State Legislature

Did you know that Hawaiʻi is only one of two states in the country with a public access room? HPR went down to the Hawaiʻi State Capitol and spoke with Andy Langhurst, the head of the office.

A measure introduced by Rep. Jeanné Kapela would mandate the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to meet benchmarks to return them to Hawai‘i facilities. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports.

Andy Langhurst, head of the Public Access Room at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, sheds light on the legislative process; Daniel Zitterbart, co-inventor of the "Whale Spotter" system, talks about how the AI technology can help avoid whale strikes

A bill moving through the state Legislature would mandate a training program on how to spot possible trafficking victims, what to do, and who to contact.

The proposed bill would expand current protections to include gender-affirming care, which the bill defines as “medically necessary health care that respects the gender identity of the patient, as experienced and defined by the patient.”

More than half of U.S. states, including Hawaiʻi, are considering new laws around balcony solar. HPR’s Savannah Harriman-Pote reports on why this technology is gaining traction.

Senators advanced a measure Tuesday that would allow elected officials to be charged with a misdemeanor if they're found to have failed to report bribery.

The coalition has three demands for state lawmakers: pass this legislative session’s good government bills, end private campaign financing, and create a new, comprehensive public funding system.

House lawmakers have advanced a measure that would subsidize home insurance for low-income families in lava zones on Hawaiʻi Island.

HPR spoke with Democratic state Rep. Della Au Belatti about renewed calls for Gov. Josh Green to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate an unnamed "influential lawmaker" who was allegedly handed money in a paper bag in 2022.