Hawaii Bills

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

GM 1116: Informing the Legislature that on May 19, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2694 SD2 HD2 CD1 (ACT 016).

This bill directs Hawaii's regulatory commission to create automatic rate adjustment mechanisms for water carriers to address inflation and other economic factors. Under the new rules, carriers must apply these adjustments annually for three-year periods, with a cap of five percent per year, while exempting customers receiving preferential agricultural water rates. The legislation also requires carriers to submit standard rate applications every third year regardless of whether they are seeking rate changes.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 93: CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT ARTS AND CULTURE ENGAGEMENT AND RELATED INITIATIVES.

This Senate Resolution creates a working group to study how Hawaii could establish a state-recognized nonprofit organization to support arts and culture programs. The group will examine successful models from other states, review governance structures, and develop recommendations for a nonprofit that could host artist residencies and educational initiatives. The working group will include representatives from relevant legislative committees and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and must submit its findings to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create the nonprofit itself but sets up a process to determine how such an organization could be structured and funded.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 88: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED SUPPORT AND STABILIZATION PATHWAY FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR EXTREMELY LOW INCOME.

This Senate Resolution requests the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to create a coordinated support system for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries who are homeless or living on extremely low incomes. The bill directs these agencies to assess how many eligible individuals are affected, identify gaps in current housing assistance, and explore options like transitional housing models on trust lands. It also requires the agencies to evaluate funding sources, partner with nonprofit organizations, and ensure all plans comply with the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. The agencies must submit a report to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session outlining their findings and recommendations for a pilot program.

Topics ✓ Housing

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SCR 99: CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT ARTS AND CULTURE ENGAGEMENT AND RELATED INITIATIVES.

This bill convenes a working group to study how Hawaii could create a state-recognized nonprofit organization to support arts and culture initiatives. The group will examine successful models from other states, analyze governance structures, and develop recommendations for a nonprofit that could host artist residencies and educational programs. Members will include committee chairs, representatives from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and subject matter experts. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature within 20 days before the start of the 2027 and 2028 sessions.

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 68: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF NO-BID CONTRACTS ISSUED BY STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES UNDER PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING STATES OF EMERGENCY DURING THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2020, AND DECEMBER 31, 2025.

This Senate Resolution requests the State Auditor to review no-bid contracts issued by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will examine how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods. The Auditor will submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session. This measure aims to identify potential reforms to emergency procurement laws based on past practices.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SCR 74: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF NO-BID CONTRACTS ISSUED BY STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES UNDER PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING STATES OF EMERGENCY DURING THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2020, AND DECEMBER 31, 2025.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the State Auditor to examine no-bid contracts awarded by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will review how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods when normal procurement rules may be suspended. The Auditor will submit findings and recommendations, including potential legislative changes, to the Legislature before the 2027 session. This measure directly affects state and county agencies that have issued emergency contracts and aims to ensure transparency in how public money is spent during crises.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 45: SUPPORTING THE USE OF THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND TO FUND PREDEVELOPMENT COSTS FOR ANY GOVERNMENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT THROUGH INTERIM LOANS TO EXPEDITE THE DELIVERY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO HAWAII'S RESIDENTS.

This Senate Resolution supports using the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to provide interim loans for predevelopment costs on government affordable housing projects in Hawaii. The measure aims to help cover expenses like site analysis, design work, environmental assessments, and permit preparation before construction begins. These loans would be repaid by developers through the project's permanent financing once construction is underway. The resolution directs copies to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and its Board of Directors for their consideration.

Topics ✓ Housing