Hawaii Bill Book

If a state-hired child welfare group harms your child, this bill takes away your right to a jury trial and blocks extra money for extreme wrongdoing.

This bill bails out child welfare groups and their insurance companies by taking away the rights of harmed children. If a foster care group makes a terrible mistake, the family would not get a jury trial. They also could not get punitive damages, which are meant to punish the worst behavior. The state wants to keep these groups running by lowering their insurance costs, but it is doing so by making sure abused or neglected kids cannot get full justice in court. Now is the time to speak up before this passes.

Child welfare nonprofits and insurers

• Accountability (hurts) — Shields state-contracted nonprofits from punitive damages and full liability when they harm children.. Prohibits punitive damages and removes joint and several liability for nonprofit child welfare service organizations.
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — Removes the fundamental right to a jury trial for victims.. Requires actions against these organizations to be tried by the court without a jury, unless all parties consent.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts the financial burden of uncompensated harm onto the victims and their families.. Prohibits pre- and post-judgment interest and limits liability to the organization's specific percentage of fault.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — The bill does not significantly impact public transparency.. No major transparency provisions.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No direct public funding is appropriated or shifted in this bill.. Focuses on liability rules and state contract terms, not direct appropriations.

Pushing for it: Child welfare nonprofits and their insurers
Bearing the cost: Harmed children and their families

• LegiScan — HB1645https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/HB1645/2026

The bill would stop people from suing landowners if they get hurt while hiking or biking on private land, unless a law says otherwise.

If passed, everyday hikers and campers could lose the chance to hold owners accountable, while owners may open more land knowing they face fewer lawsuits.

Big Business

• Accountability (hurts) — Reduces landowner accountability. Landowners are protected from lawsuits for recreational injuries
• Rights & Protections (hurts) — Removes right to sue. People lose ability to sue for injuries on private recreational land
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts injury cost to individuals. Injured parties cannot recover damages from landowners
• Process Transparency (neutral) — No change to transparency. Bill simply clarifies existing rules
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No funding changes. No new money is allocated or taken

• Official text (HI HB12)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=12&year=2026
• LegiScan — HB12https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/HB12/2026

The bill would make insurers send 12% of each premium straight to a patient’s primary doctor, even if the doctor sees no one.

Consumers could see higher health costs because insurers may raise premiums to cover the new 12% payment, while doctors get guaranteed money regardless of care provided.

Primary care providers

• Accountability (neutral) — adds direct payment mechanism. primary care funding
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — no change to consumer rights. none
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — cost shift to insurers and consumers. premiums may rise
• Process Transparency (neutral) — negotiation process not detailed. unknown
• Funding Tilt (helps) — directly funds primary care providers. 12% of premiums

• Official text (HI SB1646)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1646&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB1646https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB1646/2026

This bill would double the state's film tax credit limit to $100 million a year, handing entertainment companies a massive tax break at the expense of regular taxpayers.

Film tax credits are a classic form of corporate welfare. By doubling the annual cap and increasing the payout percentages, this bill drains $50 million more from the state budget every year to subsidize movie and commercial shoots. That is money that could be spent on schools, roads, or tax cuts for everyday residents, instead of padding the profits of entertainment companies.

Film and Entertainment Industry

• Accountability (neutral) — Neutral. The bill does not directly impact legal accountability or liability.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Neutral. The bill does not affect consumer rights or legal protections.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts burden to taxpayers. Drains an additional $50 million in state revenue annually to subsidize private film productions, shifting the tax burden onto ordinary citizens.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Neutral. The bill does not alter public records or transparency laws.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Corporate welfare. Directs massive, exclusive tax breaks to the film and entertainment industry.

Pushing for it: Film and entertainment companies (new annual cap) ($100,000,000)
Bearing the cost: State taxpayers (annual increase in lost revenue) ($50,000,000)

• Official text (HI SB1574)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1574&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB1574https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB1574/2026

This bill would give movie and TV production companies a special, lower tax rate and let them skip paying taxes on crew wages.

This is a classic corporate tax break. By lowering taxes for Hollywood studios filming in Hawaii, the state hopes to bring in more jobs. But when big movie companies pay less in taxes, everyday taxpayers are left to make up the difference to fund schools, roads, and public services.

Film & TV Industry

• Accountability (neutral) — Neutral. The bill does not affect legal accountability or liability.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Neutral. The bill does not impact consumer rights or protections.
• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Shifts burden to taxpayers. By giving a specific industry a large tax cut, the state loses revenue, which shifts the burden of funding public services onto ordinary taxpayers.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Neutral. The bill does not change public records or government transparency laws.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Favors a specific industry. The bill creates special tax exemptions and lower rates exclusively for the film and digital media production industry.

Pushing for it: Film and media production companies
Bearing the cost: State tax revenue

• Official text (HI SB2796)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2796&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB2796https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB2796/2026

This bill would take millions away from an affordable housing fund and pause several business and green energy tax breaks to help balance the state budget.

Hawaii is facing a budget crunch. To keep basic services running without cutting tax breaks for regular families, lawmakers want to shift money around. The good news is this bill would pause tax credits for high-tech companies, ship repair, and research. The bad news is it would also cut up to 38 million dollars a year from a fund used to build affordable rental housing. In a state where housing costs are sky-high, losing that money would hurt everyday people who need a cheaper place to live.

Everyday People

• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Cuts affordable housing funds. The bill removes a rule that sends up to 38 million dollars a year from real estate taxes into the rental housing revolving fund.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Suspends corporate tax breaks. Shifts the burden of balancing the budget onto businesses by pausing tax credits for high-tech investment, ship repair, and research.

Pushing for it: State General Fund
Bearing the cost: Rental Housing Revolving Fund ($38,000,000)

• Official text (HI SB2801)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2801&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB2801https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB2801/2026

This bill would change how much employers pay for health benefits, affecting workers' coverage.

If this bill passes, it could change how much money goes into health benefits for workers. It's important to pay attention now, as it could impact many people's healthcare.

• Accountability (neutral) — No clear accountability measures for employers.. The bill does not specify how employers will be held accountable for contributions.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — No new rights or protections for workers.. The bill does not enhance workers' rights regarding health benefits.
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — Costs are shifted to employers without clear benefits for workers.. Employers will have fixed costs, but it's unclear how this affects workers.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Limited transparency in how contributions are determined.. The process for setting contribution rates lacks clarity.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — Funding remains unclear.. The exact funding implications for health benefits are not specified.

• Official text (HI HB848)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=848&year=2026
• LegiScan — HB848https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/HB848/2026

This bill would give a tax break to trash companies if they buy electric garbage trucks instead of gas ones.

Electric garbage trucks are quieter and better for the air. But this bill uses taxpayer money to help private trash companies buy their equipment. The bill leaves the exact dollar amount blank for now. We need to watch how much this will cost the state before cheering for it.

Trash companies

• Who Bears the Cost (hurts) — Taxpayers foot the bill. The state loses tax money to help private trash companies buy their trucks.
• Process Transparency (hurts) — Blank check. The bill leaves the actual dollar amount of the tax credit blank right now.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Corporate subsidy. Gives a special tax break specifically to the waste management industry.

Pushing for it: Trash companies
Bearing the cost: Hawaii taxpayers

• Official text (HI SB596)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=596&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB596https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB596/2026

This bill would give tax credits to insurers offering health plans, helping people afford healthcare in rural areas.

If this bill passes, it could make health insurance cheaper for many people, especially in places that need it most. Now is the time to speak up and support it.

Everyday People

• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Encourages health coverage options. Provides incentives for insurers to offer plans
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Tax credits may reduce costs for consumers. Helps lower insurance prices for policyholders
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Nonrefundable tax credits may not benefit all. Some may not benefit if they do not owe taxes

Pushing for it: Insurers offering health plans
Bearing the cost: Unknown

• Official text (HI SB2431)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2431&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB2431https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB2431/2026

Insurers in Hawaii must limit underwriting and investing in fossil fuel projects and report their climate impact, aiming to keep insurance affordable for everyday people.

The bill tries to stop insurers from backing new oil and gas projects, hoping to keep premiums from rising as climate disasters become more common. It forces insurers to be transparent and may cost them money, but could protect homeowners and renters from higher insurance costs.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Adds oversight and reporting requirements for insurers. Insurers must disclose climate‑related underwriting and investment data
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Aims to protect consumers from rising premiums. Limits on fossil‑fuel underwriting intended to keep insurance affordable
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Compliance costs fall on insurers, not consumers. Insurers must adjust portfolios and reporting, potentially absorbing costs
• Process Transparency (helps) — Requires clear definitions and public reporting. Department must publish rules and guidance on emissions calculations
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — Appropriates money for a special fund. State funds set aside for climate‑friendly insurance initiatives

Pushing for it: Climate-Friendly Insurers Special Fund
Bearing the cost: None

• Official text (HI SB2452)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2452&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB2452https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB2452/2026

This bill would stop courts from charging fines and fees to kids who break the law or forcing their parents to pay the debt.

When kids get in trouble, slapping them and their parents with heavy court fines does not fix the problem. It just traps families in debt they cannot pay. The state admits that most of these fines are never paid anyway. This bill wipes out those unfair fees and limits community service so kids can still go to school and work. It is a smart move that helps families get back on track instead of punishing them with endless bills. The bill passed the Senate but is currently stuck in a disagreement with the House, so it needs public support to cross the finish line.

Everyday People

• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects youth and parents from financial ruin.. The bill completely bans financial penalties for juvenile offenses and wipes out old debts.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Saves families money they cannot afford.. Families no longer have to pay court fees, meaning the state gives up trying to collect this money.
• Accountability (helps) — Focuses on real rehabilitation.. The text notes that charging fines is not an evidence-based way to rehabilitate or deter youth.

Pushing for it: Families and youth
Bearing the cost: State court system

• Official text (HI SB1028)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1028&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB1028https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB1028/2026

This bill would help hotel guests by making sure they know about problems before arriving and allowing them to cancel without fees.

If this bill passes, travelers will be better protected from surprise issues at hotels. They won't lose money if they need to cancel their stay due to disruptions. Now is the time to support this bill to help travelers feel safe and informed.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Hotels are held accountable for notifying guests.. Hotels must inform guests of issues or face penalties.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Guests have the right to cancel without penalties.. Guests can cancel without losing money if there are service problems.
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — Hotels bear the cost of penalties for violations.. Hotels must pay if they violate the rules.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Clear rules for notifying guests improve transparency.. Hotels must clearly communicate service disruptions.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No funding changes noted.. Unknown

• Official text (HI SB2773)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2773&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB2773https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB2773/2026

This bill would stop courts from charging fees or fines to kids and their parents for mistakes made when they were young, and it would erase old debts.

This bill is good news for families in Hawaii. It would stop courts from making kids and their parents pay fees and fines for things kids did when they were young. It would also wipe out any old debts from these fees. Right now, these costs often hurt families who cannot afford them and do not even help kids learn from their mistakes. Some might worry about the state losing money from these fines. But the bill itself says that most of these fines are never paid anyway, and they do not help kids get back on track. This bill would help many families avoid financial hardship and give kids a better chance to move forward.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Removes financial penalties for youth and families, shifting focus to other forms of accountability.. Prohibits assessment of fees, fines, or court costs against minors or their parents/guardians, and discharges related debt obligations.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects youth and families from financial burdens related to juvenile offenses.. The bill aims to protect minors and their families from financial hardship, recognizing that current practices disproportionately affect certain groups and are ineffective.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Removes financial costs from youth and families.. Fees and fines would no longer be levied against minors or their families, effectively removing this cost from them.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — No direct impact on process transparency is mentioned.. The bill does not address how court processes are made more or less transparent.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — State would lose potential revenue from fines, though collection rates are low.. The judiciary confirmed that only 17% of fines ordered against minors in the past five years have been paid, suggesting the revenue loss would be minimal but still a tilt against state funding.

Pushing for it: Youth and their families
Bearing the cost: State of Hawaii

• Official text (HI HB129)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=129&year=2026
• LegiScan — HB129https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/HB129/2026

This bill would stop landlords from charging you for background checks or credit reports if you already have them, saving you money when applying for rentals.

Right now, if you apply for many rentals, you might pay for the same background check or credit report over and over. This bill would help you save money by letting you use a copy of your reports that you already have, or a special reusable report. Landlords still need to check who they rent to, but this bill would make it easier and cheaper for people looking for a home. It would also make landlords give you a copy of your own reports if you ask. This bill is still being discussed, so now is the time to tell your lawmakers if you think it's a good idea to help renters save money.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Landlords would be more accountable for not charging duplicate fees.. The bill prohibits landlords from charging for background checks or credit reports if an applicant provides a certified copy or a reusable tenant screening report.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects renters from unfair or repeated application fees.. The bill aims to reduce the financial burden on applicants by preventing landlords from charging for information already provided or easily accessible through reusable reports.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Shifts some application costs away from renters.. Renters would save money by not having to pay for multiple background checks and credit reports, especially in a tight housing market.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — No direct impact on process transparency.. The bill focuses on fee structure and report sharing, not on making the application process itself more transparent.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No specific funding changes are mentioned.. The bill addresses application fees, not government funding or subsidies.

Pushing for it: Renters
Bearing the cost: Landlords or their agents

• Official text (HI HB638)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=638&year=2026
• LegiScan — HB638https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/HB638/2026

This bill would give people money back on their taxes if they fix or buy a water system or get water delivered, helping them get clean water.

This bill would help people in Hawaii who do not have city water lines. It would give them a tax credit for fixing their rainwater systems or buying water. This could make it easier for families to afford clean water, especially in poorer areas. Some might say that tax credits cost the state money, but supporters believe it helps people get a basic need and saves water too. This bill is still moving, so people can let their lawmakers know if they think it is a good idea to help more families get water.

Everyday People

• Accountability (neutral) — No direct impact on accountability.. The bill focuses on providing financial relief rather than changing accountability standards for services or systems.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Helps protect access to a basic need.. By making water access more affordable through a tax credit, the bill supports the ability of residents to secure a basic necessity for their homes.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Shifts some cost from individuals to the state.. The tax credit would reduce the financial burden on individuals for water systems or delivery, with the cost being borne by the state through reduced tax revenue.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — No specific impact on transparency.. The bill does not address government transparency or public access to information regarding legislative processes or services.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — Provides financial benefit to individuals.. The refundable income tax credit directly benefits taxpayers by reducing their tax liability or providing a refund, supporting their access to alternative water sources.

Pushing for it: Taxpayers who install, repair, or use a water catchment system or buy water delivery services ($500)
Bearing the cost: State of Hawaii

• Official text (HI HB690)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=690&year=2026
• LegiScan — HB690https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/HB690/2026

This bill would make sure all vacation rental prices show all fees upfront, so people know what they will pay.

If this bill passes, families will avoid surprise fees when booking their vacations. Now is the time to support clear pricing for everyone.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Encourages honest pricing. The bill holds companies accountable for showing all fees.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects consumers. It helps consumers by ensuring they know the total cost upfront.
• Who Bears the Cost (neutral) — Costs are shifted to companies. Companies must include fees, but this is fair for consumers.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Clear rules for pricing. The bill sets clear rules for how prices should be displayed.
• Funding Tilt (neutral) — No funding changes. The bill does not change how funding works.

• Official text (HI HB973)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=973&year=2026
• LegiScan — HB973https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/HB973/2026

This bill would stop courts from charging fines and fees to kids who break the law, and it cancels any old debts their parents still owe.

When kids get in trouble, courts often slap their parents with heavy fines. This traps families in debt they cannot pay. If passed, this bill will wipe out those old debts. It will also stop courts from handing out new fines to minors. Instead of paying money, kids might have to do community service or give up their driver's license. It does mean a little less money will go to state trauma funds. But it gives ordinary families a much-needed fresh start and keeps them out of the debt trap.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Replaces money fines with community service.. Kids will still face consequences like losing their license or doing community work instead of paying cash.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects families from endless court debt.. The bill wipes out old debts that families could not afford to pay.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Lifts a heavy burden off ordinary families.. Parents will no longer have to pay thousands of dollars for mistakes their children make.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Standard legal changes.. The bill clearly lists which fees are being removed.
• Funding Tilt (hurts) — Reduces money for some state programs.. State trauma funds and driver education programs will lose the money that used to come from these youth fines.

Pushing for it: Families with juvenile court debt
Bearing the cost: State trauma and driver education funds

• LegiScan — HB1626https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/HB1626/2026

This bill would give you a tax break or a cash rebate if you install a system that recycles water or pulls water from the air for your home.

Hawaii is running low on water, so lawmakers want to help pay for new technology that saves it. If this passes, regular families and low-income homeowners will get thousands of dollars back for installing water-saving systems. It is a great deal for both your wallet and the environment.

Everyday People

• Accountability (neutral) — Neutral. The bill does not change legal accountability or lawsuit rules.
• Rights & Protections (neutral) — Neutral. The bill focuses on financial incentives rather than consumer rights.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Helps consumers. The state government takes on the cost to help ordinary people afford expensive water-saving technology.
• Process Transparency (neutral) — Neutral. The bill sets up standard rules for claiming the tax credits and rebates.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — Pro-consumer funding. Provides direct cash rebates and tax credits to homeowners, with extra money specifically set aside for low-income families.

Pushing for it: Low-income homeowners ($12,500)
Bearing the cost: State tax revenue

• Official text (HI SB547)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=547&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB547https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB547/2026

This bill would let disaster-struck counties cap how much landlords can raise rent each year and give landlords a tax break for offering long-term leases.

After the Maui wildfires, many renters faced massive rent hikes. This bill would step in to stop price gouging when people are most vulnerable. It would allow hard-hit counties to limit rent increases to match normal inflation. To keep things fair, it would also offer a tax credit to landlords who agree to sign leases that last a year or longer. This would be a huge win for renters who just want a stable place to live without fear of sudden price spikes.

Everyday People

• Accountability (helps) — Strict limits on rent hikes. Holds landlords accountable to a strict, data-driven cap on rent increases in disaster zones.
• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects renters from price gouging. Creates a major new protection for renters against predatory pricing after their communities are destroyed.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Shifts burden off renters. Shifts the financial burden of housing shortages away from vulnerable renters and uses state tax credits to help landlords.
• Process Transparency (helps) — Clear, published rules. Requires counties to calculate and publish the exact rent cap percentage every year so everyone knows the rules.
• Funding Tilt (helps) — Incentivizes stable housing. Uses state tax credits to encourage landlords to provide stable, long-term housing instead of chasing quick profits.

Pushing for it: Landlords offering long-term leases
Bearing the cost: State tax revenue

• Official text (HI SB1133)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1133&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB1133https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB1133/2026

This bill would stop the state from charging court fines and fees to kids who break the law, and it would wipe out old debts their families still owe.

Saddling teenagers and their parents with court debt does not teach a good lesson. It just traps families in a financial hole they cannot dig out of. By replacing fines with community service, this bill focuses on real growth instead of squeezing money out of people who usually cannot pay it anyway.

Everyday People

• Rights & Protections (helps) — Protects families from debt. The bill explicitly bans the state from levying financial penalties against minors or their parents.
• Who Bears the Cost (helps) — Relieves families. Shifts the cost of the justice system away from families, noting that only 17 percent of these fines are ever paid anyway.
• Accountability (helps) — Community service. Replaces fines with community service or the loss of driving privileges to hold kids accountable without debt.

Pushing for it: Families of juvenile offenders
Bearing the cost: State courts and special funds

• Official text (HI SB2540)https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2540&year=2026
• LegiScan — SB2540https://legiscan.com/HI/bill/SB2540/2026