HB 1913 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

Summary

Establishes within the Office of Veterans' Services a mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center. Provides that the mental health coordinator is appointed by and reports directly to the Director of the Office of Veterans' Services. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB1913 → HB1913_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift the focus of a new mental health coordinator position from the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home to the Office of Veterans' Services at Tripler Army Medical Center. This change expands the program's scope from serving only residents of a specific facility to providing mental health services for veterans statewide. The amendment also updates the effective date to July 1, 3000, and clarifies that the coordinator reports directly to the director.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a localized program for the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home to a statewide initiative supporting veterans through the Office of Veterans' Services at Tripler Army Medical Center.

SCOPE

The location and target population changed from the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home to the Office of Veterans' Services at Tripler Army Medical Center to support veterans statewide.

REQUIREMENT

The mental health coordinator's reporting structure was updated to require direct reporting to the director of the Office of Veterans' Services.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 3000.

DEFINITION

The legislative findings were broadened to describe mental health conditions affecting veterans generally rather than specifically those residing at the State Veterans Home.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 551-26), recommending referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Marten, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Olds.

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 44-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to HLT.

lower

Feb 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Morikawa, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ichiyama.

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to PBS, HLT, FIN, referral sheet 3

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors