Hawaii Congressional Bills

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 550: A resolution recognizing that climate change is not a hoax, but sound science.

This is a non-binding Senate resolution (SRES 550) affirming scientific consensus on climate change. It states that climate change caused by fossil fuels is "not a hoax" and "sound science," citing historical scientific findings and recent NASA/Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change data. The resolution specifically criticizes the 2025 decision by the Trump administration to dismantle climate research programs and remove the National Climate Assessment. It calls on Congress to protect mandated climate research programs but does not create new laws or affect any individuals or entities. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal force or direct impact on policy or constituents.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 563: A resolution affirming that the Federal Government should support school district investment in clean school buses.

SRES 563 is a non-binding Senate resolution affirming that the federal government should support school districts in replacing diesel school buses with cleaner alternatives like electric models. It highlights that diesel exhaust - harmful pollutants linked to asthma, missed school days, and long-term health risks for children - directly affects over 30% of U.S. students who ride school buses. The resolution cites bipartisan past efforts, including funding in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to support this transition but does not create new funding or mandates. It serves as a statement of policy preference, not a legislative action.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 558: A resolution recognizing that climate change-driven extreme weather events are increasing at the same time that the government is dismantling weather monitoring and alert systems.

This Senate resolution (SRES 558) recognizes the growing link between climate change and increasingly severe weather events while highlighting reduced staffing and funding for weather monitoring. It cites scientific consensus that climate change intensifies hurricanes, flooding, and heavy rainfall, and notes the National Weather Service has lost over 550 employees since 2025 with proposed $2.2 billion NOAA budget cuts. The resolution formally acknowledges climate-driven weather risks, mourns lives lost to such events, and calls for maintaining adequate funding and staffing for weather monitoring systems. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses the Senate's position but does not create new policy or funding.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

SRES 553: A resolution recognizing that climate change is real.

SRES 553 is a non-binding Senate resolution introduced on December 17, 2025, by Senators Whitehouse, Merkley, Schatz, Markey, Van Hollen, Duckworth, Padilla, Welch, and Blunt Rochester. It formally recognizes that climate change is real, citing decades of scientific evidence linking it to fossil fuel emissions. The resolution does not create new laws, impose requirements, or directly affect any specific groups - it serves solely as a declarative statement of scientific consensus. This is a procedural resolution with no legislative or policy impact.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 17, 2025

HRES 956: Condemning the antisemitic shooting in Sydney, Australia, and all forms of hatred and violence directed at religious communities.

HRES 956 is a symbolic resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives condemning an antisemitic attack that occurred during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia, on December 14, 2025. It expresses strong condemnation of the shooting (which caused deaths and injuries), extends condolences to victims and the Australian Jewish community, and affirms the right to worship freely. The resolution also reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating antisemitism and terrorism and urges the Australian government to address rising antisemitism and protect religious communities. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or directly affect any individuals or groups.

Gregory W. Meeks (D) · 21 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3544: Federal Firearm Licensing Act

S 3544, the Federal Firearm Licensing Act, would require most individuals to obtain a federal license to purchase, receive, or possess a firearm, with exceptions for states that have comparable state licensing systems. To qualify, applicants must complete firearms safety training (including a written test and hands-on shooting demonstration), pass a background check, and provide personal details, firearm specifics, and seller information. Licenses would be valid for one firearm within 30 days and expire after five years, with renewal requiring the same safety training and background check. The bill also mandates point-of-sale background checks through licensed dealers and requires sellers to report all firearm transactions to the federal government within three business days.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3535: GRACE Act

The GRACE Act (S 3535) sets a minimum annual refugee admission target of 125,000 for the U.S., requiring the President to determine this number based on humanitarian needs and national interest. It introduces community/private sponsorship for refugees, allowing groups to provide initial resettlement services instead of traditional agency support. The bill mandates quarterly public reports to Congress on admissions numbers, regional allocations aligned with UN resettlement needs, processing times, security checks, and any shortfall in meeting targets. This directly affects refugees seeking admission, the Department of Homeland Security (which administers processing), and Congress (through transparency requirements).

Topics ✓ Immigration

Edward J. Markey (D) · 18 co-sponsors

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3523: Clean Competition Act

The Clean Competition Act imposes a carbon intensity charge on covered primary goods produced domestically or imported into the U.S., calculated based on how much a facility's carbon intensity exceeds industry benchmarks. The charge starts at $60 per metric ton of CO2-e in 2026 and increases annually, determined by (excess carbon intensity) x (quantity of goods) x (cost of pollution). The bill includes provisions for rebates on exports, reductions for emissions captured directly from the air, and mechanisms to support decarbonization through investments in clean technology. It also establishes "carbon clubs" for international cooperation on climate policies, affecting manufacturers in specific energy-intensive industries and importers of covered goods.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3540: LISTOS Act of 2025

S 3540, the LISTOS Act of 2025, requires major online platforms (those with 10 million+ U.S. monthly active users) to ensure consistent content moderation across languages where they generate revenue. It mandates annual public reports detailing staffing levels, language proficiency, translation practices, automated system performance, and moderation outcomes for each monetized language. Platforms must also make reporting tools and policies accessible in all supported languages. Enforcement falls to the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general, with penalties for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3533: Shadow Docket Sunlight Act of 2025

The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act of 2025 would require the U.S. Supreme Court to publish written explanations and disclose each justice's vote when issuing emergency orders about temporary court orders that block government actions (preliminary injunctions) or stays of such orders. The written explanation must address specific factors, such as whether the applicant is likely to succeed on the merits and whether the order serves the public interest. This rule does not apply to routine administrative decisions or requests to hear full cases. The bill also mandates biennial reports to Congress on how well the Court follows these transparency requirements.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 3550: Schedules That Work Act

The Schedules That Work Act would require employers in retail, food service, cleaning, hospitality, and warehouse sectors to provide workers with at least 14 days' advance notice of their schedules and pay predictability pay for last-minute changes. It gives employees the right to request schedule changes for reasons including health conditions, caregiving responsibilities, or enrollment in career training programs. Employers must engage in a good-faith process to address these requests unless they have a legitimate business reason to deny them. The bill aims to address widespread problems with unpredictable schedules that make it difficult for low-wage workers to manage family responsibilities, access healthcare, and secure stable housing and child care.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Elizabeth Warren (D) · 20 co-sponsors

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 17, 2025

S 612: A bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes.

This bill amends the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to expand grant opportunities for tourism development. It authorizes the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations, and other federal agencies (like Commerce and Transportation) to provide grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations. The grants, funded by $35 million over fiscal years 2025-2029, support tourism initiatives that align with the Act's purposes. This directly affects tribal and Native Hawaiian entities seeking federal funding for tourism projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Hawaii Congressional Bills

Bill results