Sen. Troy Hashimoto

Requires each lease that the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity enters into, renews, or extends to include provisions stating that the Department may: (1) enter the leased premises; (2) order or otherwise require the lessee to maintain control of any invasive species on the leased premises; and (3) terminate the lease for refusal or violation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Allows impasses and disputes relating to the amounts of State and county contributions to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to be resolved by arbitration. Repeals the prohibition against strikes by members of bargaining units on the issue of the amounts of State and county contributions to the Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Lowers the age of who may drive commercially within the State from nineteen to eighteen. Repeals the requirement that a person only operates category 3 vehicles to qualify to drive commercially in the State. Prohibits a person under twenty-one years of age from operating a commercial motor vehicle outside of state-approved commercial driver training programs or registered apprenticeship programs as determined by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Requires the Department of Transportation to consult with DLIR to amend its rules to allow persons under twenty-one years of age to operate a commercial motor vehicle under certain conditions. (SD1)

Requires purchase, lease, and power purchase agreements for residential solar energy devices to include a cover page with certain required disclosures. Requires any person or entity that markets, sells, leases, or solicits a residential solar energy device or markets, sells, or solicits power purchase agreements to comply with consumer protection laws. Prohibits any person or entity from installing, marketing, offering financing, or engaging in customer acquisition for a residential solar energy device without holding a contractor's license or having a contractual affiliation with a licensed contractor. Allows for rescission or cancellation of the agreement. Specifies that agreements in violation of the law are voidable. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 2603 designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the official State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. The bill requires the orchestra to submit annual reports to the Hawaii Legislature and appropriates state funds for its operations. This legislation formalizes the orchestra's relationship with the state government through official designation and funding.

Maddy summarySB 3014 increases penalties for harming protected turtles in the state by raising fines for taking or disturbing them. This bill directly affects individuals or entities that interact with protected turtle species, such as beachgoers, developers, or others who might unintentionally or intentionally disturb these animals. The key provision is a specific increase in the monetary penalties for violations of existing turtle protection laws. The bill is currently in committee review, having been introduced on January 23, 2026.

Adds definitions of "identifier" and "specified data element" and amends the definition of "personal information" for the purposes of notifying affected persons of data and security breaches under the State's data breach notification law. Includes telecommunications carriers subject to and in compliance with certain federal provisions among the businesses deemed compliant with this law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 328 creates an income tax credit for dairy farmers who convert their operations to hog farming, covering capital infrastructure costs like building new barns or equipment. It directly affects dairy farm owners planning to switch to hog production. The credit allows eligible farmers to reduce their state income tax liability based on qualifying conversion expenses. The bill takes effect on July 1, 3000, as stated in the official abstract.

Specifies that the School Facilities Authority is not eligible as a housing developer for the purposes of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 608 regulates paid advisors who provide assistance with veterans' benefits applications or appeals. It directly affects veterans who hire such advisors, as well as the advisors themselves, by requiring them to meet specific standards when charging for their services. The bill establishes rules for how these advisors can operate, including transparency requirements and restrictions on certain fees. This aims to protect veterans from unscrupulous practices while ensuring they receive accurate guidance on accessing their benefits. The law takes effect on July 1, 2077.