Hawaii
2026 Regular Session·386 bills·Adjourned May 8, 2026
Bills
Part I: Clarifies that class 10 special licenses may be granted for a period not to exceed three days per application. In counties with fewer than two hundred thousand residents but more than one hundred thousand residents, amends application requirements for class 10 special licenses, including requirements related to electronic submission, naming, and single applications for certain adjacent parcels of land, and prohibits the conditional acceptance of applications based on certain factors. Part II: Increases the maximum percentage of fines assessed by county liquor commissions that may be used to fund public liquor-related educational or enforcement programs. (CD1)
Part I: Clarifies that class 10 special licenses may be granted for a period not to exceed three days per application. In counties with fewer than two hundred thousand residents but more than one hundred thousand residents, amends application requirements for class 10 special licenses, including requirements related to electronic submission, naming, and single applications for certain adjacent parcels of land, and prohibits the conditional acceptance of applications based on certain factors. Part II: Increases the maximum percentage of fines assessed by county liquor commissions that may be used to fund public liquor-related educational or enforcement programs. (CD1)
Amends prohibitions on the use of lead materials in drinking water distribution to align with the Safe Drinking Water Act and related Code of Federal Regulations. (CD1)
Amends prohibitions on the use of lead materials in drinking water distribution to align with the Safe Drinking Water Act and related Code of Federal Regulations. (CD1)
Removes duplicative food-related statutory material and aligns all food-related provisions under chapter 328, HRS. Ensures adequate statutory authority for permits, fees, inspections, and enforcement. On 6/30/2027, repeals the Sanitation and Environmental Health Special Fund and transfers any unexpended or unencumbered balance to the newly established Food Safety and Environmental Health Special Fund. Makes conforming amendments. (CD1)
Removes duplicative food-related statutory material and aligns all food-related provisions under chapter 328, HRS. Ensures adequate statutory authority for permits, fees, inspections, and enforcement. On 6/30/2027, repeals the Sanitation and Environmental Health Special Fund and transfers any unexpended or unencumbered balance to the newly established Food Safety and Environmental Health Special Fund. Makes conforming amendments. (CD1)
Establishes a two-year pilot project to authorize public employers to petition for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against employment-related harassment of certain public employees. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (CD1)
Establishes a two-year pilot project to authorize public employers to petition for temporary restraining orders and injunctions against employment-related harassment of certain public employees. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (CD1)
Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes prompt payment and financial reporting requirements for professional solicitors that sell donated or collected non-perishable tangible property on behalf of charitable organizations. Prohibits professional solicitors that sell donated or collected non-perishable tangible property from failing to prominently disclose certain information on any collection bin, container, or receptacle used to receive donated or collected non-perishable tangible property or comply with prompt payment, financial reporting, and contract term requirements. (CD1)
Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes prompt payment and financial reporting requirements for professional solicitors that sell donated or collected non-perishable tangible property on behalf of charitable organizations. Prohibits professional solicitors that sell donated or collected non-perishable tangible property from failing to prominently disclose certain information on any collection bin, container, or receptacle used to receive donated or collected non-perishable tangible property or comply with prompt payment, financial reporting, and contract term requirements. (CD1)
Authorizes the mayor of each county to implement a pilot program to improve the speed, accountability, and quality of permit processing within that county through targeted staffing, performance incentives, and interdepartmental competition. Authorizes increased pay for certain permitting positions and requires county personnel departments to prioritize the hiring of permitting positions as part of the pilot program. Requires participating county mayors and county agencies to establish goals for the pilot program. Requires participating county agencies to submit quarterly reports to the respective county councils on the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot project on 6/30/2030. (CD1)
Authorizes the mayor of each county to implement a pilot program to improve the speed, accountability, and quality of permit processing within that county through targeted staffing, performance incentives, and interdepartmental competition. Authorizes increased pay for certain permitting positions and requires county personnel departments to prioritize the hiring of permitting positions as part of the pilot program. Requires participating county mayors and county agencies to establish goals for the pilot program. Requires participating county agencies to submit quarterly reports to the respective county councils on the pilot program. Sunsets the pilot project on 6/30/2030. (CD1)
Increases the expenditure ceiling and appropriates funds out of the State Risk Management Revolving Fund to distribute property and liability insurance proceeds related to the 2023 Maui wildfires to be expended by the School Facilities Authority, Department of Transportation, and Department of Land and Natural Resources to rebuild and restore certain state facilities in Lahaina. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to submit to the Legislature a master coordinated project plan developed in collaboration with certain state agencies and in consultation with the County of Maui and other relevant entities. Requires the Department of Education to transfer exclusive site control over the new King Kamehameha III Elementary School property to the SFA while the School is under construction. Requires DAGS to transfer to the SFA any materials deemed necessary for the construction of the School and to provide further support as necessary upon request. Requires the SFA to submit monthly progress reports to the Governor and Legislature. Allows the Governor to transfer certain authorities and responsibilities from the SFA to another state agency under certain conditions. Requires full funding for the projects for which funds are appropriated to be available before expenditure. (CD1)
Increases the expenditure ceiling and appropriates funds out of the State Risk Management Revolving Fund to distribute property and liability insurance proceeds related to the 2023 Maui wildfires to be expended by the School Facilities Authority, Department of Transportation, and Department of Land and Natural Resources to rebuild and restore certain state facilities in Lahaina. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to submit to the Legislature a master coordinated project plan developed in collaboration with certain state agencies and in consultation with the County of Maui and other relevant entities. Requires the Department of Education to transfer exclusive site control over the new King Kamehameha III Elementary School property to the SFA while the School is under construction. Requires DAGS to transfer to the SFA any materials deemed necessary for the construction of the School and to provide further support as necessary upon request. Requires the SFA to submit monthly progress reports to the Governor and Legislature. Allows the Governor to transfer certain authorities and responsibilities from the SFA to another state agency under certain conditions. Requires full funding for the projects for which funds are appropriated to be available before expenditure. (CD1)
Clarifies liability and increases penalties and enforcement mechanisms for dog attacks on livestock occurring on land or premises within the agricultural district. (CD1)
Clarifies liability and increases penalties and enforcement mechanisms for dog attacks on livestock occurring on land or premises within the agricultural district. (CD1)
Part I: Explicitly applies existing grant standards to Performing Arts Grants Program grants under the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Part II: Transfers the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from the Department of Accounting and General Services to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Transfers certain authority and responsibilities held by the Comptroller regarding the Works of Art Special Fund to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. (CD1)
Part I: Explicitly applies existing grant standards to Performing Arts Grants Program grants under the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Part II: Transfers the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from the Department of Accounting and General Services to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Transfers certain authority and responsibilities held by the Comptroller regarding the Works of Art Special Fund to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. (CD1)
Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as a school resource officer identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or other law enforcement agency as a labor shortage or difficult-to-fill position and stationed at a public school, subject to certain conditions. Establishes criteria for various agencies to use in identifying labor shortage or difficult-to-fill positions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction or the human resources management chief executive of each county to include in their annual reports to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as school resource officers. (CD1)
Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as a school resource officer identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or other law enforcement agency as a labor shortage or difficult-to-fill position and stationed at a public school, subject to certain conditions. Establishes criteria for various agencies to use in identifying labor shortage or difficult-to-fill positions. Requires the director of human resources of the appropriate state jurisdiction or the human resources management chief executive of each county to include in their annual reports to the Legislature, details on the employment of retirants as school resource officers. (CD1)
Provides that taxable income subject to reporting as distribution on Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-R may be subject to withholding at the taxpayer's election. Requires the Department of Taxation to adopt rules and prescribe forms. Applicable to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. (CD1)
Provides that taxable income subject to reporting as distribution on Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-R may be subject to withholding at the taxpayer's election. Requires the Department of Taxation to adopt rules and prescribe forms. Applicable to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. (CD1)
Establishes new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities. (CD1)
Establishes new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities. (CD1)
Clarifies the Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program by: (1) allowing the Hawaii Community Development Authority to prohibit renting, advertising for rent, or using for any other purpose other than owner-occupied residential use a residential condominium unit, by rule, rather than statutorily; (2) exempting the design, development, and construction contracts from procurement requirements, subject to prevailing wage requirements for laborers and mechanics; (3) requiring HCDA to adopt rules to implement an initial sales period during which residential condominium units are offered only to eligible buyers for owner-occupied residential use; (4) authorizing the sale of a residential condominium unit that is not subject to an income restriction and was not sold within a certain period to be sold to other buyers, as determined by rule by HCDA, without an owner-occupancy requirement; (5) requiring HCDA to adopt rules that require at least sixty per cent of residential condominium units to be income restricted; and (6) requiring HCDA to establish rules to require buyback pricing similar to other state agencies' existing pricing formulas. (CD1)
Clarifies the Ninety-Nine Year Leasehold Program by: (1) allowing the Hawaii Community Development Authority to prohibit renting, advertising for rent, or using for any other purpose other than owner-occupied residential use a residential condominium unit, by rule, rather than statutorily; (2) exempting the design, development, and construction contracts from procurement requirements, subject to prevailing wage requirements for laborers and mechanics; (3) requiring HCDA to adopt rules to implement an initial sales period during which residential condominium units are offered only to eligible buyers for owner-occupied residential use; (4) authorizing the sale of a residential condominium unit that is not subject to an income restriction and was not sold within a certain period to be sold to other buyers, as determined by rule by HCDA, without an owner-occupancy requirement; (5) requiring HCDA to adopt rules that require at least sixty per cent of residential condominium units to be income restricted; and (6) requiring HCDA to establish rules to require buyback pricing similar to other state agencies' existing pricing formulas. (CD1)
Authorizes the Department of Health to accept accreditation or certification from an accreditation organization or a certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as demonstration that a licensed home health agency is in compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State. Specifies conditions under which a home health agency may be exempt from a licensing inspection on a continuing basis throughout the accreditation or certification period. Requires information obtained in reports of survey and accreditation or certification letters to be public information. (CD1)
Authorizes the Department of Health to accept accreditation or certification from an accreditation organization or a certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as demonstration that a licensed home health agency is in compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State. Specifies conditions under which a home health agency may be exempt from a licensing inspection on a continuing basis throughout the accreditation or certification period. Requires information obtained in reports of survey and accreditation or certification letters to be public information. (CD1)
Specifies that the Chief Election Officer may only be terminated for cause. (CD1)
Specifies that the Chief Election Officer may only be terminated for cause. (CD1)
Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in the Central Maui area of the County of Maui and fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel. (CD1)
Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in the Central Maui area of the County of Maui and fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel. (CD1)
Updates Hawaii's statutory framework for adult and community education programs to ensure alignment with federal funding requirements and current best practices in those programs. (CD1)
Updates Hawaii's statutory framework for adult and community education programs to ensure alignment with federal funding requirements and current best practices in those programs. (CD1)
Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain necessary supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (CD1)
Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain necessary supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (CD1)
Clarifies administrative driver's license revocation procedures by specifying the effect of the notice of administrative revocation and conforming related administrative review and hearing provisions. (CD1)
Clarifies administrative driver's license revocation procedures by specifying the effect of the notice of administrative revocation and conforming related administrative review and hearing provisions. (CD1)
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop and implement a project to improve portions of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor while ensuring public access, as envisioned by the 2022 University of Hawaii Community Design Center Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor Vision Report. Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease the remaining portion of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor; provided that the lease shall expire on or before 6/30/2046. Repeals provisions relating to the leasing of certain fast and submerged lands of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. (CD1)
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop and implement a project to improve portions of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor while ensuring public access, as envisioned by the 2022 University of Hawaii Community Design Center Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor Vision Report. Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to lease the remaining portion of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor; provided that the lease shall expire on or before 6/30/2046. Repeals provisions relating to the leasing of certain fast and submerged lands of Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. (CD1)
Modernizes Hawaii's emergency medical services laws to align with current best practices and adopt a time-sensitive emergency medical systems of care model. Expands the Community Paramedicine Program to include integrated mobile health care; permit additional partnerships with professional organizations and educational institutions; and authorize certain telehealth services by providers located in or out of the State, under certain circumstances. Renames the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council the Hawaii Emergency Medical Systems of Care Advisory Council and amends its membership. (CD1)
Modernizes Hawaii's emergency medical services laws to align with current best practices and adopt a time-sensitive emergency medical systems of care model. Expands the Community Paramedicine Program to include integrated mobile health care; permit additional partnerships with professional organizations and educational institutions; and authorize certain telehealth services by providers located in or out of the State, under certain circumstances. Renames the State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council the Hawaii Emergency Medical Systems of Care Advisory Council and amends its membership. (CD1)
Repeals the sunset provisions of Act 236, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, thereby making permanent the requirement that the Department of Transportation ensure that the securing of mooring lines from vessels to commercial docks, wharves, piers, quays, and landings be performed by labor subject to collective bargaining. (CD1)
Repeals the sunset provisions of Act 236, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, thereby making permanent the requirement that the Department of Transportation ensure that the securing of mooring lines from vessels to commercial docks, wharves, piers, quays, and landings be performed by labor subject to collective bargaining. (CD1)
Beginning 1/1/2028, requires natural hair braiders to be registered, rather than licensed, under the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. By 11/1/2026, requires the Board to adopt rules prescribing the approved courses or programs that cover sanitation, health, and safety practices required for natural hair braiding registration. (CD1)
Beginning 1/1/2028, requires natural hair braiders to be registered, rather than licensed, under the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. By 11/1/2026, requires the Board to adopt rules prescribing the approved courses or programs that cover sanitation, health, and safety practices required for natural hair braiding registration. (CD1)
Part I: Makes conforming amendments to section 76-16(b), HRS, for positions the Department of Accounting and General Services is authorized to establish and fill pursuant to section 266(b)(9), HRS, and requires annual reports to the Legislature. Part II: Authorizes DAGS to establish and fill up to 3 full-time equivalent positions within its Public Works Division's Special Project Branch that shall be exempt from civil service and collective bargaining requirements as part of the State's efforts to undertake unique and specialized public works projects and requires DAGS to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Part II: Sunsets 12/31/2031. (CD1)
Part I: Makes conforming amendments to section 76-16(b), HRS, for positions the Department of Accounting and General Services is authorized to establish and fill pursuant to section 266(b)(9), HRS, and requires annual reports to the Legislature. Part II: Authorizes DAGS to establish and fill up to 3 full-time equivalent positions within its Public Works Division's Special Project Branch that shall be exempt from civil service and collective bargaining requirements as part of the State's efforts to undertake unique and specialized public works projects and requires DAGS to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Part II: Sunsets 12/31/2031. (CD1)
Establishes the Statewide Air Medical Services Program within the Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Branch to coordinate and strengthen air medical services. Establishes the positions of an air medical director, an air medical program manager, and an air medical coordinator. Specifies that annual licensure and accreditation fees are to be deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund for costs of the program. (CD1)
Establishes the Statewide Air Medical Services Program within the Department of Health, Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention Systems Branch to coordinate and strengthen air medical services. Establishes the positions of an air medical director, an air medical program manager, and an air medical coordinator. Specifies that annual licensure and accreditation fees are to be deposited into the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund for costs of the program. (CD1)