This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 082 into law on June 4, 2026. The law modifies the state's election code to ensure the Chief Elections Officer can only be removed from their position for cause, rather than at-will. It requires the elections commission to provide written notification of any removal along with the specific reasons for the action. This change directly affects the job security and removal process for the state's top election official.
This bill exempts operators of wing-in-ground craft, also known as seagliders, from Hawaii's Water Carrier Act regulations. These vessels use a unique technology that allows them to fly just above the water surface, offering a zero-emission option for interisland travel. By removing them from the Public Utilities Commission's oversight, the legislation aims to lower costs and encourage the adoption of this efficient transportation method to support the state's decarbonization goals and improve connectivity between islands.
This bill mandates that all applicants for driver's licenses or state identification cards in Hawaii must complete a voter registration form as part of their application process. The key mechanism is automatic voter registration, where eligible individuals are added to the voter rolls unless they explicitly decline on the application form. The law also requires applicants to provide proof of U.S. citizenship during this process, with information transmission to election officials blocked if citizenship cannot be verified. This change directly affects all residents seeking a driver's license or ID card by integrating voter registration into the standard issuance procedure.
This bill formally notifies the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed SB2138 into law on May 29, 2026. The legislation expands tuition assistance under the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include company grade officers (ranks O-1 through O-3), in addition to enlisted personnel and warrant officers. It also clarifies that eligible recipients must be state residents and undergraduate or graduate students attending any University of Hawaii campus. The changes take effect on July 1, 2026, pending the availability of funds.
This bill, known as Act 063, authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to issue permits allowing the collection of marine deposits like sand, dead coral, and rocks for specific purposes such as research, education, and environmental management. Previously, existing laws prohibited taking these materials from state waters, but this legislation creates a legal pathway for their removal under controlled conditions. The law mandates that collected resources be returned to the beach whenever possible and requires that the activity poses no more than a minimal risk to the environment. Additionally, the bill expands existing exceptions to include taking materials for responding to public emergencies or disasters.
This bill, known as Act 060, amends the Hawaii Revised Statutes to change where the budget for the State Fire Council is allocated. Specifically, it moves the funding for the council's meetings and the salaries of its administrator and administrative assistant from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to the Department of Law Enforcement. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's approval by the Governor on May 29, 2026. This legislative update directly affects the administrative structure and budgeting process for the State Fire Council within the state government.
This bill, signed into law on May 29, 2026, allows pet owners in Hawaii to request written prescriptions for their animals from veterinarians so they can fill those prescriptions at a pharmacy of their choice. The law requires veterinarians to inform clients of this right and mandates that prescriptions include specific details like the animal's name, the medication dosage, and the veterinarian's signature. While licensed pharmacies can dispense these medications, the bill explicitly states that veterinarians are not responsible for storage issues or errors made by third-party pharmacies. To receive a prescription, a veterinarian must first establish a relationship with the pet owner and examine the animal to ensure proper medical care.
This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii on May 29, 2026, updates regulations for commercial operators using state small boat harbors. It requires these operators to obtain written authorization, pass vessel inspections, and prove they are at least eighteen years old before securing a use permit. The law also establishes a new fee structure based on factors like vessel size, impact on natural resources, and whether the boat is used for commercial passenger transport or as a liveaboard.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 064 on May 29, 2026, which updates regulations for landscape architects. The law authorizes the state board of professional engineers, architects, surveyors, and landscape architects to set educational and examination requirements for licensure. Additionally, the act clarifies the specific experience needed to become a licensed landscape architect in the state. These changes allow the board to implement standards it deems appropriate while maintaining oversight over professional qualifications.
This bill expands the state's existing privacy protections to explicitly include gender-affirming health care services alongside reproductive health care. It establishes legal safeguards against "abusive litigation" by allowing individuals to sue for damages and attorney fees if they face frivolous lawsuits or professional disciplinary actions related to these lawful medical services. The legislation also prohibits medical malpractice insurers and health carriers from taking adverse actions against providers solely because they offer reproductive or gender-affirming care. Additionally, the bill clarifies that standard insurance activities, such as fraud prevention or contract enforcement, remain unaffected by these new protections.
This bill, signed into law on May 28, 2026, clarifies and strengthens penalties for violations of boating and ocean recreation laws in Hawaii. It directly affects anyone operating boats, using small boat harbors, or engaging in related activities within the state. The key provision updates the legal code to specify that offenses such as operating a vessel without insurance, ignoring speed limits, or abandoning animals in harbors are punishable as petty misdemeanors. These violations can now result in fines of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to thirty days, or both, whereas previous penalties were less defined. Additionally, the bill sets specific escalating fines for traffic infractions related to parking and movement within these facilities.
This bill creates a temporary disability travel placard for individuals with removable windshield placards or paid parking exemptions who do not have special license plates. The program allows these travelers to obtain a two-sided, hanger-style placard at airports or ports to park in accessible spaces while traveling within or outside Hawaii. The travel placard is valid only for the duration of the trip, expiring on the last day of the month following the return date indicated on proof of travel. This measure directly affects people with mobility disabilities who need to use accessible parking during their journeys but lack permanent special license plates.
