Hawaii Bills

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 1532: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Excludes from the offense of unlawful shipment of tobacco products the direct sale of large cigars and pipe tobacco to adult consumers for personal use. Effective 1/1/2027.

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 1689: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Part I: Extends the Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target to 2075 and establishes an interim target of seventy per cent for 2050. Part II: Maintains the existing Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target but exempts the Department of Transportation and transportation systems and services from the target.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2181: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

SB 2181 would require public schools in the state to increase the minimum number of instructional hours for students starting with the 2027-2028 school year. This change directly affects all public K-12 schools, as it mandates longer school days or additional instructional days to meet the new standard. The bill specifies the exact hour requirement but does not detail how schools must implement the increase. The measure is currently pending committee review after being introduced in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2282: RELATING TO INSURER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

Establishes the Prior Authorization Committee to specify medical conditions for which prior authorization by the insurer for treatment is not required for health insurance coverage. Requires health plan insurers to align their prior authorization processes for other conditions with Medicare policies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2276: RELATING TO SURGICAL ASSISTANTS.

Requires the Hawaii Medical Board to require each person practicing medicine or podiatric medicine as a surgical assistant in the State to be licensed as a surgical assistant. Establishes exceptions. Requires the Hawaii Medical Board by rule to establish the application procedure, medical educational and training standards, examination requirements, if any, for surgical assistant licensure and degrees of supervision for surgical assistants. Establishes the Surgical Assistant Advisory Committee. Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by surgical assistants.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2450: RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

SB 2450 would establish a state-level presidential preference primary election for the 2028 election cycle, beginning January 1, 2027. This bill directly affects voters in this state who would participate in selecting presidential candidates before the national convention. It includes funding appropriations to support the new primary election process. The bill is currently pending, having been deferred by the committee on February 6, 2026.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2493: RELATING TO DIGITAL ASSETS.

Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Financial Institutions and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to conduct a two-year study to gather data on how to establish a state-level regulatory framework for stablecoin digital assets. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2425: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Exempts any agricultural enterprise practicing diversified agriculture on lands formerly used for commercial sugarcane production within the conservation district from any permitting and site plan approval requirements established for lands in a conservation district. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2441: RELATING TO CAMPUS SAFETY.

Requires students of the University of Hawaii, including transfer students, to complete training on federal laws and University policies regarding sexual misconduct prior to the completion of initial registration into the university of Hawaii system. Amends the frequency that training and programming regarding sexual misconduct is provided to university of Hawaii students and employees.

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2439: RELATING TO SEARCH AND RESCUE.

Establishes the Office of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator within the Office of the Governor. Provides for the authority and duties of the State Search and Rescue Coordinator. Designates participating agencies and their duties with regard to state search and rescue operations and training. Establishes the Search and Rescue Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2529: RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Amends section 11-364, HRS, to provide that an excess contribution of more than $100 in cash, in the aggregate, from a single person during an election period to a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund if not returned to the contributor within 30 days.

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 2532: RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN FLAG.

Requires cooperative housing corporations, planned community associations, and condominium associations to allow owners to display the Hawaiian flag within the owner's property. Allows reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on Hawaiian flag displays to protect a substantial interest of the association or corporation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill results