Hawaii Legislative Overview – 2025 Session
HAWAII Legislative Overview – 2025 Session
(Adjourned on May 2, 2025)
28 pet related items were proposed during the 1st year of the 2025-26 legislative session, 18 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 47/SB 177 | Aquatic Livestock Import Process: Amends Title 11 (Agriculture & Animals), Chapter 141 (Department of Agriculture) of HI Revised Statutes by adding a new Section 141-A (Aquatic livestock assessment and approval process) to provide that the Animal Industry Division shall administer an assessment and approval process to import and move aquatic livestock in the State. | PENDING (HELD OVER TO 2026 SESSION) |
| HB 123 | Fishery Environmental Review Exemptions: Amends Title 19 (Health), Chapter 343 (Environmental Impact Statements) of Hawaii Revised Statutes by adding a new section to exempt actions involving the operation and management of fisheries in the State from environmental review requirements. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| HB 364 | Mandatory Spay-Neuter (Cats)/Spay-Neuter Fund: Amends Title 11 (Agriculture & Animals), Chapter 143 (Animals: Licenses & Regulations) of Hawaii Revised Statutes to: (1) Require that cats over the age of three months be surgically sterilized, with certain exceptions; and (2) Establish the Spay and Neuter Special Fund to reduce pet overpopulation. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| HB 544/SB 1026 | “Hawaii Pet Insurance Act”: Amends Title 24 (Insurance), Chapter 431 (Insurance Code) by adding a new Article (“Hawaii Pet Insurance Act”) which establishes a regulatory framework specifically for pet insurance based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ Pet Insurance Model Act. | ENACTED (EFFECTIVE ON 1/1/26) |
| HB 661 | Environmental Reviews – Allowance for Continued Activities: Amends Division 1 (Government), Title 19 (Health), Chapter 343 (Environmental Impact Statements), Section 343-5 (Applicability and Requirements) of Hawaii Revised Statutes to allow previously authorized activities in Hawaii to continue during environmental reviews, except for certain structural modifications to minimize disruptions. | PENDING (HELD OVER TO 2026 SESSION) |
| HB 699 | Homeowner’s Insurance – Breed-Specific Prohibition: Amends Title 24 (Insurance), Chapter 431 (Insurance Code) and Title 28 (Property), Chapter 521 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Code) of Hawaii Revised Statutes to prohibit insurers from refusing to issue or renew, canceling, restricting, otherwise terminating, or charging higher rates for a commercial general liability insurance policy, homeowners insurance policy, renters insurance policy, or dwelling fire policy based on the breed of any dog that is kept on the insured premises. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| SB 16 | Aquarium Fish Permit Exemption: Amends Title 12 (Conservation & Resources), Subtitle 5 (Aquatic Resources & Wildlife), Chapter 188 (Fishing Rights & Regulations), Section 188-31 (Permits to take aquatic life for aquarium purposes) of Hawaii Revised Statutes to exempt persons engaging in aquaculture research from the aquarium fish permit requirement. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| SB 416 | Landlord-Tenant – Pet Restrictions: Amends Title 28 (Property), Chapter 521 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Code) of Hawaii Revised Statutes by adding a new section to prohibit rental agreements from prohibiting tenants from keeping pet animals in dwelling units. | PENDING (HELD OVER TO 2026 SESSION) |
| SB 519 | Aquaculture Advisory Committee: Amends Title 11 (Agriculture & Animals), Chapter 141 (Department of Agriculture) of HI Revised Statutes by adding a new section to establish the Aquaculture Advisory Committee within the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| SB 593 | Commercial Dog Breeder Standards/Inspection/Licensing: Amends Chapter 143 (Animals: Licenses & Regulations) of Hawaii Revised Statutes by adding a new section to establish regulations for commercial dog breeders in Hawaii to include: (1) Standards of care; (2) Recordkeeping requirements; (3) Inspections; (4) licensing; and (5) Penalties for non-compliance. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| SB 839 | Aquarium Fishing Violations – Fine Increase: Amends Title 12 (Conservation & Resources), Subtitle 5 (Aquatic Resources & Wildlife), Chapter 188 (Fishing Rights and Regulations), Section 188-70 (Penalties) of Hawaii Revised Statutes to increase fines for aquarium fishing violations. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| SB 1024 | Public Housing Authority – Pet Deposits: Amends Chapter 356D (Hawaii Public Housing Authority) of Hawaii Revised Statutes by adding a new section to require the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to allow any resident of a public housing project or state low-income housing project to keep one or more pet animals in the resident’s unit, subject to applicable state laws, county ordinances, and any reasonable conditions. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| SB 1295 | Shipping Container – Licensing Program: Amends Title 15 (Transportation & Utilities), Chapter 266 (Harbors) of Hawaii Revised Statutes by adding a new section (Container Licensing Program) to establish within the Department of Transportation the Container Licensing Program to mitigate the influx of illegal contraband into the State. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| SB 1551 | Single-Use Plastic Bag Prohibition: Amends Title 19 (Health), Chapter 342H (Solid Waste Pollution) of Hawaii Revised Statutes by adding a new section (“Single-Use Plastic Bags”) to provide that no business shall provide single-use plastic bags or non-recyclable paper bags to any customer. | DIED IN COMMITTEE (MISSED CROSSOVER DEADLINE) |
| SCR 165/SR 134 | Lifting of Fishing Moratorium: A Senate Concurrent Resolution seeking to lift the fishing moratorium in the Lapakahi Marine Life Conservation District, citing ecological recovery and economic needs, and calling for sustainable management and community collaboration. | PENDING (HELD OVER TO 2026 SESSION) |
View ALL Hawaii legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2025-26 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2024-25 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2025 session.