Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz

Requires DOH to submit a reorganization plan to the Legislature to consolidate the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions with the Homeless Programs Office under a single centralized entity. Specifies the contents of the reorganization plan and the dates by which the draft and final plan and timeline for reorganization must be submitted to the Legislature. Requires the consolidated entity to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriate funds. Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds for the Kauhale Initiative and related capital improvement projects. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Defeasement Trust Fund within the Department of Budget and Finance for the defeasement of tax-exempt bonds to allow private use of state facilities financed by tax-exempt bonds. Requires the Department to consult with bond counsel before defeasement. Appropriates moneys in and out of the Defeasement Trust Fund for defeasement of certain tax-exempt bonds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Exempts from the Hawaii Public Procurement Code procurements by the Department of Education of any amount of local edible produce and packaged food products that do not cost more than five per cent of non-local alternatives. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Amends criminal penalties under the Hawaii Public Procurement Code by providing that a person who intentionally violates the code is subject to prosecution for a misdemeanor in cases of egregious violations of the Code. Ensures that awarded contracts are supported by sufficient appropriations by requiring a contract amount that exceeds fifteen per cent of the amount of the appropriation or balance of an appropriation to be approved by the Chief Procurement Officer to become binding. Establishes positions within the State Procurement Office. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive performance and financial audit of the Department of Education's capital improvement project backlog. The audit will examine the status of all pending school construction and renovation projects, including their funding levels, timelines, cost estimates, and any delays or administrative issues. The Auditor is instructed to provide a detailed report with recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026, which will help policymakers understand the scale of deferred maintenance and plan future investments. This measure directly affects the Department of Education, the Office of the Auditor, and state taxpayers by seeking greater transparency over public infrastructure spending.

Requires that tuition, tuition-related course and fee charges, and other charges to students deposited into the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund be allocated and expended in accordance with Board of Regents policies governing systemwide operations. On 6/30/2029, requires unencumbered funds in the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund that exceeds the reserve level established by the Board of Regents to lapse to the general fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit to incentivize significant investment in agricultural production and support the expansion of agricultural crops that take longer to become productive. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 1/1/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires that lands within the agricultural district with class B or C soils that have solar or wind energy facilities must also obtain certification from the Department of Agriculture that the lands are also used for a farming operation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Exempts general fund appropriations to the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra from the requirements of chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for general operating costs of the Orchestra and for deposit into the State of Hawaii Endowment Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Transit-Oriented Community Improvement Partnership within the Department of Transportation. Establishes the Community Improvement Special Fund. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds into and out of the special fund for the partnership and positions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)