THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2635

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that one of the primary responsibilities of the department of Hawaiian home lands in serving its beneficiaries is to effectively manage its homesteading program and efficiently administer a reduction in the applicant waiting list.  As of June 2024, over 47,000 applicants remained on the waiting list for residential, agricultural, and pastoral leases.  In an effort to shorten the applicant waiting list, the legislature included a $600,000,000 appropriation in Act 279, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022.  The department of Hawaiian home lands has indicated that it is on track to expend the full amount of that appropriation on schedule and requires additional funds to develop new homestead communities and further address the waiting list.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of Hawaiian home lands to address the applicant waiting list.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of Hawaiian home lands for:

     (1)  The development of lots or units;

     (2)  The purchase of available land or units;

     (3)  The provision of funding for an applicant on the waiting list or qualified relative of the applicant similar to the qualified relative of a lessee as referenced in section 208(5) of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended, who do not own a principal residence to purchase;

     (4)  The provisions of a mortgage or rental subsidy to the applicant on the waiting list for the applicant's principal residence in the State; and

     (5)  Other services as necessary to address the waiting list.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of Hawaiian home lands for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

 

Report Title:

DHHL; Waiting List; Beneficiaries; Beneficiary List; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for the development or purchase of land or units, for mortgage or rental subsidies, and other services necessary to address the waiting list.  (SD1)

 

 

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