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.
This Senate Resolution asks the State Auditor to review the Department of Education's list of unfinished school construction and renovation projects. The audit will examine how much money has been spent on each project, why some are delayed or over budget, and how much additional funding is needed to finish them. The goal is to provide a clear picture of the state's school infrastructure needs and suggest ways to manage future projects more effectively. The Auditor must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.
This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally supports the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group's request for additional funding and an extended timeline to complete its work through fiscal year 2026-2027. The resolution acknowledges the group's role in protecting Native Hawaiian cultural and traditional knowledge from misappropriation and recognizes the need for more time to conduct community consultations that reflect Native Hawaiian perspectives. By approving this request, the legislature affirms its commitment to honoring the state's constitutional duty to preserve Native Hawaiian rights and cultural assets. The measure does not create new laws or programs but serves as an official endorsement of the working group's operational needs.
This Senate Resolution requests that Hawaii's Board of Education work with the Department of Education to make completing a standalone financial literacy course a graduation requirement for public high school students. The bill specifically asks for a formal vote to approve this requirement, teacher professional development credits, identification of funding sources, tracking of student completion, and a curriculum plan based on community input. It argues that a dedicated course is more effective than integrating financial literacy into other subjects or the Personal Transition Plan, citing evidence that financial skills improve with focused instruction. The resolution reflects concerns about declining financial literacy among younger generations and the potential long-term benefits of ensuring all students receive practical financial education.
This Senate Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct an audit of 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 is asked to review these practices to identify potential reforms and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure does not change existing laws but instead seeks oversight and transparency regarding emergency procurement processes.
This bill is a Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution that urges the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 2687, known as the End Kidney Deaths Act. The resolution highlights that kidney disease disproportionately affects people of color and that many Hawaii residents currently rely on dialysis with hundreds dying annually due to limited access to transplants. The proposed federal legislation would create regulated, refundable tax credits for individuals who donate a kidney to a stranger, aiming to increase the number of living donors and reduce kidney-related deaths. The bill emphasizes that living donation is already highly regulated with safeguards for donor safety and notes that transplants can save lives while reducing long-term healthcare costs.
This bill proposes amendments to Hawaii's 2027 supplemental budget for four state departments, adjusting funding levels and staffing plans to reflect updated operational needs. It adds money to support healthcare cost-sharing, land management and cleanup projects, airport security and workforce programs, and highway safety enforcement technology. The document also reallocates certain positions and funds between departments to better align resources with specific program goals, while withdrawing some previously requested amounts for speed enforcement systems.
