THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
903
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
Section 1. (a) There is established in the office of Hawaiian affairs for administrative purposes only a claims review working group, which shall:
(1) Determine the process of calculating the total amount owed to clear all future claims of the office of Hawaiian affairs against the State; and
(2) Determine the process by which the office of Hawaiian affairs may negotiate a master settlement with the State.
(b) The working group shall comprise eight members, as follows:
(1) Two members shall be appointed by the governor;
(2) Four members shall be appointed by the chairperson of the board of trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs;
(3) One member shall be appointed by the president of the senate; and
(4) One member shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
(c) The members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.
(d) The working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027.
(e) The claims review working group shall cease to exist on June 30, 2028.
SECTION 2. Act 226, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, is amended by amending section 3 to read as follows:
"SECTION 3. [[Struck through: (a) There is established a working group to:]
[Struck through: (1)] [Struck through: Account for all ceded lands in the public land trust inventory;]
[Struck through: (2)] [Struck through: Account for all income and proceeds from the public land trust; and]
[Struck through: (3)] [Struck through: Subsequently determine the twenty per cent pro rata share of income and proceeds from the public land trust due annually to the office of Hawaiian affairs for the betterment of the conditions of Native Hawaiians.]
[Struck through: (b) The working group shall be comprised of six members, three of whom three shall be appointed by the governor and three of whom shall be appointed by the office of Hawaiian affairs board of trustees.]
[Struck through: (c) The working group, with the cooperation of any department or agency that uses, manages, or receives income, proceeds, or any other funds derived from the public land trust, shall prepare and submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation and the amount it determines for the annual amount of the twenty per cent pro rata share of income and proceeds from the public land trust, to the legislature.]
[Struck through: (d) The office of Hawaiian affairs shall provide any necessary administrative support, including preparation of the report required by subsection (c), to the working group.]] [Underlined: Repealed.]"[Struck through: ]
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the operating expenses of the office of Hawaiian affairs.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of Hawaiian affairs for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 2059.
Report Title:
OHA; Claims Against the State; Working Groups; Appropriations
Description:
Establishes in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for administrative purposes only a claims review working group. Requires a report to the Legislature. Repeals the working group established pursuant to Act 226, SLH 2022. Appropriates funds. Effective 6/30/2059. (SD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.