Hawaii Bills | MyRepTracker

passed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2415: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

HB 2415 appropriates state funds to the Department of Transportation for installing pedestrian safety improvements (like crosswalks or signage) at locations directly adjacent to school properties. It also directs the department to consider implementing similar safety measures at other high-risk sites beyond school areas. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to use these allocated funds for specific traffic safety projects, effective July 1, 3000. This policy change directly affects school communities and pedestrians near schools by directing state resources toward physical safety infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

passed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2436: RELATING TO ARTS INTEGRATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Establishes within the Department of Education arts integration coordinator or specialist positions to support fine arts education and arts integration in public schools statewide. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed both · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2438: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CULTURAL TRUST.

HB 2438 establishes the Hawaii Cultural Trust within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to support cultural preservation. It creates an income tax credit for individuals and businesses donating to the Trust or qualified Hawaii cultural organizations, subject to specific conditions. The bill also introduces a special vehicle license plate with proceeds funding the Trust, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. These provisions directly affect donors and cultural organizations by providing new tax incentives and dedicated funding streams.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2416: RELATING TO A MARITIME YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PATHWAY PROGRAM.

Directs the University of Hawaii Community College System, in partnership with state agencies and maritime employers, to conduct a study and develop a plan for a statewide Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Pathway Program for individuals ages 16 to 24. Requires a report to the Legislature with recommendations on program structure, resource needs, proposed legislation and implementation options. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Education

passed both · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2437: RELATING TO ARTS EDUCATION.

HB 2437 allocates state funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to support its "Artists in the Schools" program. This program directly brings professional artists into public schools to provide hands-on arts education. The bill provides concrete funding for the program's operations, including artist stipends and materials. It affects participating public schools and their students by expanding access to in-person arts instruction.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 22, 2026

SCR 79: ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ERADICATION OF OCTOCORAL AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THE WATERS OF PEARL HARBOR, INCLUDING WEST LOCH, MIDDLE LOCH, AND EAST LOCH.

This bill encourages the United States Navy to take responsibility for removing octocoral and other invasive species from Pearl Harbor waters, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch. It urges the Navy to allocate resources to eradicate these invasive organisms, which grow rapidly and harm local marine ecosystems by reducing fish diversity, and to maintain and secure the harbor shoreline. The resolution is a formal request rather than a mandatory law, asking the Navy to address these environmental concerns as the principal caretaker of Pearl Harbor.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 22, 2026

SR 81: ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ERADICATION OF OCTOCORAL AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THE WATERS OF PEARL HARBOR, INCLUDING WEST LOCH, MIDDLE LOCH, AND EAST LOCH.

This Senate Resolution encourages the United States Navy to take responsibility for removing invasive octocoral and other non-native species from the waters of Pearl Harbor, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch. The bill highlights that octocoral spreads rapidly and harms local marine ecosystems by reducing fish diversity, noting that the Navy has already detected these species in the area. It urges the Navy to allocate resources for both eradicating invasive species and maintaining the shoreline, with a certified copy of the resolution to be sent to the Secretary of the Navy. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses the state's preference rather than imposing mandatory requirements.

Topics ✓ Environment

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 22, 2026

SR 52: REQUESTING THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL TO APPOINT A HYDROGEN FIRE SAFETY EXPERT AND PROVIDE TRAINING ON HYDROGEN-RELATED SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

This Senate Resolution requests the State Fire Marshal to appoint a hydrogen fire safety expert to oversee the safety of hydrogen fuel production, storage, and distribution facilities in Hawaii. The expert would be responsible for ensuring these facilities comply with current national fire safety standards and would conduct safety training sessions at least twice each year. Additionally, the resolution asks the State Fire Marshal to provide ongoing training to county fire departments and building inspectors so they can properly understand and enforce hydrogen-related safety protocols statewide. This measure aims to improve fire safety preparedness as Hawaii develops its hydrogen energy infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 22, 2026

SCR 54: REQUESTING THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL TO APPOINT A HYDROGEN FIRE SAFETY EXPERT AND PROVIDE TRAINING ON HYDROGEN-RELATED SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Fire Marshal to appoint a hydrogen fire safety expert to oversee safety at hydrogen fuel production, storage, and distribution facilities. The expert would ensure these facilities comply with current national fire safety standards and conduct safety trainings at least twice annually. Additionally, the resolution asks the Fire Marshal to provide ongoing training to county fire departments and building inspectors on hydrogen-related safety protocols. This measure aims to prepare Hawaii's emergency response and inspection teams for the growing use of hydrogen energy while maintaining safety standards.

Topics ✓ Energy

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 93: CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT ARTS AND CULTURE ENGAGEMENT AND RELATED INITIATIVES.

This Senate Resolution creates a working group to study how Hawaii could establish a state-recognized nonprofit organization to support arts and culture programs. The group will examine successful models from other states, review governance structures, and develop recommendations for a nonprofit that could host artist residencies and educational initiatives. The working group will include representatives from relevant legislative committees and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and must submit its findings to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create the nonprofit itself but sets up a process to determine how such an organization could be structured and funded.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 88: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

This Senate Resolution requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries who are homeless or living on extremely low incomes. The bill directs these agencies to assess how many eligible individuals are affected, identify gaps in current housing assistance, and explore options like transitional housing models on trust lands. It also requires the agencies to evaluate funding sources, partner with nonprofit organizations, and ensure all plans comply with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. The agencies must submit a report to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session outlining their findings and recommendations for a pilot program.

Topics ✓ Housing

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 68: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF NO-BID CONTRACTS ISSUED BY STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES UNDER PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING STATES OF EMERGENCY DURING THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2020, AND DECEMBER 31, 2025.

This Senate Resolution requests the State Auditor to review no-bid contracts issued by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will examine how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods. The Auditor will submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session. This measure aims to identify potential reforms to emergency procurement laws based on past practices.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes