Opinion: Review of Bills Introduced in 2024

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Hawaii lawmakers introduce bills during the legislative session. Some become law; others carry over to the next legislative session. Here are some bills I've written about that might interest you.

House/Senate Bills

• House Bill 2765 - Online betting
• House Bill 2762 - Casino on Oahu
• House Bill 1146 - Carbon Tax
• Senate Bill 3296 - State workers work from home
• House Bill 2642 - termination of a rental agreement; mediation first
• Senate Bill 408 - Campaign spending from campaign funds
• Senate Bill 2257 - You don't need a degree to be a teacher (revised bill)
• House Bill 856 - Four-day workweek for state workers.
• Senate Bill 103 - Increase the Governor's power
• Senate Bill 2903 - State decides when it's safe for Lahaina residents to return to Lahaina
• Senate Bill 1008 - Carbon Tax on airline to help reduce gas emissions by airlines
• Senate Bill 3256 - Approved News Outlets Only
• House Bill 2081 - Additional tax on tourists to $50 per day; transient accommodation rate tax
• House Bill 1785 - Collect unemployment while employers are on strike.

The bills I think will pass through and be signed are the following bills:

• Senate Bill 103 (Increase the Governor's power)
• Senate Bill 2903 (State decides when it's safe to return to Lahaina)
• Senate Bill 3256 (approved news outlets only)
• House Bill 2081 ($50 per day for tourists; accommodation rate tax).

Final Thoughts

As with legislative sessions, some bills will be passed and signed into law, while others will carry over for future discussion. The Gambling bill is up for debate again, but it's difficult to say if it will pass and become law.

The legislature also removed the "you don't need a degree" section of Senate Bill 2257; scholarships represent Senate Bill 2257.