Relating To School Facilities.
In plain English Creates a temporary commission to develop recommendations for school consolidations, realignments, and closures, with expedited approval and funding.
Official synopsis: Establishes a temporary, independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission to develop and recommend a comprehensive package of school consolidations, realignments, and closures based on the federal Base Realignment and Closure model. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires an expedited approval process for the recommended…
Became lawAct 264, on 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1367). · 2026-07-15
Relating To Transportation.
Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of…
Became lawAct 259, on 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1362). · 2026-07-15
Relating To The Safety Of Educational Workers.
In plain English Requires schools to address harassment of educational workers and sports officials, and makes harassment of them during their duties a misdemeanor.
Official synopsis: Part I: Requires the Department of Education and state public charter schools to take certain steps to better address the harassment of educational workers, including sports officials. Authorizes the Attorney General to assist educational workers, including sports officials at department of education or public charter…
Became lawAct 234, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1336). · 2026-07-14
Relating To Health.
In plain English Establishes a one-year pilot program in the Department of Health to provide in-home health care and support services to eligible participants who don't qualify for existing government assistance.
Official synopsis: Establishes within the Department of Health a one-year KupunAloha Pilot Program to provide in-home health care and support services to eligible participants who do not otherwise qualify for government assistance for these services. Appropriates funds for the pilot program. Pilot program sunsets 6/30/2027. (CD1)
Became lawAct 246, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1348). · 2026-07-14
Relating To Colorectal Cancer.
In plain English Requires the state to fund colorectal cancer screenings and treatment for certain people, including follow-up colonoscopies, with no out-of-pocket costs.
Official synopsis: Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a state-funded financial assistance program to offer state-funded colorectal screenings and treatment for certain persons. Requires state-funded coverage for follow-up treatment for colorectal cancer for certain persons. Requires coverage to include a follow-up colonoscopy after…
Became lawAct 219, on 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1321). · 2026-07-10
Relating To Rainwater Catchment Systems.
In plain English Requires counties to allow rainwater catchment systems on all properties for drinking and other uses, and allows counties to require registration, inspection, or notification of these systems.
Official synopsis: Requires the counties to allow for the installation and operation of rainwater catchment systems for potable and nonpotable uses on all properties. Allows the counties to require registration, inspection, or notification of rainwater catchment systems. (CD1)
Became lawAct 209, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1311). · 2026-07-09
Relating To Health.
In plain English Requires electronic smoking device and e-liquid makers to certify annual FDA approval and compliance, and establishes penalties for selling uncertified products.
Official synopsis: Requires electronic smoking device and e-liquid manufacturers to certify to the Department of the Attorney General annually that the manufacturer received a Marketing Granted Order from the federal Food and Drug Administration and that the manufacturer is in compliance with federal regulations and state laws.…
Became lawAct 190, on 07/07/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1292). · 2026-07-07
Relating To International Relations.
In plain English Allows Hawaii to enter nonbinding international agreements with foreign governments and expands sister-state partnerships to include prefectures and foreign nations.
Official synopsis: Authorizes the State to enter into nonbinding international cooperative agreements with national governments; national ministries, departments, or agencies; provincial or regional governments; or international intergovernmental bodies relevant to the interests of the State or an international partner. Expands the definition of sister-state or province partnerships…
Became lawAct 181, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1283). · 2026-06-26
Relating To The University Of Hawaii.
In plain English Requires the University of Hawaii System to create and maintain a public online dashboard with student information and report on it annually until 2031.
Official synopsis: Requires the University of Hawaii System to develop, implement, and maintain a publicly accessible, systemwide online dashboard. Requires the dashboard to include and maintain relevant information needed for students and their families for academic decision-making. Requires a preliminary report on 12/1/2026. Requires annual reports to…
Became lawAct 120, on 06/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1220). · 2026-06-09
Relating To Invasive Species.
In plain English Allows the use of certain monofilament netting to protect plants from invasive species and requires the Department of Agriculture to establish rules for selling fine mesh nets.
Official synopsis: Allows the use of certain monofilament netting for the protection of plants against invasive species. Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to establish rules allowing the sale and distribution of fine mesh nets, including monofilament netting, in the State to protect plants from the…
Became lawAct 103, on 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1203). · 2026-06-05
Relating To Condominiums.
In plain English Allows small condominium associations in buildings of no more than two stories to skip independent reserve study reviews if unit owners approve, but not for three consecutive years.
Official synopsis: Allows small condominium associations with a building or buildings of no more than two stories to waive the requirement for the reserve study to be reviewed by an independent reserve study preparer if a majority of unit owners at a meeting approve the waiver and…
Became lawAct 100, on 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1200). · 2026-06-05
Relating To Arts Education.
In plain English Appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Artists in the Schools Program.
Official synopsis: Appropriates funds to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Artists in the Schools Program. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)
Passed one chamberPending introduction. · 2026-05-27
Relating To A Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Pathway Program.
In plain English Directs the University of Hawaii Community College System to study and develop a plan for a statewide Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Pathway Program for ages 16 to 24.
Official synopsis: Directs the University of Hawaii Community College System, in partnership with state agencies and maritime employers, to conduct a study and develop a plan for a statewide Maritime Youth Apprenticeship Pathway Program for individuals ages 16 to 24. Requires a report to the Legislature with…
Passed one chamberPending introduction. · 2026-05-27
Relating To Arts Integration In Public Schools.
Establishes within the Department of Education arts integration coordinator or specialist positions to support fine arts education and arts integration in public schools statewide. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Out of committeePending introduction. · 2026-05-27
Relating To Traffic Safety.
Appropriates funds to the Department of Transportation to install pedestrian safety improvements at sites abutting school properties, with consideration for other sites. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Out of committeePending introduction. · 2026-05-27
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.