Hawaii Bills

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2439: RELATING TO PESTICIDES.

Requires quarterly rather than annual reporting of all use of restricted use pesticides. Amends the contents of reports to include specific geospatial data and information and increased detail on the amount of restricted use pesticides used. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop an online reporting tool for restricted use pesticides. Appropriates funds.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2403: RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL.

SB 2403 expands the renewable fuels production tax credit by broadening its eligibility rules or increasing the credit amount for producers. This bill directly affects companies that manufacture renewable fuels like ethanol or biodiesel, providing them with potentially larger tax benefits. The key change is modifying the existing tax credit program to support more producers or higher production volumes, without altering the core structure of the credit itself. The bill is currently in early stages of the legislative process.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2482: RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Prohibits public establishments from denying shelter to any person when an emergency alert advises the public to immediately seek shelter during the establishments' normal business hours, under certain conditions. Clarifies that remuneration or expectation of remuneration paid to owners of private property for goods or services other than emergency access to land, shelter, or subsistence, including services or incidental commodities to the emergency access, does not void the exemption from civil liability afforded to these owners except where owners increase the sale price of the service or incidental commodities.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2385: RELATING TO DISASTER SERVICES.

Amends the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency's functions to include ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and related federal and state disability access laws by integrating the needs of individuals with disabilities and others with access and functional needs into emergency planning, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities. Appropriates funds to establish a Disability Integration Specialist and for programming support for disability community projects.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2432: RELATING TO COMMON INTEREST COMMUNITIES.

Requires licensure for individuals managing common interest community associations for compensation. Clarifies that common interest community association manager licensure is distinct from real estate licensure. Establishes the qualifications, continuing education, and standards of conduct required for common interest community association manager licensure. Authorizes the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to administer licensure of common interest community association managers. Clarifies exemptions for licensure requirements. Appropriates funds.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2427: RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.

Establishes and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program under the Department of Human Services to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2027 and 2028.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2500: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Adjusts and requests appropriations for fiscal biennium 2025-2027 funding requirements for operations and capital improvement projects of Executive Branch agencies and programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2490: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

SB 2490 prohibits the manufacture and sale of surfboard wax containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are environmentally persistent chemicals. It directly affects surfboard wax manufacturers and retailers within the state. The bill's key provision bans these specific chemicals in surfboard wax products, aiming to reduce environmental contamination. This policy change targets a common source of PFAS pollution in coastal areas without restricting other uses of the chemicals.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2468: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 2468 would impose an additional tax (a surcharge) on individuals with taxable income exceeding $1,000,000. The revenue generated would fund the State Medicaid Program, but only if the Legislature approves the surcharge. This bill directly affects high-income earners by increasing their tax obligation. The measure is currently in early committee review stages and requires legislative approval to become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2428: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2404: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to revitalize and enhance the Agricultural Statistics Program to collect data on local agricultural interests. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2492: RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.

Requires any disposition of more than one thousand acres of public lands to governments by the Board of Land and Natural Resources to be subject to approval by a majority vote of both houses of the Legislature. Requires the government seeking the disposition of the public land to submit for introduction to the Legislature a resolution containing certain information. Requires a copy of the draft resolution to be sent to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Bill results