SB 269: RELATING TO THE BUDGET OF THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-02-10
Current Status:
Failed
(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Appropriates moneys to fund the operating expenses of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the fiscal biennium beginning on 7/1/2025, and ending on 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Appropriates moneys to fund the operating expenses of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the fiscal biennium beginning on 7/1/2025, and ending on 6/30/2027.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
269 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE BUDGET OF THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Appropriations Act of 2025.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise clear from the context, as used in this Act:
"Means of financing" or "MOF" means the source from which funds are appropriated or authorized to be expended for the programs and projects specified in this Act. All appropriations are followed by letter symbols. The letter symbols, where used, shall have the following meanings:
A General funds
T Trust funds
"Position ceiling" means the maximum number of permanent and temporary full-time equivalent positions authorized for a particular program during a specified period or periods, as denoted by an asterisk (*) for permanent full-time equivalent positions and a pound (#) sign for temporary full-time equivalent positions.
"Program ID" means the unique identifier for the specific program and consists of the abbreviation for the office of Hawaiian affairs (OHA) followed by the organization number for the program.
PART II. PROGRAM APPROPRIATIONS
SECTION 3. APPROPRIATIONS. The following sums, or so much thereof as may be sufficient to accomplish the purposes and programs designated herein, are hereby appropriated or authorized from the means of financing specified to the office of Hawaiian affairs for the fiscal biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. The total expenditures and the number of positions in each fiscal year of the biennium shall not exceed the sums and the numbers indicated for each fiscal year, except as provided elsewhere in this Act, or as provided by general law.
0.00 * 0.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OPERATING OHA 0 A 0 A
0.00 * 0.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OHA 0 T 0 T
13.00 * 13.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OPERATING OHA 1,258,454 A 1,296,208 A
0.00 * 00.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OHA 0 T 0 T
0.00 * 0.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OPERATING OHA 3,600,000 A 3,700,000 A
0.00 * 0.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OHA 3,600,000 T 3,700,000 T
PART III. PROGRAM PROVISIONS
SECTION 4. Provided that the general fund appropriations in part III of this Act shall be expended by the office of Hawaiian affairs.
SECTION 5. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy (OHA175), the sum of $600,000 in general funds and $600,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $625,000 in general funds and $625,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended for office of Hawaiian affairs beneficiaries for affordable, quality housing and related infrastructure.
SECTION 6. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy (OHA175), the sum of $515,000 in general funds and $515,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sums for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended to provide for social services, including referral services and case management, to at-risk office of Hawaiian affairs beneficiaries to immediately address unexpected crises; provided further that program activities shall be designed with an overall objective to provide financial assistance to improve stability during emergency situations.
SECTION 7. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy (OHA175), the sum of $715,000 in general funds and $715,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $740,000 in general funds and $740,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended to provide for educational improvement programs for Native Hawaiian students; provided further that programs shall be designed to help Native Hawaiian students prepare for post-secondary education and economic stability pursuits to support families and communities.
SECTION 8. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy (OHA175), the sum of $700,000 in general funds and $700,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sums for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended to provide for legal services and legal representation to office of Hawaiian affairs beneficiaries for:
(1) The assertion and defense of quiet title actions;
(2) Assistance with ahupuaʻa and kuleana tenant rights, including rights of access and rights to water;
(3) Land title assistance, including review of title and genealogy;
(4) Preservation of traditional and customary practices;
(5) Protection of culturally significant places, including iwi kūpuna protections;
(6) Preservation of Native Hawaiian land trust entitlements;
(7) Home ownership retention strategies for Native Hawaiians; and
(8) Family law-related matters, including adoption, foster care, child welfare, incarcerated individuals, guardianship, elder care, and similar matters.
SECTION 9. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy (OHA175), the sum of $600,000 in general funds and $600,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $625,000 in general funds and $625,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended for protections of ʻāina (land and water), including climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies and practices.
SECTION 10. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy, the sum of $470,000 in general funds and $470,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $495,000 in general funds and $495,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended for cultivating resilient communities through ahupuaʻa economics (regional economic development) and workforce readiness.
PART IV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AND EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 11. Provided that, whenever necessary, the board of trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs or the board's designee may transfer sufficient funds and positions between programs for operating purposes; provided further that these transfers shall be consistent with legislative intent; provided further that the office of Hawaiian affairs shall submit a report to the legislature of all uses of this authority for the previous twelve-month period from December 1 to November 30, no later than twenty days prior to the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027.
SECTION 12. If any portion of this Act or its application to any person, entity, or circumstance is held to be invalid for any reason, the legislature declares that the remainder of the Act and each and every other provision thereof shall not be affected thereby. If any portion of a specific appropriation is held to be invalid for any reason, the remaining portion shall be expended to fulfill the objective of the appropriation to the extent possible.
SECTION 13. In the event manifest clerical, typographical, or other mechanical errors are found in this Act, the board of trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs is authorized to correct these errors. All changes made pursuant to this section shall be reported to the legislature at its next session.
SECTION 14. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Package; Budget
Description:
Appropriates moneys to fund the operating expenses of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the fiscal biennium beginning on 7/1/2025, and ending on 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
269 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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|
STATE OF HAWAII |
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|
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|
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE BUDGET OF THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Appropriations Act of 2025.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise clear from the context, as used in this Act:
"Means of financing" or "MOF" means the source from which funds are appropriated or authorized to be expended for the programs and projects specified in this Act. All appropriations are followed by letter symbols. The letter symbols, where used, shall have the following meanings:
A General funds
T Trust funds
"Position ceiling" means the maximum number of permanent and temporary full-time equivalent positions authorized for a particular program during a specified period or periods, as denoted by an asterisk (*) for permanent full-time equivalent positions and a pound (#) sign for temporary full-time equivalent positions.
"Program ID" means the unique identifier for the specific program and consists of the abbreviation for the office of Hawaiian affairs (OHA) followed by the organization number for the program.
PART II. PROGRAM APPROPRIATIONS
SECTION 3. APPROPRIATIONS. The following sums, or so much thereof as may be sufficient to accomplish the purposes and programs designated herein, are hereby appropriated or authorized from the means of financing specified to the office of Hawaiian affairs for the fiscal biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027. The total expenditures and the number of positions in each fiscal year of the biennium shall not exceed the sums and the numbers indicated for each fiscal year, except as provided elsewhere in this Act, or as provided by general law.
0.00 * 0.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OPERATING OHA 0 A 0 A
0.00 * 0.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OHA 0 T 0 T
13.00 * 13.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OPERATING OHA 1,258,454 A 1,296,208 A
0.00 * 00.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OHA 0 T 0 T
0.00 * 0.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OPERATING OHA 3,600,000 A 3,700,000 A
0.00 * 0.00 *
0.00 # 0.00 #
OHA 3,600,000 T 3,700,000 T
PART III. PROGRAM PROVISIONS
SECTION 4. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy (OHA175), the sum of $600,000 in general funds and $600,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $625,000 in general funds and $625,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended for office of Hawaiian affairs beneficiaries for affordable, quality housing and related infrastructure.
SECTION 5. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy (OHA175), the sum of $515,000 in general funds and $515,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sums for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended to provide for social services, including referral services and case management, to at-risk office of Hawaiian affairs beneficiaries to immediately address unexpected crises; provided further that program activities shall be designed with an overall objective to provide financial assistance to improve stability during emergency situations.
SECTION 6. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy (OHA175), the sum of $715,000 in general funds and $715,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $740,000 in general funds and $740,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended to provide for educational improvement programs for Native Hawaiian students; provided further that programs shall be designed to help Native Hawaiian students prepare for post-secondary education and economic stability pursuits to support families and communities.
SECTION 7. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy (OHA175), the sum of $700,000 in general funds and $700,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sums for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended to provide for legal services and legal representation to office of Hawaiian affairs beneficiaries for:
(1) The assertion and defense of quiet title actions;
(2) Assistance with ahupua`a and kuleana tenant rights, including rights of access and rights to water;
(3) Land title assistance, including review of title and genealogy;
(4) Preservation of traditional and customary practices;
(5) Protection of culturally significant places, including iwi kūpuna protections;
(6) Preservation of Native Hawaiian land trust entitlements;
(7) Home ownership retention strategies for Native Hawaiians; and
(8) Family law-related matters, including adoption, foster care, child welfare, incarcerated individuals, guardianship, elder care, and similar matters.
SECTION 8. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy (OHA175), the sum of $600,000 in general funds and $600,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $625,000 in general funds and $625,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended for protections of `āina (land and water), including climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies and practices.
SECTION 9. Provided that of the funds appropriated for beneficiary advocacy, the sum of $470,000 in general funds and $470,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $495,000 in general funds and $495,000 in trust funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 shall be expended for cultivating resilient communities through ahupua`a economics (regional economic development) and workforce readiness.
PART IV. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AND EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 10. Provided that, whenever necessary, the board of trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs or the board's designee may transfer sufficient funds and positions between programs for operating purposes; provided further that these transfers shall be consistent with legislative intent; provided further that the office of Hawaiian affairs shall submit a report to the legislature of all uses of this authority for the previous twelve-month period from December 1 to November 30, no later than twenty days prior to the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027.
SECTION 11. If any portion of this Act or its application to any person, entity, or circumstance is held to be invalid for any reason, the legislature declares that the remainder of the Act and each and every other provision thereof shall not be affected thereby. If any portion of a specific appropriation is held to be invalid for any reason, the remaining portion shall be expended to fulfill the objective of the appropriation to the extent possible.
SECTION 12. In the event manifest clerical, typographical, or other mechanical errors are found in this Act, the board of trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs is authorized to correct these errors. All changes made pursuant to this section shall be reported to the legislature at its next session.
SECTION 13. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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By Request |
Report Title:
Office of Hawaiian Affairs Package; Budget
Description:
Appropriates moneys to fund the operating expenses of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the fiscal biennium beginning on 7/1/2025, and ending on 6/30/2027.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Reported from HWN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 210) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Jan 28, 2025 | The committee(s) on HWN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HWN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Richards, San Buenaventura, Keohokalole, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara. |
| Jan 24, 2025 | The committee(s) on HWN has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Referred to HWN, WAM. |
| Jan 15, 2025 | Introduced and passed First Reading. |
| Jan 14, 2025 | Pending Introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Jan 28, 2025 | The committee(s) on HWN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Hawaiian Affairs |
Passed |
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.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs | ** Support | |
| Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies | *** Against | Jan 29, 2025 |
| Naalehu Theatre | *** Support | Jan 29, 2025 |
| Naʻalehu Theatre | ** Support | |
| Office of Hawaiian Affairs | ** Support | |
| The Spoehr Foundation | ** Support | |
| Waianae Coast Community Foundation | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 210
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 269
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 269 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE BUDGET OF THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to fund the operating expenses of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the fiscal biennium beginning on 7/1/2025, and ending on 6/30/2027.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Naʻalehu Theatre, The Spoehr Foundation, Waianae Coast Community Foundation, and thirty-nine individuals.
Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.
Your Committee finds that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is a constitutionally established body responsible for protecting and promoting the rights of Native Hawaiians. This measure appropriates funds for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' operating budget in support of plans for the upcoming biennium and is vital to fulfilling the mandates of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Your Committee finds that the requested appropriation increases are necessary to adjust for the cost of inflation. Your Committee notes that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' intent is to utilize the funds to fund thirteen new staff positions to accelerate implementation of its Mana I Mauli Ola strategic plan. The thirteen-member team will evaluate existing programs and develop new programs and tactics to advance ʻoiwi well-being and reduce disparities in health, housing, education and economic development, as set forth in the strategic plan.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that general fund appropriations shall be expended by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs;
(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(3) 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 Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 269, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 269, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,
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________________________________ HERBERT RICHARDS, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Jan 29, 2025 | SB269_TESTIMONY_HWN_01-28-25_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
5MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Hawaiian Affairs
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):