Bills

SB 2545: Maui State Veterans Home; HHSC; Oahu Regional Health Care System; State Agency; Maui Affiliation; Transfer; Deadline

Session Year: 2025-2026
House: Senate
Latest Version Date: 2026-02-13

Current Status:

Failed

(2026-03-10: Referred to HLT, PBS, FIN, referral sheet 16)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

Version:

Repeals the 6/30/27 deadline by which the Maui State Veterans Home must be assimilated into a state agency having a Maui affiliation. Requires the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home to be completed as soon as practicable. (SD1)

Version:

SB2545 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2545
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO VETERANS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024 (Act 99), requires the transfer of the Maui state veterans home to the Oahu regional health care system or a state agency having a Maui affiliation.

The legislature also finds that the Maui state veterans home is a proposed long-term health care facility that is anticipated to offer skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapies, and hospice, Alzheimer's disease, and respite care. The legislature passed Act 99 in recognition that this facility should be placed under a state agency having the expertise to manage a long-term care facility.

Act 99 required the assimilation of the Maui state veterans home into a state agency no later than June 30, 2027. However, the legislature finds that the transfer of the Maui state veterans home is highly complex because of logistical, labor relations, and financial issues. Therefore, it is necessary to reexamine this deadline to ensure that the intent of Act 99 is properly achieved.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is repeal the June 30, 2027, deadline for the transfer of the Maui state veterans home and instead require the transfer of the Maui state veterans home to be completed as soon as practicable.

SECTION 2. Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, section 3, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) [~~No later than June 30, 2027,~~] As soon as practicable, the Maui state veterans home shall be assimilated into a state agency having a Maui affiliation, in a manner and to an extent that may be negotiated between the Oahu regional health care system or state agency having a Maui affiliation and the department of defense. After assimilation, the physical assets and the ground lease of the Maui state veterans home shall become the property of and be managed by the agency into which the Maui state veterans home is assimilated."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Maui State Veterans Home; HHSC; Oahu Regional Health Care System; State Agency; Maui Affiliation; Transfer; Deadline

Description:

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

SB2545

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2545
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO VETERANS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024 (Act 99), requires the transfer of the Maui state veterans home to a state agency having a Maui affiliation.

SECTION 2. Section 3 of Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Maui State Veterans Home; HHSC; Oahu Regional Health Care System; State Agency; Maui Affiliation; Transfer; Deadline

Description:

Repeals the specific deadline by which the Maui State Veterans Home must be assimilated into a state agency having a Maui affiliation. Requires the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home to be completed as soon as practicable.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

Date	Status
Mar 10, 2026	Referred to HLT, PBS, FIN, referral sheet 16
Mar 10, 2026	Pass First Reading
Mar 6, 2026	Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 61) in amended form (SD 1).
Mar 6, 2026	Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.
Mar 5, 2026	One Day Notice 03-06-26.
Mar 5, 2026	Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2767) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
Mar 2, 2026	The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Feb 25, 2026	The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-02-26 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
Feb 23, 2026	The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:55AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
Feb 17, 2026	Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
Feb 17, 2026	Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2302) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
Feb 4, 2026	The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) McKelvey ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Jan 30, 2026	The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 1:01PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
Jan 28, 2026	Referred to HHS, WAM.
Jan 23, 2026	Passed First Reading.
Jan 23, 2026	Introduced.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
Mar 6, 2026	Third Reading	Senate Floor	24 0 1 Passed
Mar 2, 2026	The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED	Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means	13 0 0 Passed
Feb 4, 2026	The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services	5 0 0 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.

Positions by individuals are not included.

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

Organization	Position	Date
Department of Defense	** Support
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency	*** Support	Feb 27, 2026
Hawaii Military Affairs Council	*** Support	Feb 27, 2026
Maui County Veterans Council	*** Support	Feb 27, 2026
Office of Veterans Services	*** Support	Feb 27, 2026
Office of Veterans' Services	** Support
State of Hawaii Department of Defense	*** Support	Feb 27, 2026

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2767

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2545

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2545, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal from Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, the June 30, 2027, deadline for the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home and to instead require the transfer to be completed as soon as practicable.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the State of Hawaii Department of Defense, Hawaii Office of Veterans' Services, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and five individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Oahu Region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

Your Committee finds that Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024 (Act 99), requires the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home to the Oahu Regional Health Care System or a state agency having a Maui affiliation by June 27, 2027. However, your Committee recognizes that the transfer is highly complex due to logistical, labor relations, and financial issues. Your Committee believes that this measure's repeal of the specific deadline is appropriate and will help ensure that the intent of Act 99 is properly achieved.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2545, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2302

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2545

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2545 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Repeal the June 30, 2027, deadline by which the Maui State Veterans Home must be assimilated into a state agency having a Maui affiliation; and

(2) Require the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home to be completed as soon as practicable.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense, Office of Veterans' Services, Hawaii Military Affairs Council, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Oahu Region.

Your Committee finds that Act 99, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024 (Act 99), requires the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home to the Oahu Regional Health Care System or a state agency having a Maui affiliation before June 30, 2027. However, your Committee further finds that the transfer of the Maui State Veterans Home is highly complex because of logistical, labor relations, and financial issues. This measure enables this important project to continue moving forward without time constraints, while also affording an extended opportunity for the formulation of a state agency having a Maui affiliation that is capable of fulfilling both ownership and operational oversight responsibilities for the new Maui State Veterans Home.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2545, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2545, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair

Date	Testimony PDF
Feb 27, 2026	SB2545_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_02-25-26_.PDF
Feb 4, 2026	SB2545_TESTIMONY_HHS_02-04-26_.PDF

Discussed in Hearing

7SEC

Authors shown for version:
SB2545_SD1 (2/13/2026)

SB 2545: Maui State Veterans Home; HHSC; Oahu Regional Health Care System; State Agency; Maui Affiliation; Transfer; Deadline

Current Status:

Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means

Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services

Senate Standing Committee on Labor and Technology