HB235 proposed expanding photo red light imaging and automated speed enforcement systems along Oahu's North Shore (specifically Kamehameha Highway) to improve traffic and pedestrian safety, requiring the Department of Transportation to implement these systems after Honolulu completes public education about them. The bill also directed the safe routes to school advisory committee to prioritize infrastructure projects at schools adjacent to Kamehameha Highway. Governor Green vetoed the bill, stating it bypassed the Department of Transportation's established statewide criteria for location selection - based on crash data, traffic volume, and citations - which ensures consistent, need-based implementation. The veto argued the bill threatened the integrity of existing traffic safety programs by ignoring these standardized selection methods.
SB 1102 would establish the appointment process and term limits for the Fire Chief of Hawaii's State Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Unit (part of the Department of Transportation Airports Division). The bill requires the director of transportation to appoint the Fire Chief from three candidates submitted by the state fire council, subject to the Senate's approval, and limits the position to two consecutive four-year terms. This bill directly affects the leadership structure of the airport safety unit responsible for emergency response at Hawaii's airports. It aims to standardize the selection process for this critical role while ensuring regular leadership transitions.
House Bill 796 would have required most Hawaii income tax credits existing on December 31, 2025, or established after that date, to either expire after five years or undergo a gradual reduction in value (one-third per year for three years starting in the sixth year). This provision would not apply to certain credits, such as those for renewable energy under specific sections of law. The bill passed the legislature but was vetoed by Governor Josh Green on July 3, 2025, who argued it would harm economic development in key industries.
This bill (SB 15, Act 293) updates Hawaii's historic preservation laws by establishing a 50-year age requirement for properties to qualify for historic protection. It specifically affects homeowners and developers of single-family homes and townhouses built before 1975 (over 50 years old) that are listed on, nominated for, or located in a designated historic district. The law clarifies that projects on such properties must follow historic preservation review rules, while exempting newer homes and projects in areas with low historic resource density ("nominally sensitive areas"). This creates a clear threshold for when historic preservation regulations apply to residential properties.
This bill (SB1221, Act 281) requires Hawaii counties to adopt safety regulations for retention and detention ponds by January 2027. It mandates specific safety features for all such ponds, including 4-foot fencing, "No Swimming" signage, life buoys at entry points, and regular maintenance plans. The law excludes ponds on golf courses, hotels, and resorts, but requires those properties to prove adequate security measures to counties. Counties must also survey all existing ponds statewide and report findings to the legislature.
This bill (GM 1392) is a formal notification that Governor Green signed HB800 into law on July 3, 2025. HB800 transfers ownership of seven specific state-owned properties in Honolulu (including senior residences, parks, and a fire station) to the City and County of Honolulu via quitclaim deeds. It also requires the City to transfer the Alii Tower parcel back to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, with both transfers effective December 31, 2025 (or later if needed for the Alii Tower agreement). The bill specifies that these transfers occur "as is" with existing conditions, release all related claims, and exempt the transactions from certain transfer taxes.
This bill (HB700, codified as ACT 286) requires healthcare providers to offer cognitive assessments to Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older as part of their existing Medicare Part B coverage. It directly affects seniors in Hawaii who are Medicare beneficiaries, aiming to improve early detection of Alzheimer's and related dementias by expanding the utilization of a currently underused benefit. The key mechanism mandates that providers proactively discuss and offer these assessments during routine care, leveraging existing Medicare coverage rather than creating new requirements. The bill is grounded in data showing that over two-thirds of Hawaii residents with memory concerns haven’t discussed cognitive health with providers, and that free assessments would be widely accepted (80% of respondents in a 2024 RAND study). Its purpose is to align with Hawaii’s strategic plan for dementia care by increasing early identification and reducing long-term healthcare costs.
This bill establishes the "medi-medi project" within Hawaii's Executive Office on Aging to help underserved populations - including older adults, Medicare beneficiaries, individuals with disabilities, and those in rural or low-income communities - access low-income health coverage programs like Medicaid and Medicare Part D Extra Help. It streamlines application processes, provides community outreach, and offers one-on-one assistance for eligibility renewals, addressing barriers such as language differences or lack of awareness. The bill appropriates $121,016 for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to fund a full-time staff position and outreach activities, including a one-year pilot in Kalihi Valley for disadvantaged communities. The project aims to connect eligible residents with benefits they may otherwise miss due to complex enrollment systems.
This bill (SB66, Act 295) establishes an expedited permit process for single-family and multi-family housing projects in Hawaii counties, directly affecting developers and builders facing lengthy permit delays. It requires counties to approve applications within 60 business days of being deemed complete, or allow developers to request expedited review by submitting complete plans, infrastructure capacity evidence, and insurance documentation naming the State and counties as additional insurers. The policy aims to address Hawaii’s housing shortage - projected to require 46,573 new homes by 2030 - by reducing permit processing times that currently average 1-1.5 years. The expedited process is valid until June 30, 2031, without altering counties’ core responsibilities for code compliance and infrastructure oversight.
This bill (SB935, Act 290) amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 88-47 to revise the definition of retirement classes for state and county government employees. It specifically redefines "Class A" members to include judges, elected officials, legislative officers, certain county department heads (like mayors' administrative assistants), court executives, and county clerks. The change affects current and returning employees in these specific roles by updating their retirement classification under the state system. The law was enacted by Governor Green on July 3, 2025, and directly impacts how these government employees' retirement benefits are categorized.
This bill (HB126, Act 288) reforms Hawaii's property forfeiture process by requiring state agencies to maintain detailed public records of seized property, including descriptions, dates, values, and possession details. It mandates that these records be made publicly accessible online and restricts agencies from transferring forfeited property to federal agencies without specific exceptions (like currency over $100,000). The law clarifies which property is subject to forfeiture (e.g., items used in crimes, proceeds from offenses) and removes a requirement that forfeiture laws be interpreted "liberally." These changes aim to increase transparency and accountability for agencies handling property forfeitures.
Act 292 restricts the use of restrictive housing in Hawaii's state-operated and contracted correctional facilities, effective July 1, 2026, with limited exceptions. It requires that incarcerated individuals only be placed in restrictive housing if there is reasonable cause to believe they pose an immediate serious risk of harm to themselves or others, and less restrictive alternatives are insufficient. The bill also establishes a legislative working group by August 2025 to develop policies for vulnerable populations by January 2027 and mandates annual reviews of restrictive housing placements by the Hawaii correctional system oversight commission.
