Hawaii Bills | MyRepTracker

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1292: Informing the Legislature that on July 7, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1573 HD3 SD1 (ACT 190).

This bill establishes a certification system requiring manufacturers of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids to annually verify compliance with federal and state laws before selling products in Hawaii. Starting in October 2026, companies must submit detailed forms listing specific product brands, categories, and flavors, along with proof of FDA approval and a $1,000 fee per product. By January 207, the state will publish a public directory of approved products, and any electronic smoking devices or e-liquids not listed in this directory will be prohibited from sale, possession, or distribution within the state.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1288: Informing the Legislature that on July 6, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2907 SD1 HD3 CD1 (ACT 186).

This bill officially designates Hawaii as an ocean cluster to promote its growing blue economy, which includes industries like marine construction, tourism, and fisheries. It creates a new Office of Marine Affairs within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation and establishes a Marine Affairs Coordinator to lead these efforts. The legislation also transfers existing marine affairs functions from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to this new office, repealing the former department's authority over these matters. By centralizing these responsibilities, the bill aims to leverage Hawaii's unique position as an island state to foster innovation and economic growth in ocean-related sectors.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1294: Informing the Legislature that on July 7, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1959 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 192).

This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 192 into law on July 7, 2026, which amends existing statutes related to domestic violence. The primary change requires the state judiciary to submit annual reports to the legislature by December 1 of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. These reports must detail case outcomes, defendant demographics, completion rates for intervention programs, and the time it takes to resolve cases. Additionally, the final report in 2030 will include an evaluation of a pilot project to determine if it improved case resolution speeds and reduced recidivism.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1303: Informing the Legislature that on July 7, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3204 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 201).

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program to help families in Hawaii build resilience and reduce the risk of child abuse or neglect. The Office of Wellness and Resilience will hire and train five peer support navigators to assist up to eighty families with accessing public benefits, parenting classes, and cultural support services. The program will also connect families to community resources and help them apply for assistance with housing, education, or employment based on their specific goals. At the end of the pilot, the office must submit a report to the legislature detailing how many families participated and the positive changes they experienced.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1302: Informing the Legislature that on July 7, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2861 SD2 HD2 CD1 (ACT 200).

This bill directs the Office of Wellness and Resilience to create a plan for a pilot program called "Kakou" aimed at helping families and children in need. The plan must include specific services such as child wellness visits, food distribution, counseling for families leaving foster care, and trauma-informed care for those at risk of neglect. The Office is required to submit a preliminary report to the legislature by early 2027 and a final report by June 30, 2027, after which the planning phase ends. Starting in 2028, the Department of Human Services may use existing temporary assistance funds to run the pilot, which will also include hiring an external evaluator to assess its effectiveness. The legislation includes a provision stating that any part of the bill conflicting with federal requirements will not take effect, while the rest of the law remains in force.

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1284: Informing the Legislature that on July 6, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2360 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 182).

This bill modernizes Hawaii's enterprise zone program to better support local businesses by expanding the range of eligible activities and updating qualification rules. It allows local manufacturers that sell directly to retailers to qualify for benefits, adds new eligible sectors such as aerospace technology and specific medical services, and permits the state to designate up to two census tracts on state land as enterprise zones if they contain innovation enterprises. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a comprehensive review of the program in consultation with the Department of Taxation and report its findings to the legislature. These changes aim to revitalize neighborhoods and promote job creation and preservation for local companies in designated areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1293: Informing the Legislature that on July 7, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1960 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 191).

This bill establishes a mandatory human trafficking awareness training program specifically for workers in Hawaii's transient accommodations sector, such as hotels and short-term rentals. The Department of the Attorney General is required to develop this training by July 2027, covering topics like identifying trafficking indicators and proper reporting procedures, though employers may submit alternative programs for approval. Once the program is ready, businesses must train their employees and contractors within 180 days of hiring and repeat the training every two years while keeping records of completion. Additionally, employers must display official human trafficking awareness signage in a visible location for their staff by January 2028.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1286: Informing the Legislature that on July 6, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2599 SD2 HD3 CD1 (ACT 184).

This bill redesignates the existing stadium development district as the Halawa community development district to better manage the area surrounding the new Aloha Stadium and the nearby rail station. It transfers zoning and entitlement authority for this district from the City and County of Honolulu to the Hawaii Community Development Authority, allowing the state agency to oversee development and charge fees for services. Additionally, the bill creates a special fund to finance district projects and requires the comptroller to verify that all capital costs comply with laws and the intended use of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1290: Informing the Legislature that on July 6, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1576 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 188).

This bill requires state agencies to publicly announce details about film productions and tax credit recipients at state locations or through prequalification processes. The law mandates that the department post the production name and contact information for a designated representative on its website and notify interested parties via email or mail within five business days, or fourteen days during emergencies. It applies to anyone filming at state-administered sites or any taxpayer seeking a motion picture production tax credit. The bill also includes administrative provisions allowing the department to create rules to implement these transparency requirements.

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 7, 2026

HB 1576: RELATING TO FILMING.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production obtains a permit or enters into a memorandum of agreement or understanding with DBEDT to film a visually recorded production at certain locations. Requires DBEDT to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production registers for pre-qualification or is determined to qualify for the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit and simultaneously post notice on a publicly accessible part of its website. Allows individuals to sign up to receive the public notice by electronic mail or postal mail. Provides an exemption for dispositions of lands set aside for filming and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 7, 2026

HB 1682: RELATING TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INTIMATE IMAGES.

HB 1682 creates civil legal remedies for individuals whose intimate images are shared without consent. It directly affects people who experience non-consensual disclosure of intimate images, allowing them to sue offenders in court. Key provisions include enabling victims to seek monetary damages and court orders to stop the sharing or removal of the images. The bill focuses on civil remedies, not criminal penalties, providing a legal pathway for victims to address violations.

Topics ✓ Technology

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

SB 2175: RELATING TO DISPOSABLE ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES.

SB 2175 prohibits the sale, offering for sale, or distribution of certain disposable electronic smoking devices beginning January 1, 2027. This law directly affects retailers who sell these devices and consumers who purchase them. The key provision sets a specific date (January 1, 2027) for the ban to take effect. The bill focuses on restricting the availability of these devices through a clear sales prohibition.