2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

WATCH HEARINGS

UPCOMING HEARINGS

FIND YOUR SENATOR

OUR LEADERSHIP

RONALD D. KOUCHI
President of the Senate

DRU MAMO KANUHA
Majority Leader

GLENN WAKAI
Majority Floor Leader

LYNN DECOITE
Assistant Majority Floor Leader

LES IHARA, JR.
Majority Policy Leader

LORRAINE INOUYE
Majority Whip

TROY N. HASHIMOTO
Assistant Majority Whip

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE
Assistant Majority Whip

CHRIS LEE
Assistant Majority Whip

HERBERT "TIM" RICHARDS, III
Assistant Majority Whip

STAY CONNECTED:

This morning, Senator Chris Lee joined Governor Josh Green for the signing of SB2999, landmark legislation establishing a Clean Fuel Standard for Hawaiʻi to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector while accelerating the transition to cleaner, more sustainable fuels.

Transportation is Hawaiʻi's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. SB2999 requires the Department of Transportation to adopt rules establishing a market-based Clean Fuel Standard that encourages the use of lower-carbon transportation fuels.

#HawaiiStateSenate #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction #Transportation #Sustainability #ChrisLee #Hawaii

Senator Jarrett Keohokalole delivered remarks during Governor Josh Green's signing of HB2137 and SB3001, some of the nation's strongest safeguards for the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

HB2137 protects individuals from the unauthorized use of AI-generated realistic digital imitations, providing legal remedies against harmful deepfakes while preserving important exemptions for lawful uses.

SB3001 establishes consumer protections for AI companion platforms by requiring transparency, safeguards for minors, crisis response protocols for users expressing suicidal ideation or self-harm, and annual reporting to strengthen oversight and accountability.

#HawaiiStateSenate #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #ConsumerProtection #Technology #Innovation #Hawaii

Kūpuna Caucus Chair Senator Sharon Y. Moriwaki joined Governor Josh Green, along with Senator Angus L.K. McKelvey and Senator Kurt Fevella, for the signing of HB1853, legislation establishing the Hānai Memory Network Program to strengthen dementia care and support for Hawaiʻi's aging population.

As dementia rates continue to rise, many families, especially those in rural communities and on the neighbor islands, face delayed diagnoses, limited access to coordinated care, and the overwhelming financial burden of long-term memory care.

HB1853 creates a statewide network of dementia care specialists, memory clinics, community partnerships, and caregiver resources to improve early detection, care coordination, and long-term support.

#HawaiiStateSenate #kūpuna #DementiaCare #HealthyAging #HanaiMemoryNetwork #Hawaii

Senate Education Committee Chair Donna Mercado Kim delivered remarks during the signing of HB1890 and HB1888, two measures that strengthen Hawaiʻi's public education system by supporting educators and promoting safer learning environments.

HB1890 provides annual salary step increases for public school and public charter school teachers, consistent with collective bargaining agreements and the legislative appropriation process, helping recognize educators' continued service and support teacher recruitment and retention.

HB1888 strengthens protections for educational workers by requiring schools to better address harassment, expanding legal protections for teachers and sports officials, and establishing stronger penalties for individuals who intentionally disrupt school functions or harass educators while they are performing their duties.

Senator Donna Mercado Kim noted that "we recognize you and your value, teachers. We appreciate your commitment, and we support you."

#HawaiiStateSenate #Education #SupportOurTeachers #SafeSchools #PublicEducation #Hawaii

Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, co-facilitated a joint informational briefing with the House Committee on Judiciary featuring Chief Election Officer Scott Nago to help prepare Hawaiʻi voters for the 2026 Primary and General Elections.

During the briefing, Chief Election Officer Scott Nago responds to Senator Rhoads, encouraging voters to take advantage of the resources available at elections.hawaii.gov, where residents can register to vote, review important election deadlines, track their ballot, and locate the nearest ballot drop box and Voter Service Center.

Where will you be voting from this election? 🗳️

#HawaiiStateSenate #Judiciary #Elections #VoteHI #HawaiiVotes #Democracy

Senator Chris Lee joined Governor Josh Green for the signing of Act 226 (SB3253), recognizing the State of Hawaiʻi Conservation Sanctuary to strengthen endangered species protection and wildlife conservation across the islands.

During the bill signing ceremony, Senator Lee delivered remarks highlighting Hawaiʻi's unique responsibility as home to some of the world's rarest native species that requires innovative partnerships extending beyond national borders in order to support conservation, education, research, and community engagement for future generations.

Act 226 recognizes the Hawaiʻi Conservation Sanctuary as a nonprofit entity dedicated to protecting and expanding populations of endangered species and other wildlife. Inspired by successful conservation sanctuary models such as Zealandia (Te Mara a Tane), which is a pioneering conservation sanctuary in Wellington, New Zealand, the measure creates new opportunities to restore native ecosystems while advancing long-term conservation efforts throughout the state.

#HawaiiStateSenate #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies #ProtectHawaii #Sustainability #ChrisLee

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HAWAIʻI SENATE MAJORITY

Ka ʻAha Kenekoa – Ka ʻAoʻao Hapa Nui

2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

OUR LEADERSHIP

STAY CONNECTED:

2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

OUR LEADERSHIP

STAY CONNECTED:

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