This bill directs the Governor to inform the Hawaii Legislature that it signed a law allocating state funds for various programs and disaster recovery efforts. The legislation appropriates money to support the operations of the agribusiness development corporation, the Hawaii technology development corporation, and the Hawaii community development authority. Additionally, it establishes funding for mass transit projects and creates a major disaster fund to address emergency response and recovery costs. A key provision allows the Governor to transfer up to $100 million from the disaster fund to other agencies if an imminent threat to public safety arises, provided the Governor notifies the legislature with a detailed justification.
This document is a formal notification from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature stating that Act 157, which relates to digital identification, was signed into law on June 25, 2026. The underlying bill amends state statutes to allow drivers and vehicle owners to present a mobile driver's license or an electronic insurance card on a smartphone instead of a physical card when stopped by law enforcement. Under the new provisions, officers must have the technical ability to verify the digital credentials before accepting them, and they are restricted from viewing other content on the device during the inspection. The act also clarifies that individuals presenting these digital documents assume full liability for any damage to their mobile electronic devices.
This bill requires Hawaii counties to publish building and civil engineering permit data on their websites in a standardized, machine-readable format to improve transparency and help address the state's housing shortage. Counties must update this data at least once a month and include specific details such as permit numbers, application and completion dates, property addresses, and whether the project is residential or non-residential. The law also mandates the creation of a statewide data standard in collaboration with state agencies to ensure that information from different counties can be easily compared and analyzed. By making this data accessible and consistent, the bill aims to reduce administrative burdens and support better tracking of permitting performance across the state.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on May 27, 2026, amends Hawaii's Uniform Probate Code to enhance privacy protections for individuals involved in guardianship and conservatorship cases. It establishes a new system where specific documents, such as birth certificates and tax returns, are automatically sealed upon filing, while highly sensitive materials like medical records and professional evaluations are temporarily sealed pending a court hearing. These provisions ensure that personal health information and evaluations regarding a person's capacity are not immediately accessible to the public unless a judge determines there is a compelling reason to allow access. The changes primarily affect courts, attorneys, and the individuals whose personal records are subject to these new confidentiality rules.
This bill exempts operators of wing-in-ground craft, also known as seagliders, from Hawaii's Water Carrier Act regulations. These vessels use a unique technology that allows them to fly just above the water surface, offering a zero-emission option for interisland travel. By removing them from the Public Utilities Commission's oversight, the legislation aims to lower costs and encourage the adoption of this efficient transportation method to support the state's decarbonization goals and improve connectivity between islands.
This bill is a commendation resolution that recognizes Waialua Robotics Team 359 - Hawaiian Kids for their achievements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It highlights the team's success in competitive robotics events, including winning the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Hawaii Regional and receiving multiple awards. The resolution formally congratulates the students and their supporters for their dedication to STEM education and community outreach efforts.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General to form a working group focused on technology-facilitated abuse affecting youth and vulnerable populations in the state. The group will include representatives from state agencies, domestic violence organizations, and youth commissions to examine issues like digital stalking, spyware use, and nonconsensual image distribution. The working group will assess current laws, evaluate platform safety practices, and develop recommendations for regulatory safeguards and policy changes to protect residents from online abuse. The group is required to submit a report with findings and proposed legislative actions to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and the Department of the Attorney General to form a working group focused on image-based sexual abuse. The group will review laws and policies from other states to identify ways to better protect survivors of nonconsensual sharing of explicit images and videos, including those involving artificial intelligence. The working group must include input from gender-based violence service providers and survivors, and it will submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not change any laws directly but instead asks state agencies to study the issue and propose future legislation.
This bill requests the creation of a Space Economy Working Group to study how Hawaii can develop and participate in the growing space industry. The group would include representatives from state agencies, universities, private companies, and community organizations to examine Hawaii's current capabilities and identify opportunities for economic growth and job creation. Members would analyze areas such as workforce training, infrastructure needs, regulatory policies, and environmental considerations to develop a strategic framework for responsible space sector development. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, potentially including proposed legislation to advance Hawaii's space economy.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws apply to decisions made by artificial intelligence and automated systems. The bill directs the commission to examine how these technologies are used in areas like hiring, housing, and credit, and to identify any legal gaps or challenges in addressing potential discrimination. The commission must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, which could lead to new rules or laws if needed. This measure does not change existing laws immediately but initiates an official review of how civil rights protections work in the age of automated decision-making.
