Bill > HB2582

This bill amends the membership and responsibilities of the Public Land Trust Working Group, which was established to address issues related to the public land trust, a collection of lands held in trust for specific purposes, including the betterment of Native Hawaiians. The working group's membership is expanded to include representatives appointed by the governor, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), the president of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and a non-governmental community member, with specific qualifications required for members. The bill mandates that the working group, with the assistance of independent third-party professionals, will conduct a thorough review of the public land trust inventory and financial reporting and accounting related to Act 178, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006. This review will involve assessing the accuracy and completeness of data collection, identifying reporting gaps, and recommending improvements. The working group is required to submit four reports to the Legislature: a first interim report on financial reporting by August 1, 2027; a second interim report on the land inventory by December 1, 2027; a third interim report with preliminary findings and recommendations by June 1, 2028; and a final report with proposed legislation by October 1, 2028. Additionally, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is authorized to provide administrative support to the working group, in coordination with a third-party consultant. The bill also specifies that the president of the senate and speaker of the house of representatives must appoint their respective members to the working group within fifteen days of the bill's effective date, which is set for July 1, 3000.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2582&year=2026