STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2298

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2668

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2668 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services to issue supplemental contracts to community-based organizations to address increases in costs related to labor, insurance, utilities, rent, and gas.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Parents and Children Together; Hale Kipa; The Hawaiʻi True Cost Coalition; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Hina Mauka; Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Domestic Violence Action Center; Goodwill Hawaii; Adult Friends for Youth; Partners in Development Foundation; Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; The Institute for Human Services, Inc.; Hawaiʻi Community Foundation; AlohaCare; Lanakila Pacific; Aloha United Way; and six individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and State Procurement Office.

Your Committee finds that the cost of doing business in the State has risen dramatically, while state contract funding has not kept pace. Your Committee further finds that many community-based organizations are facing unprecedented increases in labor costs; insurance premiums; and costs for utilities, rent, and fuel. This measure helps to preserve community-based organizations' capacity to deliver essential human services to the State's residents.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2668 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair