Grassroot sifts through onslaught of bills to separate keepers from duds

from Grassroot Institute, Feb 1, 2025

Hawaii state legislators are dropping their proposals for consideration during the 2025 legislative session, and Grassroot has been working diligently at the same time to separate the winners from the losers.

There have been some welcome surprises in the winners column, concerning issues such as housing, government transparency and reform of the state's emergency powers. But many of the usual losers are back, mainly the proposals to increase taxes or impose new so-called fees.

Below are testimonies submitted by Grassroot over the past week or so concerning both winners and losers, as well as some testimonies submitted to the Kaua‘i and Honolulu county councils.

Hawaii Legislature

House:

>> HB29 — "HB29 does not adequately protect equity interests of homeowners"

>> HB284 — "Permitting ‘shot clock’ would quicken process, add certainty"

>> HB131 — "Grant researchers, watchdog groups greater access to government records"

>> HB224 — "Make it easier to remove criminal ‘squatters’ from private property"

>> HB330 — "Repealing school impact fees would help ease housing prices"

>> HB476 — "Capital gains tax increase could worsen Hawaii’s business climate"

>> HB596 — "Legislature needs to craft more precise definition of ’emergency’"

>> HB604 — "Proposal to increase TAT — again — feeds cynicism about taxes"

>> HB673 — "HB673 would uphold transparency during state of emergency"

>> HB735 — "Let septic systems serve up to five rooms across multiple dwellings"

>> HB737 — "Redefine ‘historic property,’ including 50-year-old threshold"

>> HB738 — "Expedite SHPD reviews for residential projects in TOD zones" (Jan. 31 hearing)

>> HB738 — "Set time limit on preservation reviews for residential projects in TOD zones" (Jan. 28 hearing)

>> HB745 — "Pass HB745 to fix convoluted building code adoption process"

>> HB755 — "Paid family leave appealing, but tradeoffs might not be worth it"

>> HB761 — "Exempt state projects from needing county permits"

>> HB830 — "Allow hiring third parties to help with historic property reviews"

>> HB933 — "Reduce GET for taxpayers eligible for SNAP and WIC program benefits"

>> HB1321 — "Include pharmacists in medical services reimbursements"

>> HB1409 — "Increase floor-area ratios in TOD districts to facilitate more housing"

>> HB1410 — "Conveyance tax surge could harm economy and housing market"

Senate:

>> SB38 — "Limit ability of counties to add costs to 201H affordable housing projects"

>> SB48 — "Require code council to assess potential costs of code changes"

>> SB55 — "Require digital access for all changes in administrative rules"

>> SB106 — "Don’t penalize pedestrians for safely crossing the street"

>> SB120 — "Change state’s role in how new building codes adopted by counties"

>> SB161 — "Exempt state projects from county permitting to cut delays for everyone"

>> SB353 — "SB353 offers excellent ways to protect public during emergencies"

>> SB406 — "Cap fees associated with search and reproduction of public records"

>> SB418 — "Create process to identify rules that are doing more harm than good"

>> SB588 — "Allow self-certification and change flood-zone rules for solar projects"

>> SB722 — "Reform of Hawaii’s abuse-prone civil asset forfeiture long overdue"

>> SB760 — "Hawaii cannot afford massive increase in rate of taxation on fuels"

>> SB765 — "Limit liability for beekeepers who follow industry best practices"

>> SB856 — "Include pharmacists in medical services reimbursements"

>> SB1081 — "Adopt ‘fiscal notes’ to monitor state budget and spending"

>> SB1245 — "Include pharmacists in medical services reimbursements"

Hawaii's Counties

Honolulu

>> Bill 1 (2025) — "Let local eateries keep outdoor dining as a permanent option"

>> Bill 2 (2025) — "Remove inactive funds and outdated sections from Honolulu city code"

>> Bill 3 (2025) — "Old city program was based on good idea but was never used, so ditch it"

>> Bill 6 (2025) — "References to telephone booths in city code no longer make sense"

>> Bill 9 (2025) — "List of fees and charges should be kept current and accessible"

>> Bill 63 (2024) — "Extend waiver of certain fees for accessory dwelling unit construction"

Kaua‘i

>> Bill 2924 — "Expand allowable farmers market venues to boost island’s economy"