STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1524

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.R. No. 147

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.R. No. 147 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A LEGISLATIVE WORKING GROUP FOR THE CONTINUED OVERSIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS' EXECUTION OF FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY ACT 279, SESSION LAWS OF HAWAII 2022,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a legislative working group for the continued oversight of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands' execution of funds appropriated by Act 279, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Act 279, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022 (Act 279), represented a historic investment by the State of $600,000,000 to address the backlog of native Hawaiian applicants waiting for homestead leases. In response, the House of Representatives established the Act 279 Working Group to oversee the implementation of these funds and ensure accountability in their use. Through public hearings and discussions, the Working Group identified the need for continued oversight to track progress and ensure that projects funded under Act 279 effectively support native Hawaiian families. This measure will ensure continued transparency, accountability, and ongoing legislative engagement in addressing the housing needs of native Hawaiians.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 147 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

____________________________

LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair