HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2075
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to tHE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that one of the primary responsibilities of the department of Hawaiian home lands in serving its beneficiaries is to effectively manage its homesteading program and efficiently administer a reduction in the homestead program's applicant waitlist.  As of 2022, over 28,000 applicants remained on the waiting list for residential, agricultural, and pastoral leases.  In an effort to vastly reduce the applicant waitlist, the legislature proposed a multi-pronged approach that was ultimately enacted as Act 279, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, and included a $600,000,000 appropriation toward this purpose.  The department has indicated that it is on track to spend the entire amount on schedule and has a need for even more funds for additional projects, including new homestead communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of Hawaiian home lands to further reduce the homestead program's applicant waitlist.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $600,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the department of Hawaiian home lands to reduce the homestead program's applicant waitlist.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of Hawaiian home lands for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No.     , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent.  In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $600,000,000 or      per cent.  The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Homestead Program; Waiting List; Housing; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to further reduce its homestead program applicant waitlist.

 

 

 

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