Hawaii Bills | MyRepTracker

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

GM 1360: Informing the Legislature that on July 15, 2026, the Governor returned the following bill with specific appropriation item(s) stricken or reduced: SB2600 SD1 HD1 CD1

On July 15, 2026, the Governor of Hawaii returned Senate Bill 2600 to the Legislature after vetoing a specific funding provision. The bill originally sought to transfer $50 million from the state's general fund into the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to comply with constitutional requirements for disposing of excess revenue. The Governor objected to this transfer, arguing that the reserve fund is already well-funded and that the money should be retained for other critical state needs. Consequently, the Governor used his line-item veto authority to reduce the appropriation for the reserve fund to just $1, effectively preventing the transfer of the $50 million.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Exempts Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation employees from the requirement that their employment actions and job descriptions be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Executive Director of HHFDC to be paid a salary recommended by its Board of Directors and subject to the approval of the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, not to exceed ninety-nine per cent of the salary of the Governor. Renames the position of Executive Assistant to Deputy Executive Director for HHFDC and increases the salary cap for the Deputy Executive Director. Establishes conditions for the issuance, renewal, and termination of employment contracts issued by the HHFDC, Hawaii Community Development Authority, and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Exempts the Executive Director of HCDA, and officers, agents, and employees appointed by the Executive Director, from the requirement that their employment actions and job descriptions be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Executive Director of HCDA to be paid a salary recommended by the Authority and subject to the approval of the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, not to exceed ninety-nine per cent of the salary of the Governor. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 3234: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

SB 3234 appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to install all-way crosswalks at locations directly adjacent to school properties. This bill directly affects schools, students, and staff by funding physical safety infrastructure at school entrances and exits. The key provision requires the Department of Transportation to use allocated money for these specific crosswalk installations. The bill is currently under review by the TRS and WAM committees, with a public hearing scheduled for February 10, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

vetoed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 3262: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires that the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board submit three nominees for its Executive Director to the Board of Education. Requires the Board of Education to appoint an Executive Director from the nominees on the list, subject to advice and consent of the Senate. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 15, 2026

HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Transportation to administer a statewide program for certification of active intelligent speed assistance systems and select a vendor for the installation and maintenance of systems. Limits the civil liability of motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and retailers for active intelligent speed assistance systems. Makes circumventing or tampering with an active intelligent speed assistance system a misdemeanor. Establishes penalties for operating a motor vehicle in violation of a court-ordered active intelligent speed assistance system requirement. Allows the Judiciary to impose the installation of active intelligent speed assistance systems as an additional penalty and as part of a license suspension or revocation for repeat offenders of certain traffic violations. Effective 1/1/2028. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 15, 2026

HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines "electric bicycle" in place of "low-speed electric bicycle". Authorizes the seizure of non-road-legal or nonconforming electric bicycles and high-speed electric devices. Defines "electric micro-mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters. Prohibits a person under the age of sixteen from operating a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle without direct supervision. Authorizes a person to ride an electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes. Substitutes the term "motor scooter" with the term "motor-driven cycle". (CD1)

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 15, 2026

HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Establishes a temporary, independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission to develop and recommend a comprehensive package of school consolidations, realignments, and closures based on the federal Base Realignment and Closure model. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires an expedited approval process for the recommended school consolidations, realignments, and closures. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 2600: RELATING TO THE GENERAL FUND.

This bill directs a specific amount of money from the state's General Fund into the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund. The transfer is required by Article VII, Section 6 of the Hawaii State Constitution, which mandates these deposits to help stabilize the state's finances during economic downturns. The measure does not create new spending or alter existing programs but rather moves existing funds to a reserve account. It affects the state's overall budget management by ensuring that money is set aside for future financial needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 2851: RELATING TO DEAF INDIVIDUALS.

Authorizes deaf motor vehicle owners to register their vehicle as being owned by a deaf individual so that a deafness designation appears when a law enforcement officer accesses the motor vehicle's information. Effective 1/1/2027. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

SB 2999: RELATING TO A CLEAN FUEL STANDARD.

SB 2999 requires the state Department of Transportation to create and adopt rules by January 1, 2028, establishing a clean fuel standard for alternative transportation fuels like electricity and biofuels. This rulemaking will directly affect fuel providers, refiners, and the state's transportation sector by setting requirements for reducing carbon emissions in these fuels. The bill mandates the DOT to develop specific standards for cleaner fuel use, focusing on lowering greenhouse gas emissions from transportation. It does not set immediate fuel requirements but establishes a timeline for the agency to create enforceable rules. The legislation is currently in committee review after its introduction in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

GM 1349: Informing the Legislature that on July 14, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2137 HD3 SD2 CD1 (ACT 247).

This bill, signed into law as Act 247, establishes legal protections in Hawaii against the malicious use of artificial intelligence to create realistic digital imitations of real people. It directly affects individuals whose likeness, voice, or face could be used without permission for harmful purposes such as fraud, defamation, or commercial advertising. The law prohibits publishing these AI-generated imitations without consent when they are used in ads, cause harm, or facilitate criminal acts, while explicitly exempting uses for parody, satire, news reporting, and historical documentation. Additionally, the act provides civil remedies for victims who suffer reputational injury, financial loss, or emotional distress from unauthorized deepfakes.

Topics ✓ Technology

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

GM 1354: Informing the Legislature that on July 14, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1753 HD2 SD2 CD2 (ACT 252).

This bill, known as the Hawaii Social Media Data Deletion Act, requires large social media platforms to give users clear and effective ways to permanently delete their accounts and all associated personal data. It applies to platforms with at least one million monthly active users nationwide or those generating $25 million or more in annual revenue. The law mandates that these companies remove all stored information, including sensitive details like browsing history and biometric data, when a user requests account termination. Additionally, the act prohibits deceptive practices that might prevent users from successfully deleting their accounts or their data.

Topics ✓ Technology