Department of Taxation
Administrative Rules
What This Board Does
Administrative rules are legally binding regulations adopted by Hawaii state agencies to implement statutes passed by the Legislature, filling in operational details that laws do not specify. Agencies must follow a formal rulemaking process under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 91, including public notice and a public hearing before rules take effect. Rules govern everything from food safety standards to professional licensing requirements.
Why You Should Care
Administrative rules directly regulate daily life in Hawaii — what businesses must do to comply with health codes, what standards professionals must meet, and what procedures agencies must follow. Residents have a legal right to testify at rulemaking hearings and to challenge rules that exceed statutory authority.