STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2557

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2799

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2799 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, to submit a report on the plan for the transfer of powers and duties of the Kalaupapa Settlement prior to the Regular Session of 2027.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Sovereign Council of the Hawaiian Homestead Associations Molokai Mokupuni, CARES, and six individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Ka ʻOhana O Kalaupapa.

Your Committees find that under existing law, the County of Kalawao is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health, however, other state agencies, such as the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, have land ownership interest within Kalawao County. Your Committees further find that a plan for the transfer of powers and duties regarding the Kalaupapa Settlement is urgently needed in preparation for the passing of the few resident patients remaining there. This measure requires a report to ensure that all relevant state agencies with a stake in the Kalaupapa Settlement continue the necessary discussions on the plan for the transfer of powers and duties of the Kalaupapa Settlement.

Your Committees request the Department of Health to include in this measure's report, the Kalaupapa Transition Interagency Working Group's timeline, proposed budget, and proposed procedures.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services, Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2799 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services, Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, and Hawaiian Affairs,

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair	________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair
	________________________________ HERBERT M. RICHARDS, III, Chair