STAND. COM. REP. NO. 474-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1982

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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1982, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for certain geothermal resource exploration and development activities and the hiring of consultants.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Hoʻomana Pono, LLC; and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Na Wai Hoʻola Nui Laʻau Lapaʻau Foundation; Truth for the People; Kūpuna for the Moʻopuna; Kiaʻi Iwi Alakaʻi; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure provides follow-up funding to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to continue geothermal resource exploration activities. Your Committee further finds that continued investment in geothermal exploration on Hawaiian home lands will allow the Department to make informed decisions regarding the potential development of renewable energy resources in a manner that supports long-term energy sustainability and advances the interests of beneficiaries.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to engage in consultation with beneficiaries of Hawaiian home lands regarding activities funded by this measure and to comply with the environmental impact statements law; and

(2) 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 an appropriation amount of $5,000,000 for certain geothermal resource exploration and development activities and the hiring of consultants.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1982, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1982, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair