#senate

A bill aimed at boosting local homeownership and affordable rentals through state-funded county acquisitions of voluntary deed restrictions has stalled in the Senate Housing Committee and will not advance this legislative session, which ends Friday. However, during its regular meeting Friday, the Maui County Council will consider its own legislation to use voluntary deed restrictions […]

House and Senate conference committees are recommending final passage of House Bill 1001, which provides more than $800 million in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 for deposit into the Maui wildfires settlement fund for a “timely and compassionate resolution” for fire survivors. The bill commits the state to spending $400 million in fiscal 2026 and […]

Two state House committees have decided to defer action on a Senate bill that would, among other things, require private and public property owners to trim grass within certain proximities of public rights of way and utility lines.

A bill that would change rules for assessing “historic” buildings in Hawaiʻi has crossed over from the Senate and is being considered by the state House of Representatives. Senate Bill 15 Senate Draft 1 would amend the definition of “historic property” by requiring that a property meets the criteria for inclusion in the Hawai‘i Register […]

The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives has approved all seven bills in the House Majority Package on third reading ahead of the first crossover deadline on Thursday. The bills move on to the Senate for further consideration. 

Two Senate committees voted Thursday to recommend passage of a bill to legalize adult personal use of cannabis Hawaiʻi and establish taxes on its retail sale and medical use.

A bill to exempt state-financed housing developments from county council approval has passed second reading on the Hawaiʻi Senate floor and advanced to the Ways and Means Committee.

The Hawaiʻi Senate Ways and Means Committee passed Senate Bill 222, which would fund an illegal fireworks task force. Although the amount of funding is not specified, the measure is now headed for third reading on the Senate floor before crossing over to the House of Representatives.

The Senate Committees on Labor & Technology and Public Safety & Military Affairs unanimously passed Senate Bill 1383 on Monday at the State Capitol. The bill would prevent wildfires by adopting an extensive revamping of Hawaiʻi’s fire prevention laws, as proposed by Gov. Josh Green’s administration.

Measure specifically targets four affordable housing projects that offered 358 units before the fire.

A revenue bond with repayment funded by a rental car surcharge is being proposed as a source of funding for building the northern portion of the Lahaina Bypass.

Companion bills in the state House and Senate have been submitted to establish the Maui Wildfires Settlement Trust Fund to pay claims from about 2,200 plaintiffs who’ve filed claims from injuries suffered in the August 2023 disaster.

HB 1900 HD1 SD1 highlights include funding to increase the state’s affordable housing inventory, early childhood education, and natural resource preservation.

The Hawaiʻi state Senate passed a total of 208 bills on third reading, ahead of the Second Crossover deadline of April 13.

Among the bills that passed over include a measure that prohibits electronic cigarettes for anyone under 18 years of age, and a bill that creates a trust fund from public and private funding for Hawaiʻi’s elderly population.

Today is opening day of the 25th Hawaii Legislative Session.  Ceremonies get underway at 10 a.m. in the House and Senate chambers.  Rep. Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, who was appointed by the Governor after the passing of Maui Rep. Bob Nakasone, has been added to the directories, and Rep. Pono Chong has been named Housing (HSG) […]