Relating To The Budget Of The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs.
Summary
HB410 is the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Appropriations Act of 2025. It provides operating appropriations for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) for the fiscal biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. The bill specifically funds one program line item, OHA175 Beneficiary Advocacy Operating, with $3,000,000 in general funds and $3,000,000 in trust funds in each fiscal year of the biennium.
The measure also sets out standard budget-act provisions defining means of financing, position ceilings, and program IDs, and it includes severability language, authority for OHA’s board of trustees to correct clerical or mechanical errors, and an effective date of July 1, 2025. As a budget bill, it does not create a new regulatory program; instead, it authorizes spending and establishes the funding level and related administrative rules for OHA’s beneficiary advocacy operations.
Impact
HB410 directly affects state appropriations law by authorizing specific biennial funding for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and limiting expenditures to the amounts and funding sources stated in the act. It appropriates both general funds and trust funds for OHA’s beneficiary advocacy operating expenses, thereby supporting OHA’s advocacy services for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries during fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The bill also reinforces budget controls through position ceilings and other appropriation conditions.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests broad and consistent support for the bill. It passed the Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee unanimously, then advanced through Senate Ways and Means with amendments by a strong vote, and later passed both House and Senate conference votes without any dissenting votes. No committee transcripts were provided, but the recorded votes indicate a generally favorable view of funding OHA’s operating budget.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the available record. The only notable legislative activity was amendment during the Ways and Means and conference stages, which suggests discussion over the final budget language or funding structure rather than opposition to the appropriation itself. Because no transcripts are available, specific disagreements are not documented, but any issues likely centered on the amount, funding mix, or budget mechanics for OHA rather than the purpose of the appropriation.