Informing the Legislature that on May 19, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2343 HD1 SD1 (ACT 018).

2026 Regular Session

Repeals the fixed 2027 deadline and requires assimilating the Maui state veterans home into a Maui-affiliated state agency “as soon as practicable,” with assets and lease transferr

Received.

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Summary of GM 1118 (HB 2343, HD 1, SD 1) – Hawaii, 2026

What the bill does

The act repeals the June 30, 2027 deadline established in Act 99 (2024) for transferring the Maui state veterans home into a state agency with a Maui affiliation.

Instead, it requires the assimilation of the Maui state veterans home into a suitable state agency with Maui ties “as soon as practicable,” replacing the prior fixed deadline.

It clarifies that after assimilation, the Maui state veterans home’s physical assets and ground lease would become property of and be managed by the agency into which the home is assimilated.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1 (Findings and Purpose)

Acknowledges that Act 99 aimed to transfer the Maui veterans home to a Maui-affiliated state agency by June 30, 2027.
Recognizes the transfer is complex (logistical, labor relations, financial issues) and seeks to reexamine the deadline.
Establishes the purpose: move the Maui veterans home to a Maui-affiliated state agency “as soon as practicable.”

Section 2 (Amendment to Act 99)

Amends Act 99, Section 3(a) to replace the June 30, 2027 deadline with language indicating assimilation should occur “as soon as practicable.”
Maintains that after assimilation, the assets and the ground lease become property of and managed by the assimilating agency.

Section 3 (Technical)

Repeals bracketed text and underscores newly enacted material, as standard for codified amendments.

Section 4 (Effective Date)

The act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Who is affected

The Maui state veterans home and its current administration.

The Hawaii state agencies that could absorb the Maui home (potentially the Oahu regional health care system or another state agency with Maui affiliation, as contemplated by Act 99 and references in the bill).

Employees, labor relations, and stakeholders involved in the transfer process (due to the noted complexity).

The state budget and facilities management, given the transfer of assets and lease interests.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Original deadline under Act 99: June 30, 2027.

This bill repeals that hard deadline and replaces it with a flexible timeline—assimilate “as soon as practicable.”

Effective date: upon the Governor’s approval (which occurred May 19, 2026), meaning the act becomes law immediately after signing.

Context and intent

Recognizes that the Maui veterans home is intended as a long-term care facility (skilled nursing, rehabilitation therapies, hospice, Alzheimer’s care, respite care) and should be managed by a state agency with expertise in long-term care.

Seeks to balance the policy goal of placing the facility within an appropriate state agency against practical considerations—timing, labor, and financial logistics—to achieve the assimilation with proper planning and feasibility.

Bottom line

HB 2343, HD 1, SD 1 repeals the fixed 2027 deadline for assimilating the Maui state veterans home into a Maui-affiliated state agency and requires completion “as soon as practicable.” It ensures that once assimilation occurs, assets and the ground lease transfer to the absorbing agency. The measure takes effect upon the Governor’s approval (May 19, 2026).