Hawaii House Bill HB1043

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25

Caption

Relating To Funding Adjustments For State Programs.

Summary

HB1043 is a governor-requested measure that makes emergency appropriations and related funding adjustments for state programs for fiscal year 2024-2025. The bill explains that earlier budget acts had allowed departments to transfer money between programs with notice to the Legislature, but that proviso was repealed and not restored in later appropriations acts. According to the bill, that change created a funding emergency because departments no longer have the same flexibility to shift funds to meet changing operating needs. To address that problem, the bill appropriates additional general funds as emergency appropriations to cover anticipated third-quarter operating shortfalls in existing programs and to realign funding with expected levels of activity. The measure states that the adjustments are budget neutral, meaning the added appropriations are offset by commensurate reductions elsewhere rather than increasing overall spending. The bill is intended to take effect immediately upon approval.

Impact

HB1043 would amend the state’s fiscal year 2024-2025 appropriations framework by revising Act 164 (2023), as amended by Act 230 (2024), to provide emergency operating funds and rebalance program-level appropriations. Its practical effect is to give state departments additional budget authority to address shortfalls caused by the loss of prior transfer flexibility, while keeping total funding neutral through offsetting reductions. The bill affects state budget administration, departmental operating programs, and the allocation of general funds across agencies and programs.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally supportive and urgent in tone. It is framed as a governor-recommended measure for immediate passage, and the bill text characterizes the situation as a critical funding emergency requiring prompt legislative action. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no additional evidence of opposition or debate in the available materials.

Contention

The main issue underlying the bill is the elimination of a prior budget proviso that allowed departments to transfer funds between programs. Supporters of HB1043 view the loss of that flexibility as creating an operational funding emergency that must be corrected through emergency appropriations and funding adjustments. Potential points of contention are likely to involve the balance between legislative control over appropriations and executive/departmental flexibility, as well as whether emergency appropriations are the appropriate remedy for shortfalls that stem from budget structure changes rather than new program demands. However, no specific objections or named opponents appear in the provided record.