Immigration (Immigrant Services)

This is a procedural nomination, not a policy bill. Governor Green has submitted Annabelle Stone for confirmation to the Language Access Advisory Council, a position that supports language access services for non-English speakers in Hawaii. Her term would begin upon confirmation and expire on June 30, 2030. The Senate must consider and vote on this appointment.

Appropriates funds for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to increase access to bilingual resources and services for residents with limited English proficiency.

SB 3238 establishes a language access education and workforce development program at the University of Hawaii to train professionals in providing language services. It appropriates state funds to support this program, which directly affects communities with limited English proficiency and government agencies needing interpreters or translators. The key mechanism is creating a dedicated training initiative at UH to build a skilled workforce for language access services. This bill focuses on concrete policy changes by funding workforce development rather than altering existing services or regulations.

Establishes the Immigration Services Trust Fund to support immigration-related matters within the Office of Community Services. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to submit annual reports to the Legislature on the accounting of expenditures of the Fund. Appropriates funds.