Budget & Taxes (Procurement)

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 68: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF NO-BID CONTRACTS ISSUED BY STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES UNDER PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING STATES OF EMERGENCY DURING THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2020, AND DECEMBER 31, 2025.

This Senate Resolution requests the State Auditor to review no-bid contracts issued by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will examine how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods. The Auditor will submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session. This measure aims to identify potential reforms to emergency procurement laws based on past practices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by requesting an audit of no-bid contracts during emergencies, ensuring accountability for public funds and preventing misuse of taxpayer money.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Procurement

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SCR 74: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF NO-BID CONTRACTS ISSUED BY STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES UNDER PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING STATES OF EMERGENCY DURING THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2020, AND DECEMBER 31, 2025.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the State Auditor to examine no-bid contracts awarded by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will review how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods when normal procurement rules may be suspended. The Auditor will submit findings and recommendations, including potential legislative changes, to the Legislature before the 2027 session. This measure directly affects state and county agencies that have issued emergency contracts and aims to ensure transparency in how public money is spent during crises.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by auditing emergency no-bid contracts, ensuring accountability for public funds and preventing misuse of taxpayer money during states of emergency.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Procurement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SR 104: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF NO-BID CONTRACTS ISSUED BY STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES UNDER PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING STATES OF EMERGENCY DURING THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2020, AND DECEMBER 31, 2025.

This Senate Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct an audit of no-bid contracts issued by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will examine how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods. The Auditor is asked to review these practices to identify potential reforms and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure does not change existing laws but instead seeks oversight and transparency regarding emergency procurement processes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by requesting an audit of no-bid contracts during emergencies to ensure accountability and proper use of public funds.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Procurement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 37: URGING ALL STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT TO IMPLEMENT PROMPT PAYMENT TRANSPARENCY MEASURES AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES FOR ITS EFFORTS.

This bill urges all state and county agencies in Hawaii that handle construction projects to create public websites showing payment details for contractors and subcontractors. It asks these agencies to display information about job progress, payments made, and any withheld funds within one year of the resolution's adoption. The measure also requests agencies that cannot comply to explain why, and it thanks the Public Works Division for its existing payment transparency efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility through payment transparency, which helps prevent government waste and ensures proper fund utilization in public works projects.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes payment transparency for contractors and subcontractors, protecting workers' right to timely payment and reducing wage theft risks in construction.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1724: RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Makes the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program permanent, with modifications that include changing the method for computation of interest for purchasers of certain real property. Expands the use of proceeds in the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to include purchasing equity in for-sale housing development projects and interim primary or secondary financing. Exempts disbursements from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund from appropriation and allotment requirements. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes affordable housing funding permanent and expands use of proceeds, exempting disbursements from appropriation requirements, which strengthens housing finance programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPermanently expands HHFDC's Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to fund equity in for-sale housing development projects, advancing affordable housing through financial mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement Homeownership Housing Finance Property Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SCR 111: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF NO-BID CONTRACTS ISSUED BY STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES UNDER PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING STATES OF EMERGENCY DURING THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2020, AND DECEMBER 31, 2025.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to review no-bid contracts issued by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will examine how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods. This review aims to identify inconsistencies in emergency procurement practices and provide recommendations for potential legal reforms. The Auditor must submit findings and suggestions to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by auditing emergency no-bid contracts to ensure accountability and proper use of public funds.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Procurement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 35: URGING ALL STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT TO IMPLEMENT PROMPT PAYMENT TRANSPARENCY MEASURES AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES FOR ITS EFFORTS.

This House Resolution urges all state and county agencies in Hawaii involved in construction projects to implement transparency measures for contractor payments, similar to the system already used by the Public Works Division. The bill requires agencies to create public websites within one year that display information about job progress, payments to prime contractors, retainage amounts, and subcontractor payment status. Agencies unable to comply must submit written explanations of barriers to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session. The resolution also expresses appreciation to the Public Works Division for its existing efforts and requests that agencies report their progress to the Legislature within 20 days of the 2027 session convening.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal transparency in government spending, which strengthens budget accountability and public trust in fiscal management.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 178: URGING ALL STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT TO IMPLEMENT PROMPT PAYMENT TRANSPARENCY MEASURES AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES FOR ITS EFFORTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges all state and county agencies in Hawaii that handle construction projects to create public websites showing payment information for contractors and subcontractors. The bill asks these agencies to display details about job progress, payments made, and retained funds within one year of the resolution's adoption. It specifically thanks the Public Works Division for its existing transparency efforts and requests agencies unable to comply explain their barriers to the Legislature. While the resolution does not mandate immediate legal changes, it sets a timeline for agencies to report on their progress and consider future legislation to improve payment transparency in public construction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes government transparency in public works spending, which supports fiscal accountability and responsible budget management.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1227: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires contracts for services awarded to community-based organizations by the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, or Judiciary in support of fulfilling their statutory mandates to individuals, families, and communities in the State to include certain protections against inflation. Appropriates funds to the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Judiciary to increase the contract price in existing contracts for certain services provided by community-based organizations in support of fulfilling their statutory mandates to individuals, families, and communities in the State.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to increase contract prices for inflation protection in state contracts, directly supporting budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires inflation protections in DOH/DHS contracts, ensuring stable funding for community healthcare services. Appropriates funds to increase contract prices, aligning with healthcare funding and protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement State Budget

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 1414: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Authorizes the head of a procurement agency to award a contract to a bidder who is not the lowest responsible and responsive bidder, for procurements conducted by competitive sealed bidding, if the head of the procuring agency determines that the award is most beneficial to taxpayers or otherwise in the best interests of the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by allowing contract awards most beneficial to taxpayers, aligning with efficient government spending under Budget & Taxes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement State Budget

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