing surcharge to continue the surcharge after December 31, 2030, at the same rate of 0.5 per cent; provided that after December 31, 2030, the split or disbursement of this surcharge between the State and the counties shall be 0.25 per cent each with the State's share being reserved and allocated to the Med-QUEST division of the Department of Human Services. Expands the authorized use of surcharge revenues to more than capital costs of a locally preferred alternative for a mass transit project for counties with a population greater than five hundred thousand.
Part II: For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025, establishes an Agroecological and Climate-Smart Farming Practices Tax Credit to be administered by the Department of Taxation. Part III: Establishes the Hawaii Farm to Families Program and requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Part IV: Requires the Department of Education to strengthen the State's farm to school meals program initiatives.
Expands the general excise tax exemption established by Act 47, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, to include amounts received by optometrists, audiologists, and chiropractors, for healthcare-related goods or services purchased under the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs.
Requires marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, psychologists, and clinical social workers to complete courses related to domestic violence for licensure and renewals.
Prohibits any person from openly carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. Includes bladed weapon in the list of deadly or dangerous weapons. Establishes an affirmative defense to a prosecution for the purposes of lawful self-defense and transporting a weapon.
