This Senate Resolution asks state agencies to use bi-level lighting systems in all new state buildings starting January 1, 2027. Bi-level lighting adjusts brightness based on motion detection to reduce energy waste from lights staying on at full intensity. The resolution directs copies to various state officials and agencies responsible for construction and facility management. This measure aims to promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact through a specific building design requirement.
Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications that include changing the method for computation of interest for purchasers of certain real property. Expands the use of proceeds in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to include purchasing equity in for-sale housing development projects and interim primary or secondary financing. Exempts disbursements from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund from appropriation and allotment requirements. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
This Senate Concurrent 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. This review aims to identify inconsistencies in emergency procurement practices and provide recommendations for potential legal reforms. The Auditor must submit findings and suggestions to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Department of Education to fulfill its contractual obligations to doctoral-level educational psychology stipend recipients by establishing and funding appropriate Educational Psychologist positions. The bill asks the department to provide a detailed report on the number of program participants, existing positions, and how current job classifications align with the doctoral training and licensure requirements originally promised. It specifically seeks clarification on whether Mental Health Interventionist roles adequately reflect the specialized education and skills of these professionals, and requests a plan to expand positions statewide to meet both student mental health needs and workforce commitments. The resolution aims to ensure fiscal accountability and fairness to professionals who made multi-year service agreements based on specific job classifications and placement guarantees.
This bill urges Hawaii's county governments to eliminate real property taxes by conducting fiscal analyses and exploring alternative revenue sources to maintain essential services. It directly affects homeowners, renters, small businesses, and long-term residents by calling for a reduction in the financial burden caused by rising property valuations and high living costs. The resolution does not mandate tax elimination but encourages counties to evaluate the feasibility of phasing out these taxes while ensuring public safety, infrastructure, and community facilities remain adequately funded.
This Hawaii House Resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 2687, the End Kidney Deaths Act, which would create a federal tax credit system to encourage living kidney donations to strangers. The bill aims to address kidney disease disparities affecting rural and low-income communities by increasing the number of available organ donors through financial incentives for non-directed donations. The resolution highlights that kidney transplantation is more effective than dialysis for saving lives and reducing long-term healthcare costs, while noting that existing donor protections remain in place. This measure is presented as a bipartisan effort to expand access to life-saving transplants and reduce the number of patients waiting for kidneys.
This bill requests the Hawaii Attorney General and State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive audit of nonprofit organizations that receive state funding for homelessness-related services. The audit will examine financial records, performance outcomes, and compliance with state laws, focusing initially on organizations in Honolulu before expanding statewide. Key areas of review include how funds are spent, executive compensation levels, service effectiveness, and the accuracy of reported client data. The resolution aims to ensure transparency and fiscal responsibility in the use of public funds dedicated to addressing homelessness.
This House Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to help public high schools create foundations that provide scholarships and financial aid to graduates while also supporting the schools themselves. The bill directs the department to offer a statewide program that guides school foundation organizers through complex tasks like setting up nonprofit status, writing charters and bylaws, and managing finances and technology. It specifically aims to help schools that currently lack these foundations, building on earlier legislative efforts from 2012 that saw limited progress. The resolution clarifies that the Department of Education would assist with setup but would not oversee or manage the foundations once they are established.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to create a system that assigns responsibility for monitoring school construction and repair projects to local complex area leaders. Under this proposed framework, Complex Area Superintendents and their staff would track project progress from planning through completion, coordinate with school leaders to address needs, and submit quarterly reports on budget and timeline status to the state Office of Facilities and Operations. The Office of Facilities and Operations would keep overall management authority while providing technical assistance and reviewing the local reports to ensure projects stay on schedule and within budget. The Department of Education would also be required to develop clear procedures defining roles and responsibilities, and submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027 outlining the new framework and any recommendations for further action.
This bill proposes changes to the 2027 state budget for two departments: Land and Natural Resources and Agriculture and Biosecurity. It directs the legislature to approve additional funding for specific projects, including $3 million for land management activities like hazardous material cleanup and debris removal, and $28.8 million for improvements to the Wahiawa Dam. The legislation also adds $4 million for environmental testing and remediation work at Lake Wilson to address contamination and protect public health. These adjustments update the executive supplemental budget requests to reflect new financial needs for these state programs.
