HOUSE DEMOCRATS CELEBRATE PASSAGE AND FUNDING OF MAJORITY PACKAGE BILLS IN 33RD LEGISLATIVE SESSION
- Hawai'i House Democrats
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today, House Democrats celebrate the successful advancement of the 2025 House Majority Package, with all seven bills now either passing final reading in both legislative chambers, adopted through companion legislation, or funded through the state budget. All measures now await the Governor’s signature.
“This session marks meaningful progress for the House Majority in advocating for the people of Hawai‘i,” said House Majority Leader Sean Quinlan (D-47, Waialua to Kahana). “Through strong collaboration, we advanced every proposal our members developed during the interim. We appreciate the Senate for recognizing the importance of moving these shared priorities forward—especially in the areas of housing, homelessness, agriculture, economic development, and public safety.”
Overview of the House Majority Package:
Renames the Department of Agriculture to the "Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity". Renames the Board of Agriculture to the "Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity". Establishes and appropriates funds for a Deputy Director of Biosecurity. Changes references to the plant and animal declaration form to the "biosecurity form". Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Appropriates funds for positions for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.
Appropriation: $12,735,015 for FY26, $12,735,015 for FY27, plus $589,716 for Biosecurity FTE and additional funding – recurring.
Establishes the Hawaiʻi Farm to Families Program to alleviate food shortages in the State. Requires reports to the Legislature prior to the Regular Sessions of 2026 and 2027. Appropriates funds.
Funded in the State Budget (HB300): $500,000 in FY26 and FY27.
Appropriates funds to hire teachers and teacher assistants and for equipment and services for public preschools.
Funded in the State Budget (HB300): $5,027,927 and 58 FTEs in FY26, and $8,236,302 and 108 FTEs in FY27.
Permits the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to enter into contracts with eligible employers or registered apprenticeship programs in the private sector to provide on-the job training to eligible interns. Provides that the State shall be the responsible employer for purposes of workers' compensation coverage for students or recent graduates in the on-the-job-training work experience program, subject to certain limitations. Appropriates funds.
Appropriation: $1.8 million for FY26 and $1.8 million for FY27; supports 90 DOE FTEs.
Appropriates funds for the Kauhale Initiative. Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Supportive Housing Special Fund. Establishes the Kauhale Initiative Special Fund.
Appropriation: $18,575,000 for FY26, $24,325,000 for FY27 (Kauhale Initiative), and $2,525,000 for FY26 and $5,855,000 for FY27 (Continued Ohana Zones Pilot Program).
Establishes the mixed-income subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund that targets workforce rental housing projects for persons and families with incomes at or below one hundred forty percent of the area median income. Authorizes the Director of Finance to transfer funds from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund into the mixed-income subaccount. Appropriates funds into and out of the mixed-income subaccount of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund.
Did not pass but the concept was adopted and funded in HB1409 to create the Mixed-Income Subaccount in the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Funded in the State Budget (HB300): $50 million in CIP funding for Tier II workforce housing to the Rental Housing Revolving Fund for FY26 and FY27.
Appropriates funds to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for reentry services to connect offenders with community-based services.
Funded in the State Budget (HB300): $4 million for FY26 and $4 million for FY27.
###
The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives consists of 51 members who serve two-year terms. The House Majority consists of 42 Democrats for the 33rd Legislature. Follow the Hawaiʻi House Democrats on Facebook, Instagram, or visit www.hawaiihousedemocrats.com.
Cathy S . Lee
Director of Communications
Hawaiʻi House of Representatives
Komentar