This bill proposes emergency funding to cover unpaid arbitration awards related to temporary hazard pay for public employees in Collective Bargaining Units 1 and 10, which include blue collar workers and institutional, health, and correctional workers. The legislation directs the state to allocate approximately $67.3 million from general funds, interdepartmental transfers, and revolving funds to resolve outstanding financial obligations from pandemic-era hazard pay disputes. These additional appropriations supplement existing funding from Act 29 of 2025 and apply to the University of Hawaii and other state executive branch departments, though the Department of Education remains excluded as its matters are still unresolved. The bill includes standard provisions for fund allotment and specifies that any unspent money must be returned to the state treasury by June 30, 2026.
This bill urges the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission to take additional steps to ensure candidate committees fully comply with state campaign finance laws. The resolution specifically requests the commission to conduct automatic audits of committees spending over $500,000, subsidize independent audit costs, and create clear rules defining what constitutes a defective campaign report. It also asks the commission to offer more frequent training sessions outside normal business hours to accommodate volunteer campaign workers. The bill does not create new laws or impose new requirements but instead encourages the commission to use its existing authority to improve compliance through audits, clearer guidelines, and better training opportunities.
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.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on March 20, 2026, provides state funding to cover the operating expenses of Hawaii's legislature, auditor's office, legislative reference bureau, ombudsman, and ethics commission for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation allocates approximately $13 million to the Senate and $17.8 million to the House of Representatives for session and non-session expenses, including costs for legislative information systems and public broadcasting of legislative proceedings. It also funds the auditor's office with nearly $4 million for regular operations and special studies, while establishing rules for interim expense approvals and requiring financial audits to be completed before January 20, 2027.
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 that all state agencies install bi-level lighting systems in new state buildings and facilities starting January 1, 2027. Bi-level lighting uses motion sensors to adjust brightness based on occupancy, reducing energy waste compared to traditional systems that stay at full intensity. The resolution directs the House of Representatives to send copies to various state officials, including the Governor and agency directors, to implement this energy-saving measure.
This bill is a House Concurrent Resolution that expresses appreciation for law enforcement officers in Hawaii and calls for increased support for them. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as a formal statement of recognition and encouragement for police officers who protect communities. The resolution highlights the challenges officers face, including high rates of trauma, suicide, and staffing shortages, while urging government leaders to provide better equipment, training, and mental health resources. Copies of the resolution will be sent to state and local police chiefs as a gesture of support.
This bill urges the Governor of Hawaii to reconsider the decision not to allow the state to participate in the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit Program. The program would provide federal tax credits of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship organizations, which could then be used to fund scholarships for K-12 students from low- and middle-income households. By opting in, Hawaii would enable families to use these funds for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational support services without reducing public school funding. The resolution requests that the state designate local scholarship organizations to receive donations, thereby expanding educational options for Hawaii students.
This House Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to help public high schools create foundations that provide scholarships and financial aid to graduates while also supporting school funding needs. The bill aims to assist schools in navigating the complex process of establishing nonprofit organizations by offering guidance on legal requirements, financial management, and technology needs. It specifically asks the department to create a statewide resource development program to help school organizers overcome barriers to foundation establishment, though the Department of Education would not oversee the foundations once they are created. The resolution highlights that only a few schools currently have such foundations and seeks to expand this support across the state.
This bill is a state-level resolution from Hawaii urging the U.S. Congress to provide taxpayer relief for households affected by tariff-related cost increases. It asks Congress to acknowledge the economic harm caused by federal tariff policies, particularly in Hawaii where residents face higher costs due to reliance on imported goods. The resolution requests that Congress consider enacting legislation to offer rebates or financial benefits to offset these increased expenses, with special attention to low-income families and neighbor island communities. It also calls for Congress to reaffirm its constitutional authority over taxation and trade to prevent similar economic impacts in the future.
