Several bills addressing top concerns advance to vote by full state Senate

Lawmakers in Honolulu during the 2025 state legislative session are making progress on tackling top community concerns, with members of the Hawaiʻi Senate Ways and Means Committee advancing this week bills that address some of the state’s most pressing needs.

The measures — which now move to the full Senate for a final vote before crossing over to the state House — include actions to curb illegal fireworks, increase workforce development opportunities for residents, enhance the health and safety of electric bike users and stabilize the condominium insurance market.

“As Hawaiʻi faces rising costs and evolving challenges, we have to act now to safeguard our communities, create more job options for our residents and build a more resilient future for the state,” said Senate Ways and Means Chairman Oʻahu Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz. “Moving these bills forward aligns with our Senate priorities of improving the quality of life for all our residents.”

Big Island state legislators Senate Majority Leader Dru Kanuha and Senate Majority Whip Lorraine Inouye are members of the Ways and Means Committee.

Here are the bills that passed out of the committee, what they would do and their goals.

Senate Bill 222: Relating to fireworks

• Would extend the timeline for the Illegal Fireworks Task Force under the Hawaiʻi Department of Law Enforcement, which was established in 2023 by the Hawaiʻi Legislature.
• The task force is focused on intercepting illegal fireworks and addressing the growing problem of homemade explosives in the community.
• Aimed at continuing the task force’s work to improve public safety and reduce risks related to illegal fireworks.

Senate Bill 327: Relating to interships

• Would expand the existing Hele Imua internship program, which was funded by the Hawaiʻi Legislature in 2022 and provides opportunities for residents to gain valuable work-based experience as well as support themselves and their families.
• Workforce development programs such as Hele Imua are aimed at reversing the brain drain and keeping people employed in Hawaiʻi.

Senate Bill 1117: Relating to transportation

• Would clarify regulations for electric bikes, or e-bikes, by adding helmet requirements, setting age limits for certain types of e-bikes.
• Introduces insurance requirements for electric motorcycles.
• Would expand an existing rebate program to encourage more people to safely and sustainably use e-bikes.
• Aimed at promoting responsible use of e-bikes, which can help reduce reliance on traditional vehicles. 

Senate Bill 1044: Relating to the stabilization of property insurance

• Would expand the Hawaiʻi Property Insurance Association and Hawaiʻi Hurricane Relief Fund to offer coverage for properties unable to get insurance through private companies.
• Amended to include a loan program that helps condos address maintenance issues, which have led to higher insurance premiums or made it difficult to get insurance from private companies.
• Aimed at solving the rapidly rising insurance costs for condominiums.