Hawaii Bills

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2570: RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2605: RELATING TO THE ARTS.

Establishes a position within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to support implementation and coordination of specialized arts programs and therapeutic arts interventions for underserved and neurodiverse populations. Appropriates funds for the position, programs, and interventions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 3337: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 3337 would remove the state tax on gasoline and diesel fuel used in motor vehicles. This change would directly affect drivers and businesses that purchase these fuels, as they would no longer pay the state tax on each gallon. The bill’s key provision is eliminating the existing state tax rate applied to these fuels at the point of sale. The bill is currently in committee review, with a public hearing scheduled for February 12, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1924: RELATING TO RECYCLING.

HB 1924 establishes a mattress stewardship program requiring manufacturers and retailers to manage the recycling of used mattresses. It creates a special fund financed by fees paid by businesses to cover collection and recycling costs. This bill directly affects mattress sellers and manufacturers, who would pay into the fund to support the program. The legislation aims to reduce mattress waste in landfills by mandating industry responsibility for end-of-life mattress disposal.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1770: RELATING TO SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a School Bus Driver Recruitment Grant Program. Establishes a School Bus Driver Recruitment Special Fund. Establishes a Repayment Signing Bonus Program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1598: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CLIMATE INSTITUTE.

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives of the University and the State. Requires a percentage of the revenue generated by any increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax rates beginning on January 1, 2026, and by assessment of the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares to be allocated to the University of Hawaii annually to support the programs and operations of the Hawaii Climate Institute. Transfers the International Pacific Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology to the Hawaii Climate Institute. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1928: RELATING TO DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER RECYCLING.

HB 1928 would replace the current deposit system for beverage containers with a new program requiring beverage producers to fund recycling. This shifts the financial responsibility from consumers (who currently pay a deposit) to the companies making the drinks. Under the new system, a Producer Responsibility Organization would manage the recycling program instead of the existing state-run deposit program. The bill is currently under committee review and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ Environment

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 3068: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Prohibits a procurement officer from disclosing a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score, except the summary of scores, during a debriefing requested by a non-selected offeror. Authorizes the disclosure of a competing offeror's proposal or evaluation score after a protest is resolved and the contract is executed.

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2064: RELATING TO STATE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

Establishes within the Department of Accounting and General Services the Office of the State Architect, directed by a State Architect appointed by the Governor. Requires the State Architect to organize, manage, and oversee the design review of all state construction projects and issue design approvals for traditional design-bid-build state construction projects. Requires an annual report to the Governor and Legislature. Authorizes the Department of Accounting and General Services to oversee design review services for state construction projects and issue certain design approvals through the State Architect. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/2050.

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1704: RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT.

Adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to regulate the practice of telepsychology and temporary in-person, face‑to‑face practice of psychology by psychologists across state boundaries in the performance of their psychological practice. Requires the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to adopt rules to implement and administer the compact. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2213: RELATING TO PEDESTRIANS.

Specifies that the driver of a vehicle must wait until a pedestrian has crossed half of the crosswalk plus an additional lane of the roadway before the driver can proceed.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2205: RELATING TO EMERGENCY EROSION MITIGATION.

Replaces the current statutory prohibition on private shoreline hardening with a policy directing the minimization of these structures. Establishes a clear, time-limited statutory framework for emergency permits within the conservation district, including defined standards for permit duration and extension.

Topics ✓ Environment

Bill results