Hawaii Bills

signed · Hawaii · House May 6, 2026

HB 1516: RELATING TO PRETRIAL RELEASE.

HB 1516 requires courts to consider a defendant's actual financial ability to pay bail when determining pretrial release conditions. This bill directly affects individuals facing pretrial detention decisions, particularly those with limited financial resources. The key provision mandates that judges evaluate specific factors related to a defendant's financial situation before setting bail amounts. The bill is currently in its early stages, having been introduced and passed first reading on January 21, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Mike Lee (D) Kanani Souza (R) Gregg Takayama (D) Terez Amato (D) Shirley Templo (D)

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SCR 41: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND BIOSECURITY TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests state and county agencies to work with community organizations to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The bill targets approximately 32% of households currently experiencing food insecurity, with particular focus on families with children, young adults, and historically marginalized communities. Key provisions require the strategy to be data-driven and equity-focused, addressing barriers to food access, analyzing economic and climate trends, and including community participation in planning. Agencies must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 to inform future policy and funding decisions.

signed · Hawaii · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2088: RELATING TO ADOPTIONS.

HB 2088 requires written consent for adoptions to be notarized, directly affecting birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoption agencies involved in the process. The bill adds a new procedural step where all written adoption consents must be verified by a notary public before being submitted. This change aims to standardize documentation and verify consent authenticity in adoption cases. The bill passed unanimously in the Judiciary and Housing Committee on February 4, 2026, and is pending final passage by the full House. It does not alter adoption eligibility or child welfare standards but modifies the documentation requirements for consent.

signed · Hawaii · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2099: RELATING TO VACANCIES.

HB 2099 amends the procedures for handling vacancies among party candidates and state senators. It directly affects political parties and state senators' offices by changing how vacancies are filled. The bill modifies the existing process but does not specify new appointment methods or timelines in the provided abstract. As a procedural bill, it focuses on administrative changes to vacancy resolution without altering substantive policy.

signed · Hawaii · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2089: RELATING TO CERTIORARI REVIEW BY THE HAWAII SUPREME COURT.

Establishes a fixed disposition deadline requiring the Supreme Court to decide an application for certiorari within 60 days after the application is filed. Applies prospectively to cases in which the judgment or dismissal order of the Intermediate Court of Appeals was filed on or after the effective date of this Act.

signed · Hawaii · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 2090: RELATING TO DOMESTIC ABUSE ORDERS FOR PROTECTION.

Removes the requirement that requests to withhold from public inspection the petition record of a denied temporary restraining order or denied protective order be made orally.

signed · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HR 3: URGING THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT TRANSGENDER MEMBERS OF THE HAWAIʻI NATIONAL GUARD FROM DISCRIMINATORY FEDERAL POLICY AND PERMIT QUALIFIED TRANSGENDER SERVICE MEMBERS TO CONTINUE THEIR SERVICE.

This House Resolution (HR 3) urges Hawaii's Governor to protect transgender members of the Hawaii National Guard from federal policies banning transgender military service. It references Executive Order 14163, which bars transgender individuals with gender dysphoria or medical transition history from serving and pauses gender-affirming care. The resolution requests the Governor take action to allow qualified transgender service members to continue their military service in Hawaii. As a symbolic resolution (not a law), it does not change federal policy but expresses state support for affected service members.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · House Apr 24, 2026

HCR 43: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO INSTALL RAISED CROSSWALKS AT THE UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LAUIKI STREET, AND KAMOKU STREET INTERSECTIONS WITH HIHIWAI STREET TO IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY NEAR ALA WAI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.

This bill urges the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services to install raised crosswalks at three specific intersections with Hihiwai Street to enhance pedestrian safety near Ala Wai Elementary School. The proposed changes target University Avenue, Lauiki Street, and Kamoku Street, where current traffic controls are considered insufficient for high volumes of pedestrians including students and families. Raised crosswalks would physically slow vehicles and improve visibility for drivers, addressing safety concerns at these busy residential intersections. The resolution directs copies to city officials and school leaders to facilitate the implementation of these traffic calming measures.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

signed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 2256: RELATING TO BROTHER JOSEPH DUTTON DAY.

This bill designates April 27 of every year as "Brother Joseph Dutton Day" to honor his contributions. It is a commemorative resolution with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on legislation or constituents. The bill is currently pending introduction in the legislature, having been referred to the WLA committee after initial reading.

signed · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HCR 162: REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ARTS DATA AND MAPPING TASK FORCE TO CONDUCT A STATEWIDE SURVEY OF ENTITIES ENGAGED IN ARTS AND ARTS EDUCATION AND DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE DATABASE AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM MAP OF ARTS ENTITIES AND PROGRAMS.

This bill requests the creation of an Arts Data and Mapping Task Force to conduct a statewide survey of arts and arts education programs across Hawaii. The task force will develop a comprehensive database and geographic map to identify where arts programs exist, who they serve, and where access gaps may occur. The group will include representatives from schools, nonprofits, government agencies, and community organizations, and will submit reports to the Legislature by 2028 and 2030. The database will focus on mapping program availability and distribution without evaluating program quality or outcomes.

signed · Hawaii · House Apr 20, 2026

HB 1716: RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Establishes a process by which any political party continuously listed on the general election ballot for two consecutive general election cycles shall be deemed continuously qualified for ballot placement. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 14, 2026

SB 3225: A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATUTORY REVISION: AMENDING OR REPEALING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE HAWAII REVISED STATUTES OR THE SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII FOR THE PURPOSES OF CORRECTING ERRORS AND REFERENCES, CLARIFYING LANGUAGE, OR DELETING OBSOLETE OR UNNECESSARY PROVISIONS.

Amends or repeals various provisions of the HRS or the SLH for the purposes of correcting errors and references, clarifying language, or deleting obsolete or unnecessary provisions.

Bill results