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Bill

SB 1400

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Kouchi

Hawaii bill creates new Office of Wellness and Resilience to coordinate state mental health, public health, and community resilience programs across agencies.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
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Bill Summary · SB 1400

Legislative bill overview

SB 1400 establishes an Office of Wellness and Resilience in Hawaii, creating a new state agency focused on public health, mental health, and community resilience initiatives. The bill was introduced in the 2025 session but was carried over to 2026 for further consideration, indicating it requires additional development or negotiation before advancement.

Why is this important

The creation of a dedicated wellness office could streamline Hawaii's approach to mental health services, substance abuse prevention, and disaster resilience—issues affecting public health outcomes and economic productivity. However, the bill's carryover status suggests legislative questions remain about funding, jurisdictional overlap with existing agencies, or implementation scope.

Potential points of contention

  • Bureaucratic efficiency vs. redundancy: Whether a new office duplicates functions already handled by the Department of Health or other state agencies
  • Funding and resource allocation: Cost of establishing and operating the office amid competing state budget priorities
  • Governance structure: Questions about authority, oversight, and how the office coordinates with existing mental health, public health, and emergency management systems

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

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