Hawaii Bills

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2143: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as "Hawaii Care", to provide comprehensive health care benefits to all state residents and eventually replace all existing health care plans in the State. Designates the Hawaii Health Authority as the responsible agency for the comprehensive planning, implementation, and administration of Hawaii Care. Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop and submit a comprehensive implementation and administration plan to the legislature by a certain date. Establishes the Hawaii Care special fund. Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to adopt rules and submit reports to the Legislature. Requires the Governor to appoint members to the Hawaii Health Authority by 12/31/2026. Requires the Department of Human Services to apply for necessary federal waivers. Takes effect 180 days after the approval of the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan and necessary federal waivers. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2253: RELATING TO THE RETENTION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE.

Specifies the types of cases in which evidence must be retained post-conviction and the process by which evidence may be disposed of earlier than the standard period of retention, which includes a procedure for defendants to oppose the disposal of biological evidence by filing an objection with the court.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3061: RELATING TO TAX CREDITS.

Requires that income tax credits existing on 12/31/2026 include a sunset on 12/31/2030. Requires that income tax credits established or renewed after 12/31/2026 include a sunset 7 years after the date of enactment or renewal of the tax credit. Provides for exceptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3079: RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications. Repeals the sunset date for Act 92, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3051: RELATING TO COMMUNITY CARE FOSTER FAMILY HOMES.

Changes the allowed absence by a primary caregiver at a community care foster family home to 48 hours in calendar week with no absence longer than 24 consecutive hours.

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2196: RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.

Repeals the Deposit Beverage Container program on 6/30/26. Allows redemptions to continue until 6/30/27. Establishes the solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling special fund to assist in the gathering and recycling of solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. Requires the Department of Health to submit proposed legislation establishing a program to gather and recycle solar panels and electric vehicle batteries. Lapses any unencumbered balance remaining in the deposit beverage container deposit special fund when the Deposit Beverage Container program is repealed to the credit of the solar panel and electric vehicle battery recycling special fund.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2989: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Renames the Electric Bicycle and Electric Moped Rebate Program to the Electric Mobility Rebate Program. Expands eligibility and amends the maximum rebate amounts. Allows for the registration of class 3 electric bicycles that have wheels smaller than twenty inches and that are intended for adult use. Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines "electric micro-mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro-mobility devices. Prohibits a person under the age of sixteen from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Authorizes a person under the age of fourteen to operate class 2 electric bicycles under supervision. Prohibits a person from riding a class 3 electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Authorizes a person to ride a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes. Changes the term "motor scooter" to "motor‑driven vehicle".

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2931: RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE.

Establishes the Hawaii CARES Fund Long-term Services and Supports Trust Program within the Department of Human Services to be implemented in collaboration with the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Insurance Commissioner, provide eligible beneficiaries with a lifetime benefit for approved long-term services and supports funded through payroll-based premium assessed on wages, with exemptions and optional participation for self-employed persons and certain out‑of‑state participants. Establishes a trust fund commission and council. Establishes premium assessment and collection requirements. Provides cancellation procedures under certain circumstances. Establishes a supplemental private coverage framework and consumer education requirements. Establishes the Hawaii CARES trust fund and investment requirements. Requires DHS, DLIR, and the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2038: RELATING TO MEDICATION LABELING.

SB 2038 would allow certain pregnant people to receive abortion medication with labels that do not include their name or other personal identifying information. This policy change directly affects individuals seeking medication abortion services in the state. The key provision modifies medication labeling requirements to remove personal identifiers from abortion medication packaging. The bill focuses on privacy protections during the medication distribution process, without altering access to abortion services themselves.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3057: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Clarifies that the Department of Health is to presume both the recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services constitute the prevailing medical standard for child health supervision services for purposes of health insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2182: RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE.

Requires the Department of Human Services to conduct a study to recommend legislation to address the issue of long-term care facility closures. Requires reporting.

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2252: RELATING TO THEFT.

Requires a mandatory twelve-month minimum sentence of incarceration for a conviction of theft in the first degree when the value of the property or services stolen exceeds $250,000, whether imposed as a mandatory minimum sentence for an indeterminate term of imprisonment or as a condition of probation, in addition to any other authorized disposition such as restitution or a fine.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill results