STAND. COM. REP. NO. 529-26

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 Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1596, H.D. 1, 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; Aloha United Way; and Hawaii Food+ Policy.

Your Committee finds that basic needs insecurity, including housing instability, food insecurity, and limited access to essential supports, significantly affects student persistence, academic progress, and overall wellbeing within the University of Hawaii System. This measure establishes a pilot program on a single campus to evaluate whether targeted basic‑needs support improves student outcomes before consideration of systemwide expansion.

Your Committee notes that this measure currently contains an unspecified appropriation amount. Your Committee has requested information regarding the appropriation amount necessary for the University of Hawaii to fulfill the requirements of this measure and once received, will pass this information along as this measure moves through the legislative process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1596, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair