STAND. COM. REP. NO. 997-26

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 Finance, 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:

(1) Require and appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to establish a Basic Needs Pilot Program at a campus designated by the University;

(2) Require and appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to conduct an annual student basic needs survey to assess housing instability, food security, transportation access, and awareness and use of available basic needs resources; and

(3) Authorize and appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to establish a Housing Stability Pilot Project at the designated campus to provide targeted support to students experiencing housing instability.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Aloha United Way; University of Hawaiʻi Student Caucus; and Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance 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 pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair