Hawaii Bills

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SCR 17: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MANDATE THE TEACHING OF PRE-1959 HAWAIIAN HISTORY FROM AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN SCHOOL YEAR 2027-2028, ACROSS ALL GRADE LEVELS WHERE SOCIAL STUDIES IS TAUGHT.

SCR 17 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Education to mandate teaching pre-1959 Hawaiian history from an Indigenous perspective across all public school social studies classes starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It directly affects Hawaii public schools and students, requiring curriculum changes to include key historical events like the Hawaiian Kingdom's governance, the 1893 overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani, and pre-annexation history. The resolution specifies that the Department of Education must collaborate with Native Hawaiian educators and cultural practitioners to develop curriculum standards, approved materials, and teacher training. This is a procedural resolution (not a law) that formally requests the Department of Education take these steps to align with Hawaii's constitutional obligation to promote Hawaiian culture and history.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SCR 16: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE MONEYS APPROPRIATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS PURSUANT TO ACT 279, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 2022.

SCR 16 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the State Auditor conduct an audit of funds allocated to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) under Act 279 (2022). It specifically seeks to review how DHHL used $600 million in appropriations meant to eliminate its waitlist of over 28,700 native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution cites DHHL's overdue submission of required annual reports detailing fund expenditures and progress on assisting waitlist applicants, as mandated by Act 279. The audit will focus on accountability for funds intended to provide land, housing, or financial assistance to native Hawaiians.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SR 15: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MANDATE THE TEACHING OF PRE-1959 HAWAIIAN HISTORY FROM AN INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVE, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN SCHOOL YEAR 2027-2028, ACROSS ALL GRADE LEVELS WHERE SOCIAL STUDIES IS TAUGHT.

This Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Education to mandate teaching pre-1959 Hawaiian history from an Indigenous perspective in all public school social studies classes, beginning no later than the 2027-2028 school year. It specifically calls for curriculum changes to address gaps in current teaching, which overemphasize post-1959 events and omit Indigenous perspectives on Hawaiian governance, land systems, and pivotal historical moments like the 1893 overthrow. The resolution requires collaboration with Native Hawaiian educators and cultural practitioners to develop the curriculum, materials, and teacher training. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but formally requests this educational reform.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SCR 14: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS' COMMERCIAL LEASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, REVENUE OPTIMIZATION, AND RENT COLLECTION PROCEDURES.

SCR 14 is a concurrent resolution requesting the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' (DHHL) commercial lease management. The audit will specifically examine DHHL's practices for managing commercial leases, strategies to optimize revenue, and procedures for collecting rent. This focuses on DHHL's portfolio of over 1,600 income-generating properties that generate approximately $21 million annually in lease revenue, which supports DHHL's mission to serve Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution does not change laws but seeks to assess current operations for potential revenue improvements.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SR 12: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS' COMMERCIAL LEASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, REVENUE OPTIMIZATION, AND RENT COLLECTION PROCEDURES.

This Senate Resolution (SR 12) requests the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' (DHHL) commercial lease management. It specifically examines DHHL's practices for managing over 1,600 commercial leases generating approximately $11 million annually, focusing on revenue optimization and rent collection. The audit will assess whether DHHL is effectively maximizing revenue from these leases to support its mission of serving over 29,000 native Hawaiian beneficiaries and fulfilling its fiduciary duty. This procedural resolution does not change laws but seeks accountability in how DHHL manages trust land revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SCR 15: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS’ PAPER LEASE SYSTEM.

SCR 15 is a resolution requesting the Office of the Auditor to audit DHHL's "paper lease" system, which allows Native Hawaiian beneficiaries to hold lease rights to larger land parcels before individual lots are developed. The audit will examine how long beneficiaries wait in undivided lease status, record-keeping accuracy, beneficiary understanding of rights, and whether the system meets legal and trust responsibilities. It specifically aims to assess if the system effectively transitions beneficiaries to individual lot leases and operates transparently. The resolution does not change laws but seeks accountability through an independent review.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SR 14: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE MONEYS APPROPRIATED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS PURSUANT TO ACT 279, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 2022.

This Senate Resolution (SR 14) requests the State Auditor to audit funds allocated to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) under Act 279 (2022), which provided $600 million to eliminate the DHHL waitlist for native Hawaiian beneficiaries. The resolution cites DHHL's failure to publicly release its required 2025 Annual Activity Report by January 21, 2026, as mandated by Act 279. The audit would examine how DHHL used the $600 million appropriation for land development, housing, and beneficiary assistance. It directly affects DHHL's accountability for managing these funds, which were intended to assist over 28,700 waitlisted native Hawaiians. The resolution does not change policy but seeks transparency around fund usage.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SR 13: REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS’ PAPER LEASE SYSTEM.

SR 13 is a Senate Resolution requesting the Office of the Auditor to audit the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' (DHHL) "paper lease" system, which affects native Hawaiian beneficiaries holding undivided leases. The audit will evaluate how effectively the system transitions beneficiaries to specific lots, tracks lease durations, maintains records, clarifies beneficiary rights, and complies with trust obligations under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. This procedural resolution does not change laws but seeks transparency in DHHL's administration of over 200,000 acres held in trust.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2390: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for biomarker testing.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2443: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Amends the definition of "historic property" to require that the property meets the criteria for inclusion in the Hawaii Register of Historic Places or has important value to Native Hawaiians or other ethnic groups of the State due to associations with cultural practices once carried out, or still carried out, at the property or associations with traditional beliefs, events, or oral accounts that are important to history, traditional practices, and cultural identity.

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 1995: RELATING TO PARKING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

HB 1995 expands eligibility for disabled parking permits to include individuals who are blind or deaf, who were previously excluded under existing rules. The bill directly affects people with these specific disabilities by allowing them to apply for and receive the same parking permits as those with other mobility-related disabilities. Key provisions require state agencies to process applications for these permits without additional medical certification beyond what is required for other disability categories. This change modifies the current eligibility criteria to ensure consistent access to parking accommodations for all qualifying individuals. The bill is currently in committee referral after its initial introduction.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 2461: RELATING TO THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Increases the ceiling of the works of art special fund. Appropriates funds for the maintenance, upkeep, and preservation of the State's public art and collections. Appropriates funds for a collections manager position within the state foundation on culture and the arts.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill results