HPR's coverage of the Hawaiʻi legislative session
Hawaiʻi Public Radio tracked the latest news inside the Hawaiʻi State Capitol as lawmakers worked throughout the 2025 legislative session from Jan. 15 to May 2.
Hawaiʻi's Legislature operates on a biennial (two-year) system. 2025 is the first year of the upcoming biennium. Bills that did not pass in 2025 can be revived in 2026 at the same legislative stage.
On this page, you'll also find interviews from HPR's The Conversation with state lawmakers, appointed officials, and leaders such as Gov. Josh Green, Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura.
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Have a legislative tip or story idea for Hawaiʻi Public Radio? Contact us at news@hawaiipublicradio.org.
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Audrey McAvoy/APIn a bill-signing ceremony Wednesday, Gov. Josh Green enacted a reform to the state's Contractor Repair Act, which gives contractors and property owners the option to fix building issues without lawsuits. -
Office of Gov. Josh GreenGov. Josh Green signed a measure Wednesday to provide additional funding to nonprofits impacted by federal cuts. But HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports some are raising constitutional issues about the new law.
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The new law establishes safeguards for these ponds and requires new ones to meet strict safety regulations before they are built. It also requires signage clearly indicating that swimming is not allowed, enclosed fencing, and flotation devices to be installed around or near each pond. -
Gov. Josh Green quietly signed into law a major piece of legislation dealing with Hawaiian Electric's finances on Tuesday night. -
The state has started to accept applications for hurricane insurance from Condominium and Townhouse Associations that have been unable to secure full coverage on the regulated market. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports on the efforts to stabilize property insurance in Hawaiʻi. -
In a Friday bill-signing ceremony, Gov. Josh Green enacted Act 242, or House Bill 496, the vehicle for the new māmaki labeling rules. The law went into effect Tuesday. -
Gov. Josh Green signed the state's $40 billion two-year budget into law on Monday. But he reduced it by about $110 million. Green notified lawmakers in June that these cuts were likely as the state's revenue projections dropped since the legislative session came to a close.
