Bill > HB1262

This bill amends the Hawaii Revised Statutes to expand the allowable uses of the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund by adding a new provision for economic payments to certain Hawaii residents who have experienced significant losses during a state of emergency. Specifically, the bill allows the legislature to make appropriations from the fund to provide financial assistance to residents with annual gross incomes below a certain threshold who have lost their homes, jobs, food, clothing, or transportation due to a disaster. The economic payment would be the lesser of either an amount set by the governor (which must be at least $20,000) or the state minimum wage multiplied by 1,333 hours. This modification is added to the existing list of fund purposes, which include maintaining essential public services, supporting economic programs during downturns, restoring disaster-damaged facilities, and addressing other emergencies. Any appropriation from the fund would still require a two-thirds majority vote in each house of the legislature and must include a declaration of findings and purposes explaining the necessity of the expenditure.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1262&year=2026