Government Operations

Increases the expenditure ceiling and appropriates funds out of the State Risk Management Revolving Fund to distribute property and liability insurance proceeds related to the 2023 Maui wildfires to be expended by the School Facilities Authority, Department of Transportation, and Department of Land and Natural Resources to rebuild and restore certain state facilities in Lahaina. Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to submit to the Legislature a master coordinated project plan developed in collaboration with certain state agencies and in consultation with the County of Maui and other relevant entities. Requires the Department of Education to transfer exclusive site control over the new King Kamehameha III Elementary School property to the SFA while the School is under construction. Requires DAGS to transfer to the SFA any materials deemed necessary for the construction of the School and to provide further support as necessary upon request. Requires the SFA to submit monthly progress reports to the Governor and Legislature. Allows the Governor to transfer certain authorities and responsibilities from the SFA to another state agency under certain conditions. Requires full funding for the projects for which funds are appropriated to be available before expenditure. (CD1)

Requires purchasing agencies to apply a five per cent flat rate local preference in evaluating bids or proposals from qualified Hawaii bidders or offerors who submit a timely preference certification. Establishes criteria for a bid or proposal to qualify for a local preference. Establishes requirements for the qualification and certification of Hawaii bidders and offerors and consequences for failure to maintain qualification. Requires the Procurement Policy Board to adopt rules. (CD1)

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.

This bill requests the Department of Accounting and General Services to create a working group to study and improve how state projects get county building permits. The group will include representatives from various state agencies and county officials to research delays and suggest ways to streamline the process. Members must submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by 2028, which could lead to new laws if needed. This resolution does not change any laws immediately but sets up a study to address permit delays affecting state projects.

This Senate Resolution requests the Department of Accounting and General Services to form a working group to study delays in state building permit approvals from county departments. The bill directly affects state agencies and county permitting offices by establishing a collaborative group to investigate why state projects face long approval times. The working group will include representatives from various state departments and county officials to explore ways to streamline permitting processes specifically for state projects. Members must submit their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by 2028, potentially including proposed legislation to address the identified issues.