Hawaii Bills

This bill amends Hawaii's historic preservation laws to clarify the specific documents required for project applications and to streamline the review process for private property owners. It defines a "complete submittal" to include detailed plans, photographs, and archaeological or cultural surveys, ensuring applicants provide comprehensive information before starting work. Additionally, the bill establishes a 90-day timeline for the state department to review private construction projects affecting historic sites, allowing owners to proceed once approval is granted or the deadline passes. These changes aim to make the permitting process more predictable while maintaining protections for historic properties.

This bill establishes a pilot program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to help local farmers and ranchers pay for transporting their goods and supplies. Eligible participants, including small-scale producers and cooperatives, can receive reimbursements covering up to 50% of their transportation costs or a maximum of $25,000 per year, with a total annual budget cap of $2 million. The program is designed to offset rising shipping expenses and tariffs that currently make it difficult for local agricultural businesses to operate profitably. To ensure accountability, the department must submit an annual report to the legislature detailing how many producers were helped and how much money was spent.

This bill, signed into law by the Governor on June 3, 2026, removes the expiration date from safety regulations for commercial harbor mooring operations established in 2024. By repealing the sunset provision that was set to delete these rules on July 1, 2028, the legislation ensures that the harbor safety requirements remain in effect indefinitely. The change directly impacts the State's commercial harbor system by providing long-term operational certainty for the regulations designed to protect harbor infrastructure.

This bill, officially known as Act 073, amends Hawaii state laws regarding traffic violations and vehicle tax enforcement. It directly affects drivers and vehicle owners by establishing stricter penalties for driving on road shoulders and clarifying procedures for seizing vehicles with unpaid taxes. Under the new provisions, a first-time shoulder lane violation carries a $250 fine, while repeat offenses within five years incur a $1,000 fine. Additionally, the bill updates the rules for vehicle seizure and sale due to delinquent taxes, including specific timelines for redemption and auction, and grants an exemption from these penalties for owners of antique motor vehicles that are not in use.

This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on June 3, 2026, amends the rules for neighborhood and community outreach boards in Hawaii to clarify how a quorum is defined. The key change requires a quorum for conducting official business, discussing matters before voting, and casting votes to validate board actions, though boards can still gather information without a full quorum. For Honolulu neighborhood boards with vacancies, the law specifies that a majority of filled seats will count as a quorum for these purposes. The new provisions will take effect on January 1, 2027, ensuring clearer procedures for board meetings and decision-making.

This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on June 4, 2026, amends Hawaii's public procurement code to introduce a five percent evaluation preference for in-state businesses. The law requires state agencies to award contracts based on competitive sealed bidding while allowing a modest price advantage for local companies, provided they meet specific verification standards. Key provisions include clear rules for bid evaluation, reciprocity arrangements with other states, and limitations to ensure the program does not violate federal funding requirements. By capping the preference percentage and establishing strict administrative guidelines, the act aims to support local economic development while reducing legal risks associated with aggressive local preference programs.

This bill directs the State of Hawaii to allocate $1,750,000 from general revenues for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to purchase an advanced life support ambulance and related equipment for the central Maui area. The funds will also cover the pay-related costs for hiring one state-certified emergency medical technician and one state-certified paramedic to staff the new vehicle. The Department of Health is responsible for expending these funds, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

This message informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed SB3069 into law on June 4, 2026. The bill amends state statutes to define which positions are exempt from standard civil service recruitment rules within the Department of Accounting and General Services. Specifically, it lists various roles, such as National Guard members, certain contract workers, and specific court staff, that do not need to go through normal hiring procedures. The text provided cuts off before detailing all exempt positions, but it establishes the legal framework for these exceptions.

This bill authorizes the University of Hawaii to issue up to $28.5 million in revenue bonds to fund capital projects such as new construction, renovations, and repairs of facilities including classrooms, laboratories, and student housing. The funds will be used to address the university's infrastructure needs, with the principal and interest on the bonds secured solely by university revenues rather than taxpayer money. Additionally, the legislation requires the university to notify the legislature of specific projects funded by the bonds and includes a provision to assist financially needy students in offsetting potential increases in room and board costs resulting from the new debt. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026, allowing the university to begin financing these priority construction and maintenance efforts.

This bill updates Hawaii's adult and community education laws to align with current federal funding requirements and modern educational practices. It directly affects state agencies and programs that receive federal grants for adult education by changing the statutory definition of eligible program areas. Key changes include renaming "homemaking and parent education" to "family and community education," adding English language acquisition and civics education as a core component, and establishing workplace literacy programs. The legislation also clarifies who qualifies as an "eligible individual" for these federally funded initiatives to ensure the state's programs meet national standards.

This bill updates Hawaii's emergency medical laws to create a modern, integrated system of care that addresses time-sensitive emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, and trauma. It directly affects emergency responders, hospitals, and patients by establishing statewide protocols and ensuring coordinated care across all islands. Key provisions redefine basic life support to allow for more advanced procedures like IV lines and defibrillation under specific supervision, while also mandating a minimum number of ground ambulance units per county. The legislation aims to improve patient outcomes and strengthen the state's ability to handle disasters and public health crises.

This bill establishes a new statewide air medical services program within the Hawaii Department of Health to improve the coordination and oversight of emergency air transport across the islands. The legislation creates three permanent, full-time positions - a state air medical director, a program manager, and an air medical coordinator - to ensure dedicated staff for clinical oversight, policy development, and operational management. These roles will work to standardize care protocols, streamline transport times, and enhance disaster readiness by integrating air medical services with broader emergency response systems. The program is designed to address current structural gaps that have led to fragmented coordination and prolonged transport times for patients in rural and remote areas.