Legislative marathon continues, with Grassroot running for a better Hawaii

from Grassroot Institute of Hawaii

So many bills, so little time. Grassroot staff nevertheless has found the time to testify on many of the hundreds of bills that are being considered by the 2025 Hawaii State Legislature, especially measures related to housing, healthcare, taxes and government accountability.

Below is the extensive list of testimonies submitted in just the past two weeks, including to three of Hawaii's county councils.

In all cases, Grassroot's goal is to lower Hawaii's cost of living, increase economic opportunities and make Hawaii a place where we can all thrive and prosper.

Hawaii Legislature

House

>> HB1 — "Change how counties interact with State Building Code Council”

>> HB29 HD1 — “Amend HB29 to prevent counties from abusing seized-property sales”

>> HB126 — “Reform of state’s civil asset forfeiture program long overdue”

>> HB276 — “Exempt CPR homebuilders from red tape if they live in 1 of the 2 units”

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

>> HB324 — “Mandate that health plans reimburse pharmacists too”

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

>> HB330 HD1 — “Costly school impact fees not even being used, so let’s just ditch them”

>> HB331 HD1 — “‘Repetitive’ state building projects shouldn’t be required to pull permits”

>> HB367 — "Enact bill for county permits that mirrors law for certain ag structures"

>> HB416 — “Skip need for county approvals of state-funded affordable housing”

>> HB419 — “Lessen wait time for county review of HHFDC-approved housing projects”

>> HB421 — “Let owner-builders lease newly constructed homes within a year”

>> HB422 — “Abolish school impact fees, put unused revenues to good use”

>> HB504 — “Public has right to know if tax bill is going to involve rate increase”

>> HB527 — “Bar counties from adding costly requirements to HHFDC projects”

>> HB533 — “Redefining 'historic property' could help quicken SHPD review process”

>> HB572 — “GET cut for certain foods, medicines would instantly reduce living costs”

>> HB642 — “Make it easier for public to learn of proposed administrative rule changes”

>> HB709 — “Pass HB709 to enable quicker removal of people unlawfully occupying homes”

>> HB732 — “Increase, index SMA value thresholds to cut building costs, permit delays”

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

>> HB735 HD1 — “Extend ‘dwelling unit’ definition to guest houses, detached rooms”

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

>> HB738 — “Set time limit on preservation reviews for residential projects in TOD zones”

>> HB738 HD1 — “Amend SHPD review process for homebuilding in TOD zones”

>> HB745 — “Pass HB745 to fix convoluted building code adoption process”

>> HB745 HD1 — “Single statewide building code could still balance safety and cost”

>> HB755 HD1— “Paid family leave proposal deserves more analysis of potential effects”

>> HB761 — “Exempt state projects from needing county permits”

>> HB826 — “Let counties expand housing in rural or agricultural land-use districts”

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

>> HB830 HD1 — “Let DLNR hire third parties to help with SHPD reviews when needed”

>> HB933 HD1 — “Waive GET on SNAP/WIC-eligible items for immediate cost-of-living relief”

>> HB941 — “Adopt ‘right to walk’ measure but clean up vague language”

>> HB959 — “Consider tax proposals in HB959 separately — and with specific rates”

>> HB966 — “Ag tourism bill not broad enough”

>> HB966 HD1 — “Expand opportunities for ranchers, farmers to benefit from ag tourism”

>> HB1077 — “Spare residents from effects of TAT increase; reject HB1077”

>> HB1077 HD1 — “Increased tourism tax would hurt industry and burden
residents”

>> HB1321 — "Quicken code adoption process, remove county authority to amend"

>> HB1405 — “Set deadlines, create digital portals for efficient DBEDT permit processing”

>> HB1409 HD1 — “Use by-right development to increase housing density in county TOD zones”

>> HB1410 HD1 — “Higher conveyance tax could further damage Hawaii housing market”

>> HB1424 — “Fix vague wording to stop end runs around bill’s intent”

>> HB1503 — “Waive need for SMA permits in Lahaina historic landmark district”

>> HB1604 HD1 — “Surge in ‘temporary’ TAT rate would affect everyone, not just tourists”

Senate

>> SB15 — “50-years-old’ should not always be part of ‘historic property’ definition”

>> SB66 — “Implement 60-day ‘shot clock’ to facilitate quicker home construction”

>> SB67 — “Eliminate inclusionary zoning rules for certain properties to boost housing”

>> SB324 — “Mandate that health plans reimburse pharmacists too”

>> SB353 — “SB353 offers excellent ways to protect public during emergencies”

>> SB353 SD1 — “Broaden power of Legislature to prevent abuse of emergency statute”

>> SB430 — “Apply IRS interest rate to state overpayment tax refunds”

>> SB492 — “Reject attempt to extend sunsets of ‘temporary’ GET surcharges”

>> SB846 — “Government transparency vital during states of emergency”

>> SB1002 — “Require DLNR to hire contractors when needed to speed up permitting”

>> SB1043 — “Get rid of tax increases proposed in SB1043, consider tax cuts only”

>> SB1065 — “Unnecessary degree requirements hindering state job opportunities”

>> SB1133 — “Economists oppose rent controls, Hawaii lawmakers should too”

>> SB1181 — “SMA waiver would give residents of Lahaina better chance of recovery”

>> SB1200 — “Hawaii is perfect environment for affordable housing 'sandbox'"

>> SB1245 — “Include pharmacists in medical services reimbursements”

>> SB1255 — “Don’t let government contractors sidestep transparency rules”

>> SB1263 — “Impose shorter, stricter timelines for 'historic' reviews in TOD zones”

>> SB1278 — “Refund GET payments made on COVID-era revitalization funds”

>> SB1279 — “Telehealth bill for pharmacists limited but still would be important step”

>> SB1296 — “Streamline SMA permitting process to speed up rebuilding of Lahaina”

>> SB1333 — “Don’t let counties’ GET surcharge become ‘forever temporary tax’”

>> SB1396 — “Increasing taxes on tourism could wreak havoc on Hawaii’s economy”

>> SB1423 — “Health Department exemption would be good start toward CON-law reform”

>> SB1513 — “Prohibit using vacant-jobs funds for operating expenses, and vice versa”

>> SB1540 — “Ditch current broken process, adopt single state building code”

>> SB1614 — “Prioritize HHFDC funds to by-right, high-density projects in TOD zones”

>> SB1619 — “Cosmetology licensure compact would provide many benefits”

>> SB1620 — “Liberate hair braiders from limbo under current licensing requirements”

>> SB1621 — “Create separate, more relevant path to licensure for nail technicians”

Hawaii's counties

Hawai‘i

>> Bill 12 — “Exempt utility from electrical code, speed up permitting for everyone”

Honolulu

>> Bill 1 (2025) — “Make COVID-era Outdoor Dining Services Pilot Program permanent”

>> Bill 2 (2025) — “Remove references in city code to obsolete, inactive programs”

>> Bill 3 (2025) — “Repeal outdated tax incentives, discuss lowering business costs”

>> Bill 6 (2025) — “Delete code references to placement of phone booths in public places”

>> Bill 9 (2025 — “City code should include list of fees, license and permit costs”

>> Bill 63 (2024) — “Continue ADU fee waivers to encourage growth in homebuilding”

Maui

>> Bill 105 — “Waive zoning rules to facilitate rebuilding of destroyed nonconforming structures”

>> Resolution 25-48 — “Waive registration rules for Maui B&Bs destroyed by 2023 fires”