Local government; procedures for real property owners to make claims for compensation for loss of property value or expenses incurred; provisions

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Victor Anderson and 5 co-sponsors

HB 295 enhances access to Hawaiian Home Lands by allowing qualified successors for applicants and streamlining the waitlist, benefiting Native Hawaiians seeking homesteads.

Act 713

#localgovernment

Summary of HB 295: Relating to Hawaiian Home Lands

Bill Information:
- Bill Number: HB 295
- Title: Relating to Hawaiian Home Lands
- Status: Reported from HSG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 238) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
- Introduced: January 16, 2025
- Classification: Bill
- Subject: DHHL, Hawaiian Home Lands, Minority Caucus Package, Qualified Application Successors, Waitlist

Purpose and Intent

HB 295 aims to address issues related to Hawaiian Home Lands, particularly focusing on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and the management of the waitlist for applicants seeking homesteads. The bill seeks to improve the process for qualified application successors, thereby enhancing access to Hawaiian Home Lands for eligible beneficiaries.

Key Provisions

Qualified Application Successors: The bill proposes provisions that would allow for the designation of successors for applicants who are unable to fulfill their homestead agreements due to various circumstances. This aims to ensure that the benefits of Hawaiian Home Lands can be passed on to eligible family members.

Waitlist Management: HB 295 includes measures to streamline the management of the waitlist for Hawaiian Home Lands, potentially reducing the time applicants spend waiting for homestead opportunities.

Amendments: The bill has been amended in HD 1, although specific details of these amendments are not provided in the summary.

Impact

Beneficiaries: The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be individuals on the waitlist for Hawaiian Home Lands, particularly those who may have family members who qualify as successors. This could lead to increased access to homesteading opportunities for Native Hawaiians.

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL): The bill would also impact the DHHL by potentially altering how they manage applications and the waitlist, requiring adjustments in their operational procedures.

Legislative Timeline

January 16, 2025: Bill introduced and passed First Reading.

January 21, 2025: Referred to committees HSG, JHA, and FIN.

January 31, 2025: Scheduled for a hearing by the HSG committee.

February 5, 2025: HSG committee recommended that the measure be passed with amendments; the bill passed Second Reading and was referred to JHA.

February 6, 2025: Reported from HSG with recommendations for passage.

Conclusion

HB 295 is a significant legislative effort aimed at improving access to Hawaiian Home Lands for eligible beneficiaries by addressing the management of the waitlist and providing for qualified application successors. As it progresses through the legislative process, it has the potential to positively impact many individuals and families seeking homestead opportunities in Hawaii.