SB1382, now law as ACT 008, amends Hawaii's second-degree assault statute to specifically protect certain public service workers. The bill expands the definition of second-degree assault to include intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to educational workers (like teachers and school staff), emergency medical personnel, mental health facility staff, firefighters, and health care providers while they are on duty. This change directly affects individuals who assault these workers by elevating such acts to second-degree assault, rather than lesser offenses. The law clarifies legal protections for these essential workers without altering existing penalties for assault.
This bill (SB112 SD2, now law as ACT 017) requires Hawaii police departments to provide surviving immediate family members with a copy of a "closing report" after certain timeframes. It directly affects parents, spouses, children, or legal guardians of deceased individuals for whom law enforcement initiated an investigation. The law mandates that reports must be provided within five years of report completion, seven years after the incident, or after criminal proceedings end - whichever occurs first - unless an investigation is reopened within six months of the request. Sensitive information about minors or confidential details will be redacted before release. The bill does not limit existing rights to access other police records.
This bill amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 134-7 to change sentencing for certain firearm violations. It specifies that violating firearm laws (subsections (a) or (b)) is now a class C felony, but if the violator is a prior felon with a crime of violence conviction, it becomes a class B felony with mandatory indeterminate sentencing. The law directly affects individuals convicted of specific firearm offenses, particularly repeat offenders with violent histories. The key change is the elevated felony classification for prior violent felons, increasing penalties for those violations.
This bill (SB1291 SD1) changes Hawaii's requirements for becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). It allows applicants to substitute 30 additional semester hours of accounting education with 30 months of professional work experience in public accounting practice. This alternative pathway aims to reduce barriers for students and professionals seeking CPA licensure, particularly addressing declining interest in pursuing the license due to education costs and time commitments. The change directly affects accounting students and professionals in Hawaii who are working toward CPA certification.
This bill (HB132 HD1) expands Hawaii's automatic expungement program for certain marijuana-related records. It adds possession of Schedule V substances (like some medications) to the offenses eligible for automatic expungement under the existing pilot program. The law requires the Department of Attorney General to automatically expunge arrest records for single charges under Section 712-1249 (marijuana possession) that occurred before January 11, 2020, in counties with populations between 200,000-500,000 - without requiring applicants to file paperwork or pay fees. The state-initiated pilot runs until October 1, 2025, using existing resources of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.
This bill is a procedural notice from Governor Josh Green withdrawing Lianne Philhower's nomination to the Hawaii Board of Psychology (originally submitted as GM 756). It directly affects the Senate's consideration of her appointment, ending the nomination process per her request. The notice formally informs the Senate that the Governor has withdrawn the nominee, with no policy changes or mechanisms involved. This is a routine administrative update, not a substantive legislative action.
This bill (GM 10) appropriates specific funds to implement a collective bargaining agreement for University of Hawai'i Faculty (Unit 7). It allocates $57.8 million for fiscal years 2025-2027 to cover salaries, fringe benefits, and Employer-Union Trust Fund contributions for faculty in Unit 7, as agreed upon in a tentative contract. The bill also includes separate funding for health premiums and cost adjustments for non-bargaining state employees in the same compensation plans. These funds must be distributed by the director of finance to appropriate state departments for implementation. The bill directly affects University of Hawai'i faculty covered by the Unit 7 collective bargaining agreement.
This is a procedural notice, not a substantive bill. Governor Josh Green formally informed the Senate on April 7, 2025, that he withdrew his nomination of Philip Bossert for the Hawai'i Teachers Standards Board (referenced as GM 536), citing Bossert's recent retirement as making him ineligible for the position. The notice serves only to update the Senate on the withdrawal of this specific appointment. It does not create new policy or affect any ongoing legislative process.
This is an executive communication (not a legislative bill), notifying the Senate that Governor Green withdrew four gubernatorial nominees for the Candidate Advisory Council for the University of Hawai'i Board of Regents. The nominees - Dale Nishikawa (GM551), Blair Odo (GM552), Amy Hennessey (GM553), and Lance Wilhelm (GM554) - were withdrawn because their appointments do not require Senate confirmation under Hawaii's Constitution. The action formally removes these candidates from consideration for the advisory council position.
Bill GM786 is a procedural communication from Governor Josh Green to the Senate, formally withdrawing his nominations of La'akea Poepoe and Keomaiiani Hirata for the Island Burial Council on Moloka'i (referenced as GM672 and GM673). The withdrawal, effective March 27, 2025, removes these individuals from consideration for council appointments. This action directly affects the selection process for the Moloka'i Island Burial Council, a body responsible for burial site oversight on the island. The communication does not alter any policy or create new requirements.
This is not a legislative bill but a Governor's message (GM 9) transmitting proposed budget adjustments to the Hawaii Legislature. It requests:
1) $20 million in general funds for the Department of Education (FY 2026) to cover a shortfall in school meal programs due to rising food costs, while keeping student meal prices stable.
2) $2.4 million (FY 2026) and $2.8 million (FY 2027) in special funds for the Department of Transportation to maintain/expand photo red light camera systems and fund staffing for county prosecutors/police.
3) $1.37 million (FY 2026-2027) to hire nine new staff for airport project management related to military airfield reconstruction.
These are budget proposals requiring legislative approval to adjust the 2025-2027 state budget.
This bill (GM 759) is a procedural correction letter from Governor Green, dated March 24, 2025, updating the board names for specific gubernatorial appointments. It corrects the board titles on appointments GM746 and GM747 (previously listed as incorrect for the State Board of Public Accountancy) and GM729, GM730, and GM731 (previously listed as incorrect for the State Board of Nursing). The correction ensures the official records accurately reflect the appointees' positions on the State Board of Public Accountancy and State Board of Nursing. This is purely an administrative update to existing appointment records, with no new policy or legislative action.
