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Bill

Bill

SB 298

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Henry Aquino and 11 co-sponsors

Hawaii human services bill advanced to conference committee but failed to pass in 2025, carrying over to 2026 session due to unresolved disputes between legislative chambers.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
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Bill Summary · SB 298

Legislative bill overview

SB 298 is a Hawaii human services bill that was introduced with bipartisan sponsorship and advanced through the legislative process to conference committee stage in April 2025. The bill was carried over to the 2026 Regular Session, meaning it did not pass in the 2025 session and will be reconsidered next year.

Why is this important

Human services legislation typically affects vulnerable populations including low-income families, elderly residents, disabled individuals, and other groups relying on state assistance programs. The bill's advancement to conference committee indicates it had sufficient support to progress through initial chambers, suggesting substantive policy proposals within the human services portfolio.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope unclear: The bill summary provided does not detail specific policy changes, making it impossible to identify particular areas of disagreement between chambers or stakeholder groups
  • Conference committee deadlock: The bill's carryover to 2026 suggests conference committee members could not reach agreement on final language, indicating meaningful differences between House and Senate versions
  • Funding implications: Human services bills often involve budget allocations or entitlement changes that may face fiscal or philosophical disagreements

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

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