#hawaii budget

Record funding for biosecurity measures approved by the state legislature this year will expand the state’s efforts to stop the spread of invasive species such as little fire ants, the coconut rhinoceros beetle and coqui frogs, the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) announced Monday.

The bill contains billions in assistance for Hawai‘i, including $49 million directed to 14 specific needs under Community Project Funding supported by US Rep. Ed Case.

HB954 (Act 163) gives $104 million of income support to local taxpayers, “many of whom will receive tax refunds worth thousands of dollars that will flow back into their household budgets to help make ends meet,” according to the governor’s announcement.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted Thursday to approve the State Budget Bill, also known as House Bill 300. Highlights of the budget document are posted HERE.

With the rebounding of the State’s economy and significant increases in tax revenues, the Senate coffers are anticipating the general fund to be $ 8,772,816,000 for FY22 and $ 9,299,185,000 in FY23.

“This budget request is very different from budget requests of the previous two years, when we had to cut more than $1 billion, and all state agencies were forced to slash spending. This year, the economy has improved more quickly than anticipated,” said Gov. Ige.

The Hawaiʻi State Senate adjourned its veto override session that began on July 6. There are a total of six overrides and three floor amendments.

“New guidance from the federal government clearly states that rescue funds cannot be used for debt service, and this created a gap in the budget that must be corrected,” said Gov. Ige.

Senate and House conferees approved a final version of HB200, the state budget bill, on Monday which includes operating and capital improvement monies for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.

The House Finance Committee amended and passed the state operating budget for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. House Bill 200, House Draft 1 now moves to the full House for a vote on third reading.

Gov. Ige announced that he may be seeking emergency appropriations in separate legislation to support COVID-19 mitigation efforts such as vaccination implementation, hospital surge staffing and the Safe Travels program.

The committee voted to provide $19 million for Maui Health System operating costs, $21.6 million for Hawai‘i Health System Corporation operating costs, and $750,000 to the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority to maintain the State’s existing rent supplement program.

CIP highlights for Maui include: $3 million for plans and designs of a new middle school in Central Maui; $500,000 for perimeter fence at ʻĪao Intermediate School; $9 million for Lealiʻi parkways and highways improvements; $11 million for Kāʻanapali Beach Restoration and Berm Enhancement; $3 million for a ferry pier at Lahaina Boat Harbor; $4 million for improvements Waiʻanapanapa State Park in East Maui; $5 million for the Maui Regional Public Safety Complex; and $40 million for the widening of Puʻunēnē Avenue from Kamehameha Avenue to Kūihelani Highway.

Lawmakers say the primary goal for the Legislature during this time is to revise the state budget bill “to avoid any draconian budget cuts to wages or services,” and to “plug a $1 billion hole in the budget” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.  

Highlights include: $9.3 million in FY21 for the Molokaʻi Irrigation System; $17 million in FY20 for a new classroom building at Pāʻia Elementary School

The bill puts a priority on appropriating funds to staff the new state hospital, make needed improvements at state airports, and pay down our debt service.

Governor Ige’s Executive Budget builds on momentum achieved in high-priority areas such as education, affordable housing and homelessness, and sustainability.

There’s $2.5 million for the Kahului Civic Center on Maui; and $9 million for the acquisition of 3,200+ acres in Upcountry Maui for reforestation and recreation

House and Senate conferees today approved a final version of HB1900 HD1 SD1, the state budget bill, which includes operating and capital improvement monies to..

Early agreement on a number of budget items includes $500,000 for books and materials for public libraries statewide.