STAND. COM. REP. NO. 778-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1838

H.D. 2

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. 1838, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VISAS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U and T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas;

(2) Require each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U and T visa certifications, consistent with the statewide requirements; and

(3) Require, and appropriate funds for, the Department of the Attorney General to provide training to certifying entities and certifying officials on all federal and state requirements for U and T visa certifications.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights; The Legal Clinic; Hawaiʻi Coalition for Civil Rights; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee notes the testimony by The Legal Clinic, which requested that certain language from the H.D. 1 version of this measure be reinstated. Specifically, The Legal Clinic requested reinstatement of language recognizing state courts and judges as U and T visa certifiers, as this is consistent with federal law. Your Committee requests that, as this measure moves through the legislative process, further consideration be given to this matter.

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. 1838, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair