Bills Introduced 2026
The repealed section currently mandates that all cesspools in the state (except those granted exemptions) must be upgraded or converted to an approved wastewater system or connected to a sewerage system before January 1, 2050. By removing this requirement, the bill eliminates the statewide deadline and associated obligations for property owners, while preserving the definition of a cesspool. The act would take effect immediately upon approval.
HB2352 - Cesspool Repeal
Amends Section 350-2.5 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to enhance expungement processes from the state's central registry of child abuse and neglect cases. It maintains the department's authority to include confirmed perpetrators in the registry but expands prompt expungement criteria when reports are not confirmed. It introduces a new pathway for survivors of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, or coercive abuse to request expungement after three years, provided they meet conditions like documented victim status, the incident involved neglect due to victimization (not intentional abuse), no subsequent reports, and evidence of personal growth. General expungement requests after five years remain available for non-aggravated cases without subsequent reports, with reviews based on criteria like time elapsed, severity, and rehabilitation. Denied requests can be resubmitted after five years, and the department can expunge names discretionarily. Expunged records are retained for future risk assessments. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB2353 - CPS Expungement for Survivors
Addresses unauthorized camping on public lands by enforcing existing prohibitions, enhancing penalties for criminal trespass in public parks and recreational areas, and requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to identify, restore, and report on vacated homeless encampments annually starting in 2027. It amends penalties for trespass to include escalating fines ($100 for first offense, $200 for second, $400 or 30 days imprisonment for third or subsequent), allows seizure of abandoned property, and mandates the Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a homeless outreach program offering transportation to shelters and referrals for medical, mental health, and substance abuse services, in collaboration with nonprofits. It ensures actions comply with constitutional rights and the U.S. Supreme Court's Grants Pass v. Johnson decision, appropriates unspecified funds to DHS and DLNR for fiscal year 2026-2027, and takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB2354 - llegal Camping [Homelessness]
This bill amends Section 712A-5 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to allow forfeiture of real property used in the commission of promoting gambling in the first or second degree, even without the owner's knowledge or consent, while maintaining general protections for other offenses. It also updates Section 712-1230 to explicitly include real property as forfeitable when used as a location for illegal gambling activities, subject to Chapter 712A procedures. The act does not affect matured rights, incurred penalties, or prior proceedings and takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB2355 - Gambling Property Forfeiture
This bill amends Section 353H-6 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) to issue certificates of suitability for employment to qualified ex-offenders, providing evidence of sentence fulfillment, reentry program completion, rehabilitation success, low risk of recurrence, and employment readiness. It mandates DCR to collaborate with state, federal, and private stakeholders to educate on the certificates, work with the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance security clearance eligibility for relevant jobs, and adopt rules for certificate issuance and interpretation. The bill appropriates unspecified general revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027 to implement the program and takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB2356 - Second Chance Clearance
HB2479 - Coastline Infrastructure Capacity
This bill establishes a temporary working group within the Public Utilities Commission to study utility infrastructure in counties with populations over 500,000 (primarily Honolulu), addressing Hawaii's poor infrastructure grade (D+ in 2025 ASCE report) and needs in growing areas like Waiʻanae. The group, comprising representatives from PUC, Charter Communications, Honolulu City Council District 1, telecom and electric utilities, Board of Water Supply, IBEW Local 1260, and Department of Environmental Services, will assess current capacity versus demand, lifespan of coastline infrastructure, expansion costs, upgrade plans, budgets, and permit impacts. It requires counties to consider the group's findings before issuing new permits and mandates a report to the legislature by the 2027 session. The act takes effect upon approval.
This bill adds a new chapter to the Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishing the "Emergency Responder Predictive Evacuation and Known Danger Immunity Act" to protect first responders from liability during disasters. It allows for predictive evacuation orders based on threat modeling and grants immunity to responders and agencies for issuing such orders or declining rescues of individuals who willfully ignore them during active hazard periods. Non-compliant individuals assume the risk and waive liability claims, while responders are not required to enter danger zones, prioritizing stabilization and recovery afterward. Exceptions apply if someone lacked sufficient notice or ability to evacuate. The act takes effect upon approval.
HB2480 - Itʻs On You
This bill amends Chapter 346, Part XVIII, of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to establish a voluntary Return-to-Home Program coordinated by the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions (OHHS), aimed at reuniting eligible homeless individuals with family in their home states through transportation assistance. It allows OHHS to contract with nonprofits, for-profits, or foundations without standard procurement rules, with support from the governor's homelessness coordinator. Eligibility requires voluntary participation, court clearance if applicable, and indigency; participants can join only once and must sign an agreement. The program seeks partnerships with airlines, cruise lines, and others, provides travel preparations like ID, hygiene, and airport transport, requires annual legislative reports, and appropriates unspecified general funds for fiscal year 2026-2027. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB2481 - Return to Sender
This bill establishes a Facilities Relocation Task Force to address the inequitable concentration of mental health facilities, clean and sober homes, homeless shelters, and supportive living homes on Oahu, especially along the Waianae coast. Comprising 15 members from state departments (Human Services, Health, Corrections and Rehabilitation), City and County of Honolulu officials (Mayor, Council Chair, Police Chief, Planning Director, Prosecuting Attorney), neighborhood boards (Waianae Coast, Nanakuli-Maili), the Neighborhood Commission Office, Partners in Care Oahu, and legislative committee chairs on human services, the task force will investigate locations, methods for equitable placement, stakeholder issues like proximity to children/elderly, transparency, liability, oversight, community engagement, and density relative to population. It must propose legislation, assess fiscal impacts, submit a preliminary report before the 2027 legislative session, and a final report with recommendations before 2028. The task force, convened by legislative chairs and supported by the Department of Human Services, dissolves after its purpose or before 2028, with members unpaid but reimbursed. It appropriates unspecified general funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 and takes effect upon approval.
HB2482 - Mental Health Facility Relocation
This bill authorizes the issuance of $6,500,000 in general obligation bonds and appropriates the same amount for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund capital improvements in the 45th Representative District. The funds are designated for plans, design, construction, and equipment to upgrade Waianae Boat Harbor on Oahu, including 109 berths, seven ramps, a fish hoist, a harbor master's facility building, and public restroom. The appropriation is to be expended by the Department of Land and Natural Resources and shall not lapse until June 30, 2029. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB2483 - CIP - Funding for Waianae Boat Harbour