This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on May 28, 2026, extends the time limit for filing discrimination complaints in Hawaii from 180 days to one year. The change directly affects individuals who believe they have faced unlawful discrimination under state law, giving them more time to report incidents to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. By amending Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 368-11, the legislation ensures that the clock for filing a complaint starts from the date of the discriminatory act or the last occurrence in a pattern of ongoing discrimination. This adjustment aims to provide a more reasonable timeframe for victims to recognize and seek redress for civil rights violations.
This bill directs the Governor to inform the legislature that he signed Act 055 into law on May 28, 2026. The act authorizes the Department of Health to run a three-year pilot program allowing its employees to use a portion of their accrued vacation time to pay for a down payment on a home. To qualify, employees must be permanent staff in good standing who meet specific residency and homeownership history requirements. The program aims to help state workers overcome high housing costs without requiring them to leave their jobs.
This document is a formal notification from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature confirming that House Bill 1541 was signed into law on May 28, 2026. The bill amends state civil service rules to clarify which government positions are excluded from standard civil service protections. Specifically, it lists various roles that are exempt, including National Guard members, elected officials, department heads, judges, and certain court staff. Additionally, the law permits the use of contract hiring for special or unique services and allows for immediate hiring to comply with court orders without waiting for normal recruitment procedures.
This bill removes the $600,000 annual spending limit on the special fund that supports Hawaii's automated victim information and notification system. The change directly affects the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, allowing the agency to use available funds to cover rising costs for salaries, contracts, and operational expenses without a statutory cap. By repealing the expenditure ceiling, the legislation ensures the system can continue providing real-time updates to crime victims regarding offender custody changes and parole hearings. The special fund itself is financed by surcharges on inmate commissary purchases and revenues from inmate telephone services.
This bill, signed into law as Act 044, prohibits oversized commercial vehicles and those towing trailers from driving in the far left lane on roads with three or more lanes in the same direction. The restriction applies specifically to counties with a population of 500,000 or more and allows exceptions for vehicles turning, exiting, or emergency and passenger transport vehicles. Violations are subject to escalating fines up to $1,000 and may require attendance at a traffic safety course for repeat offenders within three years.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB2096 into law on May 27, 2026. The law amends child protective statutes to establish a specific process for handling cases where a child faces "aggravated circumstances," such as parental murder, severe assault, or sexual abuse. When these serious conditions are found, the court must order a permanency hearing within thirty days and can move to terminate parental rights within sixty days unless a compelling reason exists to keep the parents involved. Additionally, the bill expands the legal definition of aggravated circumstances to include situations like a parent having rights terminated for a sibling or being required to register as a sex offender.
This document is a formal notification from the Governor of Hawaii to the legislature confirming that HB2592 was signed into law on May 27, 2026. The bill, titled Act 053, amends the laws governing the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority to clarify its powers regarding land use on the mountain. Specifically, it sets deadlines for the authority to adopt a management plan and establishes conditions under which management responsibilities would revert to the University of Hawaii. The text also extends the date for transferring certain powers from the university to the authority to ensure a smooth transition.
This bill serves as a formal notification that Governor Josh Green signed HB 2505 into law on May 27, 2026, making it official state legislation. The underlying law modifies how the state handles individuals committed to the Department of Health for mental health treatment by adding a new pathway called assisted community treatment. Under this provision, if a clinical team decides an individual does not need involuntary hospitalization but still requires oversight, they must identify a community mental health program to provide services and file a petition with the family court. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and ensures that individuals remain in custody only until a judge rules on the petition for community treatment.
This bill updates official job titles within the State of Hawaii's civil service to align with modern industry standards. It specifically changes the title of 'private secretary' to 'executive assistant' and 'secretary' to 'administrative assistant' for applicable state positions. The changes take effect on July 16, 2024, and are intended to make the state's job titles more appealing to potential applicants.
This bill is a formal notification from the Governor to the Hawaii Legislature confirming that SB2398 was signed into law on May 27, 2026. The legislation requires the Board of Water Supply to publish a map of its service areas and a list of restricted areas on its website by January 1, 2029, without needing to provide detailed parcel-by-parcel data or specify utility assets. Additionally, the board must respond to water availability requests for small residential properties within 45 days, and these determinations will remain valid for 90 days unless the board specifies otherwise. The bill also allows the board to include a disclaimer stating that the published map data is preliminary and does not guarantee actual water availability.
This bill formally notifies the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB2319 into law on May 27, 2026. The legislation amends state statutes to update the definition of health care and expand the responsibilities of the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Key changes include a broader definition of health care that explicitly covers oral, behavioral, and long-term care, as well as new duties for the agency to assess gaps in access, quality, and cost, including the use of artificial intelligence. The bill also mandates that the agency update the state health services and facilities plan at least every four years after consulting with relevant councils.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on May 27, 2026, amends Hawaii's Uniform Probate Code to enhance privacy protections for individuals involved in guardianship and conservatorship cases. It establishes a new system where specific documents, such as birth certificates and tax returns, are automatically sealed upon filing, while highly sensitive materials like medical records and professional evaluations are temporarily sealed pending a court hearing. These provisions ensure that personal health information and evaluations regarding a person's capacity are not immediately accessible to the public unless a judge determines there is a compelling reason to allow access. The changes primarily affect courts, attorneys, and the individuals whose personal records are subject to these new confidentiality rules.
