STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2749

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2809

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. 2809 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BUDGET-RELATED REPORTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the relevance and accuracy of certain budget-related reports.

Specifically, this measure requires the Governor to ensure that the Governor's program memoranda and variance reports accurately reflect the current responsibilities of state programs, address the current and future needs of the State, and align with budget-related submittals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that ensuring that the data in budget‑related reports is accurate will allow the Legislature to confirm that state programs are using public money efficiently and effectively. Your Committee further finds that designating the Governor as the official who must ensure the accuracy of reported data will increase accountability in state budgeting.

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. 2809 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