House passes House Bill 300 (HD1), the House draft of the state budget, on third reading

The Hawaii House of Representatives passed House Bill 300, House Draft 1, the House'draft biennial budget, on third reading by unanimous voice vote during a House session that featured extended remarks from the Finance Committee chair and multiple members about funding priorities and trade-offs.

Representative Yamashita, chair of the House Committee on Finance, described the measure as a "responsive and responsible budget" intended to protect core services and the social safety net while preparing the state for federal-level uncertainty. "House Bill 300 HD 1 reflects the priorities of your House Committee on Finance to craft a responsive and responsible budget dedicated to supporting the safety net and core programs," Yamashita said.

The House draft includes a broad set of operating and capital investments. Members who spoke on the floor highlighted these allocations in remarks and yielded time to colleagues who described line items for their policy areas:

- Health and human services: representatives noted funding that includes $3.5 million annually to modernize the comprehensive child welfare information system; $29.5 million to increase provider reimbursement rates; $6.5 million annually for applied behavior analysis services; $14.1 million annually for in-home care and community-based services; and funding to expand youth mental health services and family resource centers.

- Public safety and emergency response: the bill provides $1.9 million in FY26 for expansion of the fireworks task force, $825,000 in FY26 to continue a gun buyback program, and $1.9 million annually and 20 positions for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency for disaster response and project management.

- Education and workforce: the House draft includes $2 million annually and 13 positions for the Kaiapuni program, $20 million for summer school programs, funding for school-based skilled nursing services and student mental health supports, and investments in workforce readiness and higher-education athletics. The bill also includes $4 million annually to increase school security.

- Housing and homelessness: floor remarks highlighted $1.5 million annually for family assessment centers for houseless families with children, $1.75 million annually for homeless outreach and civil legal services, $3.75 million annually for Housing First and rapid rehousing, and rent supplement funding.

- Capital improvements (CIP): the CIP manager summarized the capital budget included in the House draft as roughly $1.9 billion in general obligation debt and about $6 billion across financing sources, with funds directed to affordable housing infrastructure, school facility repairs (including $150 million for deferred maintenance), university and hospital projects, and public safety construction.

Several members expressed support while registering reservations on particular items. Representative Iwamoto said she supported the measure "with reservations," specifically calling attention to testimony critical of $30 million she described as perpetuating mass incarceration policies and noting community concern that those funds might have been used for services. Representative Perrick and others also registered reservations about particular line items, including administrative increases in state agencies.

Representative Todd formally moved the bill for third reading and Representative Morikawa seconded. The clerk announced earlier in the session that 47 members were present and four were excused; the House then recorded all majority and all minority members voting in favor and the clerk declared that House Bill 300 passed third reading.

The House draft will proceed to the next steps in the legislative process; Yamashita noted that the measure establishes the House's positions for upcoming conference deliberations with the Senate and that federal budget actions could affect final outcomes. "The budget is a starting point for conference," Yamashita said, urging support and describing the draft as preparing the state to confront economic uncertainty.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 300, HD1 (House draft of the biennial budget) ' Passed third reading (motion to pass moved by Representative Todd; seconded by Representative Morikawa). The clerk reported 47 members present and the roll was announced as all voting aye; the bill passed third reading.

Less-critical items and ceremonial business took place earlier in the session, including floor introductions and a resolution recognizing outstanding civic educators; those items did not affect the budget action.