Senate committee adopts multiple procurement, transparency and technical fixes; several bills deferred to Feb. 17

The Senate reconvened on Feb. 12 to complete decision making on measures heard earlier this month and adopted a suite of amended bills addressing procurement practices, bidder preferences and reporting requirements.

Chair opened the session and sequentially moved through the decision agenda. The committee adopted Senate Draft 1 versions of SB 23 43, SB 20 75, SB 29 27, SB 29 29, SB 29 38 (placement of a search-and-rescue position), SB 32 49 (procurement protests), SB 33 32 (state-funded travel) and SB 32 33 (ag workforce housing) after making technical and substantive amendments described below. Several other bills were deferred to a time‑certain on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 at 3:00 PM for additional drafting or discussion.

Among the notable changes, the committee amended SB 20 75 to address constitutional and State Procurement Office concerns: it requires an entity to have been in business in the state for two years before applying for the preference; requires not less than 51% of direct labor hours to be performed in-state and maintained through contract performance; establishes a preference cap of $500,000; and requires a Hawaii bidder preference affidavit executed under penalty. The committee also clarified that the preference does not apply where federal law or a federal funding condition prohibits it.

SB 29 27 (procurement) was revised to clarify prompt debriefing requirements, allow procurement officers to identify significant weaknesses or deficiencies, and receive technical, non‑substantive edits. SB 32 49 (procurement protests) was amended to remove the term "frivolous" from section 103D‑709 and to limit forfeiture to half the bond amount rather than the full amount as originally drafted. SB 33 32 (state travel) was moved to Senate Draft 1 with adjustments to remove specific lines, require travel reporting by position number (to protect individual confidentiality), and eliminate subsection g.

Several items were deferred. SB 20 64 (Office of the State Architect) and SB 32 16 were deferred indefinitely or until their contents are included in another measure. SB 30 68 was deferred indefinitely because the committee chose to move forward with SB 29 27. SB 20 94 (environmental action levels) was rolled to a time‑certain on Feb. 17 to allow continued committee consideration.

Votes at a glance: committee roll calls recorded multiple aye votes with some members noted as excused on specific items; the chair announced each measure adopted as Senate Draft 1 where recorded.

What happens next: Measures that were adopted will proceed as amended according to legislative rules; items deferred were given a Feb. 17 time‑certain or deferred indefinitely as noted by the chair.