SB 1081 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE.

Summary

Requires the Department of Budget and Finance to conduct a feasibility study on the associated costs of establishing and implementing a Legislative Budget Office. Requires a report to the Legislature. Repeals the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Office of the Legislative Analyst. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1081 → SB1081_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift from immediately establishing a Legislative Budget Office to requiring the Department of Budget and Finance to first conduct a feasibility study on the costs and implementation of such an office. The original text establishing the office, appointing a director, and appropriating funds for its immediate operation has been removed and replaced with requirements for a study report due in 2027. Additionally, the bill's effective date was changed to a future date of January 1, 2491, likely as a placeholder or error during the amendment process.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from creating an active legislative body to mandating a preliminary study by the executive branch to determine if creating that body is feasible.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the immediate establishment of the Legislative Budget Office, the appointment of a director, and the hiring of staff.

Added a requirement for the Department of Budget and Finance to conduct a feasibility study on the costs and implementation of a Legislative Budget Office.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from July 1, 2025, to January 1, 2491.

FISCAL

Modified the appropriation language to fund the feasibility study rather than the immediate operation of the new office.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM/JDC.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 318) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM/JDC.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard, Fevella.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to GVO, WAM/JDC.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors