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HB 2240

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE AUDITOR, THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU, THE OMBUDSMAN, AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nadine Nakamura

Hawaii bill appropriates state funds for Legislature, Auditor, Legislative Reference Bureau, Ombudsman, and Ethics Commission operational expenses.

Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.
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Bill Summary · HB 2240

Legislative bill overview

HB 2240 appropriates state funding for the operational expenses of Hawaii's legislative branch and five oversight agencies: the Legislature itself, the State Auditor, the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Ombudsman, and the Ethics Commission. The bill has passed the House and is now in Senate committee review.

Why is this important

This is a foundational budgetary bill that directly funds the institutions responsible for legislative operations, financial accountability, and ethical governance in Hawaii. Without such appropriations, these agencies cannot function, making this essential for government continuity and oversight mechanisms.

Potential points of contention

  • Specific appropriation amounts: The bill text doesn't specify dollar figures in this summary, so stakeholders may debate whether funding levels are adequate for each agency's mission or represent increases/decreases from prior years
  • Ombudsman and Ethics Commission independence: Appropriating funds through the Legislature could raise questions about whether these oversight bodies maintain sufficient independence from the branch they help monitor
  • Legislative branch self-funding: Funding the Legislature through its own appropriations bill presents inherent questions about checks and balances and whether oversight is genuinely independent

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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