Hawaii Bills

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 173: CONVENING A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS EVENT TICKET SCALPING IN HAWAII.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to evaluate the environmental and ecological impacts of jug line fishing, a passive fishing method that uses floating buoys to suspend baited hooks. The bill specifically targets concerns about how this practice affects non-target marine species, including endangered animals like the Hawaiian monk seal and hawksbill sea turtle, and contributes to marine debris. If the assessment identifies issues, the resolution requires the department to create new regulations under Chapter 91 of Hawaii's Revised Statutes to address those concerns. This measure does not immediately ban the practice but mandates a formal review and potential rulemaking to protect marine ecosystems.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 196: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL FOR A TIERED, COORDINATED, AND STANDARDIZED BELL SCHEDULE FRAMEWORK FOR DEPARTMENT SCHOOLS.

This bill requests the Hawaii Department of Education to create a standardized bell schedule framework for public schools across the state. The proposed framework would organize school start and end times by level - elementary, middle, and high school - while still allowing local flexibility and meeting minimum instructional hour requirements. The bill requires the department to consult with school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and transportation providers during development. This initiative aims to address current inconsistencies in school schedules that affect transportation, staffing, family logistics, and coordination with community programs.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 100: CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT SANCTUARIES AND OTHER CONSERVATION-RELATED INITIATIVES FOR ENDANGERED AND OTHER SPECIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution establishes a working group to study how Hawaii could create a state-recognized nonprofit organization to support endangered species sanctuaries and conservation projects. The group will be led by committee chairs from both legislative chambers and will include representatives from natural resources agencies and invited experts. Its main task is to research successful sanctuary models used in other places, examine how they are governed, and propose a structure for a new nonprofit that could help protect Hawaii's unique wildlife. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create the nonprofit itself but sets up a process to develop plans for one.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 110: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN COORDINATION WITH THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING STATE-OWNED OR STATE-CONTROLLED WAREHOUSE AND LOGISTICS FACILITIES NEAR PORTS, HARBORS, AND AIRPORTS TO REDUCE MATERIAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLICLY FINANCED HOUSING PROJECTS.

This bill requests that Hawaii's Department of Transportation work with the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to form a working group that studies whether the state should own or control warehouses and logistics centers near ports, harbors, and airports. The goal is to lower material costs for publicly funded affordable housing projects by improving supply chain efficiency and reducing transportation expenses caused by Hawaii's reliance on imported building materials. The working group will examine potential sites, analyze cost savings from bulk purchasing, consider public-private partnerships, and determine what legal changes might be needed to implement such facilities. The group must include representatives from transportation, housing agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders, and will submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 166: REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO MAKE CERTAIN JUDGMENTS, CONSIDERATIONS, AND DECISIONS WHEN MAKING ANY DETERMINATION RELATING TO A GENERATIONAL ENERGY COMMITMENT FOR THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to impose specific conditions before approving any liquefied natural gas-related costs for utilities. The bill requires that all LNG infrastructure costs be fully paid off by 2045, eliminates take-or-pay fuel contracts, prevents rate increases for Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui counties, and mandates utilities share fuel price volatility with customers. Additionally, the resolution asks the commission to deny LNG costs if cheaper renewable alternatives exist or if the agreement would lock utilities into purchasing more gas than needed for renewable energy operations. This measure directly affects Hawaiian Electric and other utilities by setting stricter financial and environmental criteria for approving natural gas projects.

Topics ✗ Energy

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 50: ESTABLISHING THE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN WORKING GROUP TO DESIGN AND RECOMMEND A BASIC, AFFORDABLE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN AVAILABLE TO EVERY RESIDENT OF THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution establishes the Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design and recommend a basic, affordable health plan available to every resident of the state. The working group will include representatives from the legislature, governor's office, insurance commissioner, state health planning agency, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente. The group is tasked with developing a plan to address potential increases in uninsured residents due to changes in federal health insurance subsidies and Medicaid work requirements, with a report due to the Legislature by late 2026. The working group will cease to exist on June 30, 2027, after submitting its final recommendations and any proposed legislation.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 178: URGING ALL STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT TO IMPLEMENT PROMPT PAYMENT TRANSPARENCY MEASURES AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES FOR ITS EFFORTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges all state and county agencies in Hawaii that handle construction projects to create public websites showing payment information for contractors and subcontractors. The bill asks these agencies to display details about job progress, payments made, and retained funds within one year of the resolution's adoption. It specifically thanks the Public Works Division for its existing transparency efforts and requests agencies unable to comply explain their barriers to the Legislature. While the resolution does not mandate immediate legal changes, it sets a timeline for agencies to report on their progress and consider future legislation to improve payment transparency in public construction.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 149: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ASSESS THE SERVICES AND FUNDING NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF COMPLEX PATIENTS WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE DIAGNOSES THAT INCLUDE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, OR CHRONIC PHYSICAL ILLNESSES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Health to create an informal working group to evaluate services and funding for patients with multiple diagnoses, including substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and chronic physical illnesses. The working group will examine how to better integrate care for these high-need individuals, potentially by establishing residential treatment facilities that combine medical, behavioral, and social support services. The group will consider specific service models, staffing needs, and funding options, with the goal of reducing fragmented care and improving health outcomes. The Department of Health is asked to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 58: URGING THE DIVISION OF BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP A PROGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR PARKING VIOLATIONS IN PARKING LOTS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION; ENSURE PROPER USE OF PARKING AREAS BY INTENDED USERS; AND IMPROVE THE PREVALENCE AND CLARITY OF SIGNAGE REGARDING PARKING REGULATIONS, FEES, AND PENALTIES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation to create a more balanced enforcement system for parking violations at its small boat harbors. The bill asks the agency to issue clear warnings before towing vehicles for minor parking infractions, ensuring proper use of parking areas by intended users, and improving signage that explains parking rules, fees, and penalties. It aims to protect specialized enforcement officers from routine parking duties and reduce unnecessary towing impacts on vehicle owners while maintaining order at the state's sixteen small boat harbors.

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 57: ENDORSING TAIWAN'S INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION, SUPPORTING THE SIGNING OF A UNITED STATES-TAIWAN AGREEMENT ON AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION, AND COMMEMORATING THE SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND TAIWAN.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution from Hawaii endorses Taiwan's participation in international organizations, supports a proposed tax agreement between the United States and Taiwan, and commemorates their sister-state relationship. The bill expresses support for Taiwan's observer status in the International Civil Aviation Organization, International Criminal Police Organization, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, while encouraging negotiations for a double taxation avoidance agreement. It also recognizes the existing sister-state partnership established in 1993 and highlights ongoing cooperation in trade, education, tourism, and disaster management between Hawaii and Taiwan. The resolution is non-binding and serves to align Hawaii's position with federal policy while celebrating bilateral ties.

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 139: REQUESTING THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR, FOR INCLUSION IN THE STATE UNIFIED PLAN, A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE WORKFORCE STRATEGY TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE OF THE STATE HAVE A PATHWAY TO A CAREER THAT ENABLES THEM TO LEARN, WORK, AND THRIVE IN THE STATE AND CONTRIBUTE TO A VIBRANT LOCAL ECONOMY GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY VALUES BY 2045.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Workforce Development Council to create a long-term statewide workforce strategy by 2045 to help all residents find careers that allow them to live and work in Hawaii. The bill directs the Council to recommend this plan to the Governor for inclusion in the State Unified Plan, aiming to address concerns about high living costs, limited job opportunities, and the risk of young people leaving the state. Key provisions include establishing a unified framework for state and county efforts, incorporating work-based learning and youth internship programs, and setting specific metrics to track progress in job quality and economic resilience. The strategy is intended to align various government agencies, nonprofits, and labor organizations around shared goals to improve career pathways and local economic stability.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 159: URGING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE STAKEHOLDERS TO ADOPT SHARED GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE PLANNING, FINANCING, AND UNDERTAKING OF EFFORTS FOR THE RESTORATION, IMPROVEMENT, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BEACHES, SHORELINE, AND COASTAL AREAS OF WAIKIKI.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges state and local leaders to adopt shared guiding principles for restoring and maintaining Waikiki beaches, which are vital to Hawaii's economy, culture, and public access. The bill outlines five key strategies including prioritizing public access to the ocean, conserving natural resources, coordinating regional planning across ownership boundaries, leading beach improvement efforts through state coordination with cost-sharing among multiple entities, and confirming property owners' responsibility for maintaining seawalls. While this resolution does not create new laws or funding, it establishes a framework for future planning and management of Waikiki's shoreline from Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor to Kaimana Beach.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results