STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2767

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2545

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2545, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal from Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, the June 30, 2027, deadline for the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home and to instead require the transfer to be completed as soon as practicable.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the State of Hawaii Department of Defense, Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and five individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Oahu Region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

Your Committee finds that Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024 (Act 99), requires the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home to the Oahu Regional Health Care System or a state agency having a Maui affiliation by June 27, 2027. However, your Committee recognizes that the transfer is highly complex due to logistical, labor relations, and financial issues. Your Committee believes that this measure's repeal of the specific deadline is appropriate and will help ensure that the intent of Act 99 is properly achieved.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2545, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair