HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THE THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION OF 2026
|
Rep. Chris Todd, Chair |
|
Rep. Jenna Takenouchi, Vice Chair |
|
Rep. Daisy Hartsfield |
Rep. Dee Morikawa |
|
Rep. Ikaika Hussey |
Rep. Amy A. Perruso |
|
Rep. Sue L. Keohokapu-Lee Loy |
Rep. Shirley Ann Templo |
|
Rep. Lisa Kitagawa |
Rep. Kyle T. Yamashita |
|
Rep. Matthias Kusch |
Rep. David Alcos III |
|
Rep. Mike Lee |
Rep. Joe Gedeon |
|
Rep. Tyson K. Miyake |
Rep. Julie Reyes Oda |
NOTICE OF HEARING
|
DATE: |
Thursday, February 26, 2026 |
|
TIME: |
2:00 p.m. |
|
PLACE: |
VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE Conference Room 308 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street |
Click here to submit testimony and to testify remotely or in person.
A live stream link of all House Standing Committee meetings will be available online
shortly before the scheduled start time.
Click here for the live stream of this meeting via YouTube.
A G E N D A #2
|
RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY. Establishes and appropriates funds in the form of grants for the Hawaii Farm to Families Program under the Department of Human Services to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature before the Regular Sessions of 2027 and 2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
HSH, AGR, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD. Requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the health care communication needs of patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind. Requires a report to the Legislature twenty days prior to the 2027 Regular Session. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
HSH/HLT, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO AN INTENSIVE MOBILE TEAM PILOT PROGRAM FOR HOUSELESS INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM SERIOUS BRAIN DISORDERS. Establishes and appropriates funds for a pilot program in the Department of Health to provide intensive mobile treatment-type services to chronically houseless individuals suffering from serious brain disorders like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
HSH/HLT, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. By 1/1/2028, requires the Department of Human Services, upon obtaining a federal waiver, to establish a pre-release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process for inmates nearing release. Allows all individuals convicted of an offense involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance to apply for SNAP benefits, regardless of treatment status. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
HSH, PBS, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE. Establishes a three-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program within the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to assist individuals who have lost Medicaid health insurance coverage and lack access to other health insurance options. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to issue premium subsidies in certain circumstances. Requires reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
HSH, CPC, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO TAXATION. Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
|
HSH, ECD, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES. Establishes the Hawaii Benefits Hub within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services. Expands the responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer to include collaboration on the development and implementation of a statewide portal to government services. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
HSH, ECD, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO MEDICAID. Requires the Department of Human Services to allow a full earned income disregard for individuals with disabilities who are between the ages of sixteen and sixty-four years when determining eligibility for Medicaid. Takes effect upon approval by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
HSH, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO CHILD WELFARE SERVICES. Appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to contract with one or more organizations specializing in domestic violence to provide training and on-site staff in Child Welfare Services Branch offices to support all aspects of screening for and addressing domestic violence within a case. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
HSH, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO KUPUNA HOUSING. Repeals the sunset for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna. Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna and for positions to support the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
HSH, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO YOUTH HOMELESSNESS. Requires the Office of Youth Services to establish a five-year Youth Housing Stability Assistance Pilot Program to enter into contracts with nonprofit organizations or execute memoranda of agreement with government agencies to support eligible youth with financial assistance. Appropriates funds. (HD1)
|
HSH, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO TAX CREDITS. Establishes a refundable diaper tax credit. (HD1)
|
HSH, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION. Authorizes state agencies to implement automatic voter registration if designated by the Office of Elections. Requires eligible applicants for instruction permits, provisional licenses, driver's licenses, and identification cards to be automatically registered or preregistered to vote unless the applicant opts out. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
HSH, JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY'S ‘ŌLELO HAWAI‘I INITIATIVES. Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to support the Olelo Hawaii Initiatives. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS. Allows a party aggrieved by the judgment of a circuit court on a minimum term order to appeal to the Intermediate Appellate Court. Requires prisoners to continue to be represented by counsel in any petition challenging minimum term proceedings. Requires the Supreme Court to establish rules. Establishes grounds for challenging a minimum term order. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS. Requires disclosure of the names of compensated officers, and their immediate family members, of state contractors with contracts exceeding the small purchase threshold established under the Hawaii Public Procurement Code and grantees with grants exceeding $250,000. Prohibits the compensated officers of state contractors, and their immediate family members, from making, promising, or soliciting certain campaign contributions for the duration of the contract exceeding the small purchase threshold. Prohibits state grantees, including compensated officers and their immediate family members, from making, promising, or soliciting certain contributions for the duration of the grant exceeding $250,000. Requires unlawful contributions to be returned to the contributor or escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO ELECTIONS. Appropriates funds to: (1) the counties for more voter service centers for in-person voting; (2) the Office of Elections to print and mail the digital voter information guide to all registered voters; and (3) the Office of Elections to support a public outreach and engagement campaign to encourage greater voter participation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO THE ʻŌLELO HAWAIʻI COMMISSION. Establishes and appropriates funds for the ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Commission to coordinate and promote initiatives that support the use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Sunsets 12/2/2030. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS. Increases the expenditure limit and the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all elective offices. Adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying contributions certain candidates must receive to participate in the program. Increases the matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions. Appropriates funds for the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION'S ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM. Requires designated campaign finance documents to be submitted electronically through the Campaign Spending Commission's upgraded electronic filing system. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION. Appropriates funds to the Judiciary for the efficient processing of temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct public awareness campaigns on gun violence protective orders. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY. Appropriates supplemental funds for the Judiciary for the fiscal biennium beginning 7/1/2025 and ending 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE, ITS OFFICERS, OR ITS EMPLOYEES. Makes appropriations and approves payments for claims against the State, its officers, and its employees. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO THE EXPENDITURE CEILING ON THE AUTOMATED VICTIM INFORMATION AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM SPECIAL FUND. Repeals the $600,000 annual expenditure ceiling on the Automated Victim Information and Notification System Special Fund to address rising program costs and growing victim service demands. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920. Amends the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, to include sibling's children as qualifying relatives of lessees for the purposes of lease transfer and lease successorship, in the same manner currently allowed for spouses, children, grandchildren, and siblings. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO DUE PROCESS FOR ESTABLISHING PERSONAL LIABILITY FOR TAX. Provides that a determination of personal liability for another person's unpaid general excise taxes is an assessment subject to the due process procedures and appeals available for other assessments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
RELATING TO THE PUBLIC LAND TRUST. Temporarily increases the total amount of public land trust revenues transferred to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, while reaffirming the State's obligation to the twenty per cent pro rata share pursuant to the Hawaii State Constitution. Repeals 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
|
JHA, FIN |
|
|
|
|
|
DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW
Persons wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. Testimony received after this time will be stamped late and left to the discretion of the chair to consider. While every effort will be made to incorporate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed, may not be processed.
Testimony submitted will be placed on the legislative website. This public posting of testimony on the website should be considered when including personal information in your testimony.
The chair may institute a per-testifier time limit.
Committees meeting in the morning must adjourn prior to the day's Floor Session. Therefore, due to time constraints, not all testifiers may be provided an opportunity to offer verbal comments. However, written submissions will be considered by the committee.
Please refrain from profanity or uncivil behavior. Violations may result in ejection from the hearing without the ability to rejoin.
For remote testifiers, the House will not be responsible for bad connections on the testifier's end.
For general help navigating the committee hearing process, please contact the Public Access Room at (808) 587-0478 or par@capitol.hawaii.gov.
The livestream and/or cable TV broadcast of this meeting will include closed captioning. If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation (including oral, written, or ASL interpretive services) or are unable to submit testimony via the website due to a disability, please contact the committee clerk at 586-6200. Requests made as early as possible have a greater likelihood of being fulfilled.
Click here for a complete list of House Guidelines for remote testimony.
FOR AMENDED NOTICES: Measures that have been deleted are stricken through and measures that have been added are bolded.
For more information, please contact the Committee Clerk at (808) 586-6200.
|
|
|
________________________________________ Rep. Chris Todd Chair |
|
|
|
|