Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HB2240

Introduced
1/28/26  
Refer
1/30/26  
Report Pass
2/20/26  
Engrossed
2/23/26  
Refer
2/24/26  
Report Pass
3/5/26  
Enrolled
3/6/26  
Chaptered
3/23/26  

Caption

Making Appropriations To Provide For The Expenses Of The Legislature, The Auditor, The Legislative Reference Bureau, The Ombudsman, And The Ethics Commission.

Impact

By appropriating significant funds like $17,808,628 to the House and $4,791,670 to the legislative reference bureau among others, HB2240 aims to sustain legislative infrastructure through its operational expenses. This bill is also designed to improve transparency by facilitating audits and operations for various state functions, therefore ensuring accountability in the use of state resources. The inclusion of provisions for auditing further enhances fiscal responsibility and governance.

Summary

House Bill 2240 focuses on appropriations to cover expenses for various legislative functions and offices in the State of Hawaii, including the legislature, the office of the auditor, the legislative reference bureau, the ombudsman, and the state ethics commission. It proposes funding to ensure the continuance of essential operations such as legislative broadcasting, accounting, and audit functions. The bill ensures that specified funds are allocated for the legislative information system which plays a crucial role in the administrative functions of the legislative body.

Sentiment

The discussions surrounding HB 2240 received a mixture of support and caution. Supporters highlight the need for appropriate funding to maintain the checks and balances necessary for effective governance. However, there may be concerns regarding the appropriateness of spending levels during times of budget restrictions and the necessity of some expenditures, reflecting a critical oversight to ensure public funds are utilized effectively.

Contention

One notable point of contention revolves around the specific allocation of funds and whether such expenditures adequately reflect the priorities of the state government. Fiscal conservatives may argue against certain appropriations as being excessive while advocates of robust funding for legislative support emphasize that adequate resources are crucial for maintaining operational effectiveness. The debate thus highlights the tension between fiscal responsibility and the need for comprehensive state governance.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

HI HB1440

Making Appropriations To Provide For The Expenses Of The Legislature, The Auditor, The Legislative Reference Bureau, The Ombudsman, And The Ethics Commission.

HI HR122

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Review All Reports Required To Be Submitted To The Legislature And Make Recommendations On Which Reports Should Be Discontinued.

HI HCR126

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Review All Reports Required To Be Submitted To The Legislature And Make Recommendations On Which Reports Should Be Discontinued.

HI HCR138

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study To Understand The Implementation Process And Projected Financial Impact Of Adopting Fiscal Notes Into The State's Legislative Procedure.

HI HR132

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study To Understand The Implementation Process And Projected Financial Impact Of Adopting Fiscal Notes Into The State's Legislative Procedure.

HI HCR29

Urging The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study On The Economic, Social, And Fiscal Impact Of The Kapiolani Hospital Nurses Strike And Lockout To The State.

HI HR28

Urging The Legislative Reference Bureau To Conduct A Study On The Economic, Social, And Fiscal Impact Of The Kapiolani Hospital Nurses Strike And Lockout To The State.

HI HB1055

Making An Emergency Appropriation To The Public Utilities Commission.

HI HB1439

Making Appropriations For Public Employment Cost Items.

HI SR35

Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Cooperate With The Hawaii State Public Library System To Identify Rural And Underserved Communities In The State With A Need For Better Telecommunication Access For Residents To Participate In The State Legislative Process.

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