SB 963 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Summary

Requires the Department of Human Services to: (1) Prorate or exclude certain income from household members who are ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in determining SNAP household eligibility and benefit levels; (2) Establish a standardized medical expense deduction option for elderly or disabled household members who incur medical expenses above the federal minimum threshold; (3) Establish a pre-release SNAP application process for individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled for release; and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Specifies that the restriction under federal law prohibiting individuals convicted of certain drug-related felonies from receiving SNAP benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits does not apply in Hawaii. Repeals treatment compliance requirements for TANF benefits. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

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

SB963 → SB963_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

SB 963 was updated to reflect its status as Senate Bill 1 (SD1) for the 2025 session, changing administrative details and formatting. The core policy content remains largely the same, though the bill description was expanded to explicitly mention the repeal of federal drug felony bans and treatment compliance requirements for TANF benefits.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; it continues to govern the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in Hawaii.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill identifier from 'HB' to 'SD1' and changed the bill type from 'Bill' to 'Bill SD'.

Updated metadata including revision numbers, page counts, and template versions to reflect the Senate version.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from 'upon approval' to 'December 31, 2050'.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the bill description to clarify that it repeals federal restrictions prohibiting individuals convicted of drug felonies from receiving benefits and removes treatment compliance requirements for TANF.

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 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 644) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 01-29-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors