Hawaii Bills

signed · Hawaii · House May 26, 2026

HB 1737: RELATING TO FARM EMPLOYEE HOUSING.

HB 1737 clarifies the permitted uses for farm dwellings and employee housing within agricultural districts. It directly affects farm employers and workers in designated farming areas by specifying what types of housing developments are allowed under existing regulations. The bill does not create new rules but makes current zoning expectations clearer to prevent confusion. It takes effect on July 1, 3000.

Luke Evslin (D) Mike Lee (D) Kanani Souza (R) Ikaika Hussey (D) Jackson Sayama (D) · 1 co-sponsor

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 3218: RELATING TO BONDS.

Part I: Substitutes the word "tax increment" with "resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity" for purposes of the Resilient Infrastructure for Shelter and Equity Act, except under certain circumstances. Part II: Conforms state law concerning county debt limits to permit counties to exclude resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds from the debt limit of the counties, if a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds and excluding resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds from determinations of the counties' funded debt is ratified. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Hawaii · House May 26, 2026

HB 2329: RELATING TO CONFORMITY TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

HB 2329 updates Hawaii's state income tax and estate/generation-skipping transfer tax laws to match the federal Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 2025. This bill directly affects Hawaii residents and businesses subject to state income and estate taxes by aligning their tax calculations and rates with federal changes. The key mechanism is synchronizing Hawaii's tax code with federal updates, ensuring state tax rules reflect current federal law without creating new tax obligations.

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 3144: RELATING TO THE HAWAII OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW.

Repeals the requirement that the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations regulate hoisting machines and certify their operators and the Hoisting Machine Operators Advisory Board, including its rules requiring a separate state crane operator certificate. Allows additional time for the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to complete an investigation of a discharge or discrimination complaint pertaining to employees exercising rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Law without formal extension. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 3154: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to assume responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for highway projects, as well as railroad, public transportation, or multimodal projects within the State, allowing streamlined environmental reviews. Provides a limited waiver of sovereign immunity to comply with federal requirements. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Transportation

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2623: RELATING TO LICENSING.

Specifies that registered pharmacy technicians must be at least sixteen years old. Clarifies that registered pharmacy technicians shall be at least eighteen years old and meet other certain requirements to administer vaccinations. Authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to renew certificates of registration for registered pharmacy technicians. Clarifies renewal requirements and forfeiture and restoration provisions for certificates of registration. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House May 26, 2026

HB 2576: RELATING TO BACKGROUND CHECKS.

HB 2576 simplifies the background check process for people applying to work in healthcare facilities, those running them, and staff who directly interact with patients. The bill clarifies existing rules to make it easier for these individuals to undergo necessary screenings without unnecessary hurdles. By streamlining these requirements, the legislation aims to reduce administrative burdens while maintaining safety standards for healthcare environments. This change directly impacts healthcare employers and job seekers within the sector by updating how they must verify criminal histories.

signed · Hawaii · House May 26, 2026

HB 1518: RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

By 1/1/2028, requires the Department of Human Services, upon obtaining a federal waiver, to establish a pre-release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process for inmates nearing release. Allows all individuals convicted of an offense involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance to apply for SNAP benefits, regardless of treatment status. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2125: RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSING.

Allows the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires that unlicensed teachers hired on an emergency basis make continuous and verifiable progress toward satisfying licensing requirements. Sunsets on 6/30/2031, but provides that unlicensed emergency hires employed before the sunset date may continue employment for up to five years from their hiring date, under certain conditions. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Hawaii · House May 26, 2026

HB 2272: MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Makes emergency appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (11) and their excluded counterparts, including health premium payments and the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2140: RELATING TO COUNTY LABOR STANDARDS.

Authorizes counties to require contractors to disclose employee wage, benefit, hour, and employment‑status information. Authorizes counties to deny, revoke, or suspend building permits for violations of related laws under certain conditions. Establishes a process by which an owner or developer may replace a noncompliant contractor and transfer the building permit to the replacement contractor. Exempts from the denial, revocation, and suspension, building permit applications submitted by an owner-occupant for work performed on the owner-occupant's residence. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Hawaii · House May 26, 2026

HB 2250: MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE, ITS OFFICERS, OR ITS EMPLOYEES.

HB 2250 provides funding for payments related to claims filed against the state government, its officials, or employees. It approves specific budget allocations to cover settlements or judgments from these legal claims. This bill does not create new policies or affect the public directly; it simply authorizes state funds for existing claims processing. As a routine appropriations measure, it handles administrative budgeting for the state's legal liabilities.

Bill results