This bill updates the definition of agricultural districts in Hawaii to include a wider range of activities and facilities. It explicitly adds wind energy, solar energy, biofuel production, and farm employee housing to the list of uses that qualify as agricultural. The law also clarifies rules for solar facilities on certain land types and allows for agricultural tourism and recreational facilities within these districts.
This bill requires insurance companies to provide a reasonable explanation for premium increases when a policyholder requests one in writing. It also updates the list of reasons the state insurance commissioner can deny, suspend, or revoke an insurance license, adding specific grounds such as failing to pay child support or taxes and improperly using study materials during exams. The law directly affects insurance providers, their employees, and consumers by increasing transparency on pricing and tightening oversight of licensing standards.
This bill amends pharmacy laws to establish clearer and fairer rules for auditing pharmacy records. It requires auditors, including the state and insurance companies, to send written notice at least two weeks before an on-site inspection and to specify which prescriptions will be reviewed. The law also clarifies that simple clerical or computer errors do not automatically constitute fraud and cannot be used to impose criminal penalties without proof of intent to deceive. Additionally, it ensures that pharmacies have a minimum of sixty days to respond to audit findings if their contracts do not specify a longer period. These changes aim to standardize audit procedures and protect pharmacies from penalties based on minor mistakes.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB2329 into law on May 26, 2026, making it official state policy. The law updates Hawaii's income and estate tax rules to align them with the federal Internal Revenue Code as of December 31, 2025. It specifically incorporates various federal tax provisions related to pandemic relief, such as excluding certain recovery rebates and grants from taxable income, while explicitly excluding other federal tax rules from state application. This change ensures that Hawaii taxpayers follow the same definitions for calculating gross and taxable income as the federal government for the specified tax year.
This bill, signed into law as Act 041, amends Hawaii's occupational safety and health statutes to update definitions and strengthen enforcement powers. It removes the specific legal definitions for "hoisting machine" and "hoisting machine operator," while simultaneously granting the state department the authority to issue emergency temporary safety standards without a public hearing if workers face immediate danger. The legislation also clarifies the process for employers to request variances from safety rules and allows the department to extend compliance deadlines for those who cannot meet standards immediately. These changes directly affect employers, employees, and the state agency responsible for workplace safety regulations.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed SB2623 into law on May 26, 2026, updating the rules for pharmacy licensing. The law amends state statutes to clarify the duties of registered pharmacy technicians, specifying that they can perform certain non-discretionary tasks under a pharmacist's supervision and must be at least eighteen years old to administer vaccinations. It also grants the state pharmacy board expanded authority to inspect wholesale drug distributors, deny licenses to applicants with disciplinary records from other states, and approve pilot research projects for innovative pharmacy practices. Additionally, the bill establishes that all pharmacy licenses and registrations must be renewed every two years by December 31 of odd-numbered years.
This bill directs the Governor to inform the Hawaii Legislature that he signed HB2271 into law on May 26, 2026. The law provides emergency funding to resolve financial issues related to temporary hazard pay for specific state employee groups during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It authorizes the state to use these funds to restore budget accounts that were previously adjusted to cover hazard pay, ensuring departments have the necessary resources to operate. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date for certain emergency appropriations from Act 29 until June 30, 2027.
This bill clarifies and streamlines background check requirements for individuals working at healthcare facilities in Hawaii. It directly affects applicants, employees, and volunteers who have direct access to patients or their personal information. The law mandates specific checks, including searches for adult and child abuse records, criminal history, and sex offender registry status, while explicitly excluding staff whose duties do not involve direct patient contact. Additionally, the act defines who qualifies as a "direct patient access employee" to ensure the background screening process applies appropriately to those in positions of trust.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed SB3102 into law on May 21, 2026, establishing a formal framework for port pilotage in the state. The law requires the director of transportation to consult with the department of commerce and consumer affairs when setting standards for licensing, including exam requirements and pilot fees. It grants the director authority to issue, suspend, or revoke pilot licenses based on safety violations, negligence, or substance abuse, while ensuring an adequate supply of qualified pilots for commercial vessels. Additionally, the bill mandates that the director determine the number of pilots needed to maintain efficient navigation services in Hawaii's commercial ports.
This bill directs the Governor to inform the Hawaii Legislature that he signed Act 021 into law on May 21, 2026. The legislation provides an emergency appropriation of $14,248,126 to the Department of Human Services to reimburse funds used for food security efforts during a recent federal government shutdown. Additionally, it allocates $16,500,000 for the upcoming fiscal year to help cover health insurance premiums for residents who may lose federal coverage due to new federal policies. These funds are intended to support the Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Hawaii Food Bank, and call center services while ensuring healthcare providers can continue to treat uninsured individuals.
This bill, signed into law on May 21, 2026, establishes income tax credits for individuals and businesses in Hawaii who install renewable energy systems. The primary mechanism provides a 35% tax credit for solar energy systems and a 20% credit for wind-powered systems, subject to specific cost caps that vary by property type and system size. To prevent large-scale commercial projects from receiving excessive credits, the law excludes systems with a capacity of five megawatts or more that require a new power purchase agreement approved after December 31, 2019. The bill also includes special provisions for solar systems integrated with pumped hydroelectric storage and allows multiple owners of a single system to share the credit based on their financial contribution.
This bill amends Hawaii law to allow individuals under the age of twenty-one to obtain a commercial driver's license for intrastate commerce. To qualify, applicants must be at least eighteen years old, hold a standard driver's license for two years without suspensions or serious traffic violations, and either participate in a registered apprenticeship or complete a structured on-the-job training program with at least 320 hours of supervised instruction. The law specifically restricts these young drivers from transporting hazardous materials, carrying passengers in school vehicles, or operating outside the scope of their approved training.
