Hawaii House Bill HB2275

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/26
• Refer: 1/30/26
• Report Pass: 3/6/26
• Engrossed: 3/10/26
• Refer: 3/12/26
• Report Pass: 4/9/26
• Report Pass: 5/1/26
• Enrolled: 5/8/26

Caption

RELATING TO FUNDING ADJUSTMENTS FOR STATE PROGRAMS.

Summary

HB2275 is a fiscal appropriations measure that adjusts funding for several state programs in fiscal year 2026-2027. It provides general fund operating appropriations for the Agribusiness Development Corporation, the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Community Development Authority, and it also appropriates $600 million from the Mass Transit Special Fund for disbursements under state transit law. In addition, the bill creates a major disaster fund funding structure by appropriating $100 million into the fund and $100 million out of it for disaster recovery and response costs. The bill also gives the governor limited authority to transfer up to $100 million from the major disaster fund to other state agencies when the governor makes a written finding that the transfer is essential to address an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare arising from an emergency. The governor must notify the legislature within five days of each use of this authority, provide detailed justification and transfer information, and submit a summary report before the 2027 regular session. Any unused funds lapse to the general fund on June 30, 2027, and the authority ends when the emergency ends or the legislature acts. In practical terms, the bill affects state budgeting and the administration of several agencies and special funds, especially the mass transit and disaster response accounts. It does not create a new regulatory program so much as it reallocates and conditions public funds, while also reinforcing legislative oversight over emergency-related transfers. The bill amends how money may be moved and spent within existing state finance structures, particularly under the major disaster fund established in Hawaii Revised Statutes section 127A-16. The general sentiment reflected in the voting history appears strongly supportive and noncontroversial. The Senate Ways and Means Committee passed the bill unanimously, and both the House and Senate conference votes were unanimous as well, suggesting broad agreement on the need for the appropriations and emergency funding flexibility. No committee transcripts were provided, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate substantial opposition. The main point of potential contention is the governor’s emergency transfer authority from the major disaster fund, because it allows executive reallocation of up to $100 million to other agencies. However, that authority is narrowed by written findings, reporting requirements, a lapse date, and a termination clause, which likely helped address concerns about oversight and limits on executive discretion.

Impact

HB2275 appropriates general fund and special fund moneys for FY 2026-2027, including operating support for the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, and Hawaii Community Development Authority, plus a large appropriation from the Mass Transit Special Fund. It also establishes a major disaster fund financing mechanism by depositing $100 million into the fund and appropriating $100 million from it for disaster recovery and response. The bill further authorizes limited emergency transfers from the major disaster fund to other state agencies, subject to reporting and legislative notification requirements, thereby affecting state budget administration and emergency finance procedures.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have broad bipartisan or at least cross-chamber support, with unanimous votes in the Senate Ways and Means Committee and in both conference committees. The absence of recorded dissent suggests the appropriations and emergency funding provisions were generally viewed as necessary and acceptable. The structure of the bill, including oversight conditions on the governor’s transfer authority, likely contributed to the favorable reception.

Contention

The most notable area of contention is the provision allowing the governor to transfer up to $100 million from the major disaster fund to other state agencies during an emergency. That authority could raise separation-of-powers or oversight concerns because it permits executive reallocation of appropriated funds. The bill addresses those concerns by requiring a written determination, detailed legislative notice, a summary report, a lapse date, and a limitation to what is strictly necessary, indicating that any debate likely centered on balancing emergency flexibility with legislative control over appropriations.