STAND. COM. REP. NO. 952-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2398

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. 2398, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIBRARIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Clarify that the Board of Education, through the State Librarian, has exclusive authority over the development, use, support, and improvement and maintenance of public library system facilities; and

(2) Allow the Board of Education to authorize the State Librarian to exercise exclusive control of certain land for development or expansion of a public library system facility and, if authorized, require the Department of Education to expeditiously cooperate with the State Librarian and Hawaii State Public Library System to effectuate the development or expansion project.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Education. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Education.

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. 2398, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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CHRIS TODD, Chair