This bill establishes an income tax credit for film and digital media productions operating in Hawaii to encourage local investment in the industry. The credit provides a percentage of qualified production costs, offering 22% for projects in counties with over 700,000 residents and 27% for those in smaller counties, with an additional 5% bonus for productions that hire at least 80% local workers. To claim the credit, producers must submit sworn statements and independent third-party certifications detailing their spending and hiring practices to state agencies. The total credit available per production is capped at $20 million, though this limit does not apply to projects with at least $60 million in qualified costs, while the overall annual credit pool is set at $60 million.
This bill requires all health insurance plans in Hawaii, including Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors for individuals diagnosed with diabetes starting after December 31, 2026. The law mandates that these devices be covered when prescribed by a healthcare professional and deemed medically necessary, regardless of whether the patient uses insulin. Coverage includes the cost of necessary repairs or replacement parts for the monitors, though standard copayments and deductibles may still apply. The legislation aims to improve diabetes management and reduce long-term healthcare costs by ensuring consistent access to this monitoring technology across the state.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on July 6, 2026, strengthens Hawaii's existing Food and Product Innovation Network to better support local agriculture and food security. It requires the network to integrate food safety regulations, establish specific performance metrics to track its success, and coordinate logistics with tourism and transportation agencies to help local products reach national and international markets. Additionally, the law mandates that the network align its branding efforts with state initiatives like "Hawaii Made" to reduce confusion and promote the state's products more effectively. These changes aim to improve the network's governance and ensure it meets the state's goals for economic diversification and agricultural value-added manufacturing.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on July 7, 2026, establishes new penalties for interfering with access to health care facilities in Hawaii. It prohibits individuals from physically blocking entry or exit, making repeated calls intended to disrupt operations, or threatening harm to patients, staff, and property owners. While the law imposes criminal fines and jail time for violations, it explicitly preserves the right to peaceful expressive conduct, such as labor demonstrations and strikes. The legislation defines affected parties broadly to include patients, healthcare workers, and facility owners, allowing them to seek civil remedies against those who obstruct access.
This bill establishes a new legal framework in Hawaii allowing individuals to sue for civil damages if their private intimate images are shared without consent. It defines intimate images as photos or videos showing a person in a state of undress or engaged in sexual conduct and protects these images even if they were taken in public places, provided the person did not agree to the exposure. The law creates specific exceptions where sharing is allowed, such as for law enforcement, medical treatment, reporting illegal activity, or matters of public interest. Additionally, parents and guardians are generally shielded from liability for sharing images of their children unless the sharing was explicitly prohibited by other laws.
This bill directs the Hawaii Department of Human Services to update how it certifies households for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. It requires that most households be certified for a minimum of twelve months, while those consisting entirely of adults aged sixty or older must be certified for at least twenty-four months. Additionally, the department must join a federal project to simplify applications for elderly and disabled individuals, which includes extending recertification periods to thirty-six months for these groups and waiving required interviews where federal law permits. The state agency is also tasked with seeking necessary federal approvals to implement these changes and submitting progress reports to the legislature by 2029 and 2030. These provisions are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2028.
This bill, signed into law as Act 196, establishes a new felony offense in Hawaii for the nonconsensual sharing of intimate or private images, directly affecting individuals who distribute such content and those who become victims of image-based sexual abuse. The law criminalizes intentionally disclosing or threatening to disclose photos or videos of someone in a state of nudity or engaging in sexual conduct, as well as images depicting self-harm, when done to coerce the victim into performing acts, providing more images, engaging in sexual activity, paying money, or influencing family court cases. It specifically classifies this behavior as a class B felony and includes aggravating circumstances where the offender is an adult targeting a minor or vulnerable adult, or when the disclosure causes bodily injury or death to the victim.
This bill establishes a certification system requiring manufacturers of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids to annually verify compliance with federal and state laws before selling products in Hawaii. Starting in October 2026, companies must submit detailed forms listing specific product brands, categories, and flavors, along with proof of FDA approval and a $1,000 fee per product. By January 207, the state will publish a public directory of approved products, and any electronic smoking devices or e-liquids not listed in this directory will be prohibited from sale, possession, or distribution within the state.
This bill officially designates Hawaii as an ocean cluster to promote its growing blue economy, which includes industries like marine construction, tourism, and fisheries. It creates a new Office of Marine Affairs within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation and establishes a Marine Affairs Coordinator to lead these efforts. The legislation also transfers existing marine affairs functions from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to this new office, repealing the former department's authority over these matters. By centralizing these responsibilities, the bill aims to leverage Hawaii's unique position as an island state to foster innovation and economic growth in ocean-related sectors.
This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 192 into law on July 7, 2026, which amends existing statutes related to domestic violence. The primary change requires the state judiciary to submit annual reports to the legislature by December 1 of 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030. These reports must detail case outcomes, defendant demographics, completion rates for intervention programs, and the time it takes to resolve cases. Additionally, the final report in 2030 will include an evaluation of a pilot project to determine if it improved case resolution speeds and reduced recidivism.
This bill establishes a two-year pilot program to help families in Hawaii build resilience and reduce the risk of child abuse or neglect. The Office of Wellness and Resilience will hire and train five peer support navigators to assist up to eighty families with accessing public benefits, parenting classes, and cultural support services. The program will also connect families to community resources and help them apply for assistance with housing, education, or employment based on their specific goals. At the end of the pilot, the office must submit a report to the legislature detailing how many families participated and the positive changes they experienced.
This bill directs the Office of Wellness and Resilience to create a plan for a pilot program called "Kakou" aimed at helping families and children in need. The plan must include specific services such as child wellness visits, food distribution, counseling for families leaving foster care, and trauma-informed care for those at risk of neglect. The Office is required to submit a preliminary report to the legislature by early 2027 and a final report by June 30, 2027, after which the planning phase ends. Starting in 2028, the Department of Human Services may use existing temporary assistance funds to run the pilot, which will also include hiring an external evaluator to assess its effectiveness. The legislation includes a provision stating that any part of the bill conflicting with federal requirements will not take effect, while the rest of the law remains in force.
