HB1804 is a long-term care financing planning bill. It does not create a new long-term care insurance program or benefit structure immediately; instead, it directs the Executive Office on Aging (EOA) to develop a framework and scope of work for a proposed study on how Hawaii could finance long-term care services and supports in the future. The required study framework must examine the feasibility, costs, reliability, solvency, and population impacts of different public and private financing options, including ways to support home- and community-based care and to control costs through preventive and supportive measures.
The bill also requires the EOA to report back to the Legislature by early 2027 with the proposed study framework, estimated study costs, recommendations for next steps, and any draft legislation needed to procure and implement the study. It authorizes the EOA to contract with the University of Hawaii to help develop the framework, and it exempts that contract from the state procurement chapter 103D. The bill appropriates $100,000 in general funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 to carry out these planning activities.
Impact
HB1804 amends state action only indirectly by establishing a planning and reporting mandate for the Executive Office on Aging and by setting aside general funds for that purpose. It does not itself change eligibility rules, provider reimbursement, or resident benefits for long-term care, but it lays the groundwork for possible future legislation by requiring a formal evaluation of financing models and implementation steps. The bill also affects procurement rules by exempting any EOA-UH contract under the act from chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and it reinforces the EOA’s role under existing law as the lead state agency for elder and senior citizen programs.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support and no recorded opposition at each stage, with unanimous or near-unanimous committee and conference approvals. The bill advanced through Senate Health and Human Services, Senate Ways and Means, and conference committees with amendments, and it was transmitted to the Governor. The overall sentiment appears favorable, reflecting broad agreement that Hawaii needs a structured, evidence-based approach to long-term care financing.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the available record, likely because the measure is a study-and-planning bill rather than a direct benefit or tax program. The main policy questions embedded in the bill concern which financing model should be studied, how much emphasis should be placed on public versus private financing, and how to balance institutional care with home- and community-based services. Any potential concern would likely center on the $100,000 appropriation, the scope of the study, and the procurement exemption for a University of Hawaii contract, but no opposing arguments or dissenting votes are shown in the provided materials.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.
Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 88th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.