Hawaii Bills

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2226: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in the name of the people of the State as parens patriae against any responsible party to recover certain costs or obtain certain relief, including costs and losses incurred by the Hawaii Property Insurance Association, Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or other state entities, resulting from climate attributable harm or costs for risk of future climate attributable harm. Authorizes the Hawaii Property Insurance Association and Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, or any private insurer licensed in the State to bring a civil cause of action against a responsible party to recover its costs and losses resulting from climate attributable harm.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3060: RELATING TO USE OF FORCE IN SELF-PROTECTION.

Provides that an actor is not obliged to retreat for purposes of self-defense and defense of others, from agricultural lands if the actor is lawfully present as an owner, lessee, employee, or agent of the State, unless the actor was the initial aggressor.

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2149: RELATING TO TAX HAVEN ABUSE.

Part I: Effective 1/1/2027, requires corporations to include in their income the income of all foreign subsidiaries to the State; applies the State's apportionment formula to determine the share of reported profits subject to the appropriate tax, which shall be deposited into the state general fund; and requires corporations to report all profits, losses, revenues, and inter-company transactions made and all taxes paid in other states. Part II: Establishes within DOTAX a Corporate Tax Law Task Force to annually review the State's corporate tax laws and recommend updates to close tax loopholes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3080: RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Clarifies the Rental Housing Revolving Fund statute by defining "mixed-income rental projects" to establish consistent eligibility and use of appropriations for mixed-income rental housing projects. Clarifies that mixed-income rental projects are primarily for households at or below one-hundred-forty per cent of the area median income, allowing participation by higher-income households. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to transfer funds between the Rental Housing Revolving Fund into the mixed-income subaccount to support eligible mixed-income projects, without legislative approval. Repeals the sunset date in Act 159, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, thereby making these provisions permanent. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2302: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Based solely on the provided context, a substantive summary of HB 2302 cannot be generated. The official abstract states only "Short form bill relating to education" with no specific provisions described. The bill's recent actions (introduced, passed first reading, referred to Education committee) indicate its legislative status but reveal no policy content. Without details on the bill's specific requirements, affected parties, or mechanisms, any summary would be speculative. More information about the bill's actual text or committee reports is needed to provide an accurate summary.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3006: RELATING TO LAND USE.

Requires any petitioner for a district boundary amendment to obtain certification from the Commission on Water Resources Management that enough water is available for the project needs without causing harm to the relevant aquifers and provide that certification to the Land Use Commission.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3020: RELATING TO TRANSPARENCY.

Requires food, beverage, and service establishments that accept tips and employ tipped employees to post signs that include certain language explaining their tip allocation practices and the contact information for the Wage Standards Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Wage and Hours Division of the United States Department of Labor. Allows DLIR to adopt rules to establish fines.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2176: RELATING TO FOOD PRICING.

HB 2176 requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to study how other states regulate price gouging for food products. This bill does not change current law or directly affect consumers, businesses, or other stakeholders - it only directs a research study. The bill is currently in early stages (referred to committees after introduction on January 28, 2026). It focuses solely on gathering information, not implementing new policies.

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2261: RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Clarifies the Rental Housing Revolving Fund statute by defining "mixed-income rental projects" to establish consistent eligibility and use of appropriations for mixed-income rental housing projects. Clarifies that mixed-income rental projects are primarily for households at or below one-hundred-forty per cent of the area median income, allowing participation by higher-income households. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to transfer funds between the Rental Housing Revolving Fund into the mixed-income subaccount to support eligible mixed-income projects, without legislative approval. Repeals the sunset date in Act 159, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, thereby making these provisions permanent. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2178: RELATING TO SCHOOLS.

Requires public schools with elementary students to allow faculty and staff to provide time and space each day for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and Hawaii Ponoi.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 2039: RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

SB 2039 prohibits certain business entities from participating in election-related activities or campaign finance. It directly affects businesses that might otherwise contribute to or influence campaigns. The bill's key provision bans these entities from engaging in campaign finance activities, such as donating to political committees or spending on electioneering communications. This policy change aims to limit business influence in elections by restricting their financial involvement.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2430: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning no later than the 2028-2029 school year, requires the Department of Education to administer a dyslexia-sensitive universal screening to all students in kindergarten through grade three. Beginning with the 2028-2029 school year, requires certain employees of public schools to have an opportunity to participate in training on literacy instruction. Requires a report to the Legislature and Board of Education before the 2031-2032 school year. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

Bill results