Hawaii Bills

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2025

SB 1170: RELATING TO THE EXPEDITIOUS REDEVELOPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING.

Authorizes the director of a county planning department to issue a special management area use permit to redevelop permanent affordable multi-family rental housing that has been substantially destroyed as result of certain natural disasters, with certain exceptions. Permits county planning departments and any other applicable state or county department or agency to amend or modify final plans and specifications for redevelopment of an existing experimental and demonstration housing project, with certain restrictions. Requires county planning departments and any other applicable state or county department or agency to prioritize approving permits for the redevelopment of permanent affordable multi-family rental housing in special management areas, under certain circumstances. Exempts permanently affordable multi-family rental housing projects within a special management area that are being redeveloped and are located on properties or districts on the state or national historic register from environmental impact statement requirements. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2025

SB 933: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Appropriates moneys to the Office of Community Services of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for the award of grants for fiscal year 2025-2026. Establishes an evaluation and selection committee to oversee the awarding of grants. Authorizes the Office of Community Services to contract the services of Aloha United Way to assist with the administration and distribution of grant awards. Appropriates moneys to the Office of Community Services for positions, office equipment, and furniture. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 9, 2025

HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.

Clarifies that the statute of repose applies to contract, tort, and statutory claims. Clarifies the required contents of a notice of claim of a construction defect served on a contractor. Clarifies the process and time frame by which a claimant may accept or reject a contractor's offer to settle and authorize repairs. Clarifies the mediation process for construction defect claims. Clarifies the statute of limitation or repose for construction defect claims. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 8, 2025

SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.

Exempts reconstruction of any lawfully constructed structure that was damaged or destroyed in a disaster proclaimed by the Governor to constitute a state of emergency or a disaster declared pursuant to federal law from the requirements of a special management area minor permit or a special management area use permit under certain conditions. Sunsets 7/1/2028. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 8, 2025

HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.

Effectuates the recommendations of the "Phase 3" Forward-Looking Report by Fire Safety Research Institute on the 2023 Maui wildfires and further clarifies the appointment and role of the State Fire Marshal. Establishes the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes the State Fire Marshal Selection Commission. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 8, 2025

SB 465: RELATING TO THE KIKIAOLA SMALL BOAT HARBOR.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study of the carrying capacity of Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor and its surrounding area in the County of Kauai. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 8, 2025

HB 1001: RELATING TO SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS RELATED TO THE MAUI WILDFIRES.

Establishes the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund to be administered by the Attorney General. Appropriates funds to fund the settlement of claims related to the 2023 Maui wildfires. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 8, 2025

HB 794: RELATING TO STATE BONDS.

Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds. Makes findings required by Article VII, Section 13, of the Hawaii State Constitution to declare that the issuance of authorized bonds will not cause the debt limit to be exceeded. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 8, 2025

SB 223: RELATING TO FIRE PREVENTION.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish an independent program relating to the prevention, control, and extinguishment of wildland fires within forest reserves. Authorizes the Administrator of Forestry and Wildlife to establish and maintain facilities for the performance of fire protection, fire prevention, pest control, and forest and range protection and enhancement activities. Allows the State Fire Council to amend the State Fire Code to require certain owners and occupants of properties and holders of easements located in hazardous fire areas to maintain effective firebreaks and to practice other fire prevention activities. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and implement the Community Fuels Reduction Project. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 8, 2025

HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.

Beginning 7/1/2026, authorizes the State Historic Preservation Division to contract its review of proposed state projects and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants under certain circumstances. Establishes requirements for qualified third-party consultants providing review services. Requires the project proponent to pay the reasonable fee requirements of the third-party consultant. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to publish a draft of its proposed rules and later present its proposed final rules to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 7, 2025

HB 320: RELATING TO SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING AGREEMENTS.

Allows qualified adults, including adults with a disability, mentally ill adults, and adults sixty-five years of age or older, to enter into supported decision-making agreements with one or more members of a supportive community. Specifies the terms of a supported decision-making agreement, including access to personal information, agreement requirements, and circumstances for termination. (CD1)

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 7, 2025

HB 613: RELATING TO HOMELESS YOUTH.

Makes the Safe Spaces for Youth Pilot Program permanent within the Office of Youth Services. Requires the program to collaborate with certain state and county departments. Authorizes the Office of Youth Services to contract with nonprofit organizations to provide shelters for homeless youth or young adults. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Housing

Bill results