STAND. COM. REP. NO. 123-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1596

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1596 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STUDENT BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the University of Hawaii, at a campus designated by the University, to establish a Basic Needs Pilot Program and to allow the University to establish a Housing Stability Pilot Project at that campus.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Oʻahu Youth Action Board; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the findings from the UH Landscape Assessment of Student Basic Needs Insecurity published in 2025, demonstrate that food insecurity, housing instability, and limited access to public benefits remain significant and interrelated barriers to student success. These challenges are associated with lower retention, delated completion, and increased likelihood of stop-out or withdrawal. This measure implements a data-informed and measured approach by authorizing a single-campus pilot program that integrates benefits navigation, coordinated outreach, and targeted housing stability support.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the number of positions to an unspecified number;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider one to be the appropriate number of full-time equivalent benefits navigator positions.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1596, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1596, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,

____________________________

ANDREW TAKUYA GARRETT, Chair