Hawaii General Obligation Bond Authorization
Summary
The Hawaii State Legislature passed HB2452 authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds and making the findings required by Article VII, Section 13 of the Hawaii State Constitution. The bill declares that the issuance of authorized bonds will not cause the state debt limit to be exceeded. The measure passed the Senate Ways and Means Committee with amendments on April 6, 2026.
What changed
HB2452 authorizes the State of Hawaii to issue general obligation bonds and includes constitutional findings under Article VII, Section 13 confirming debt limit compliance. The bill was sponsored by Representative Chris Todd and progressed through House Finance before being referred to Senate Ways and Means, which passed it with amendments on a 12-0 vote.\n\nThis is a routine state fiscal measure that does not create new compliance obligations for private entities. State agencies and departments should coordinate with the Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance regarding any bond-funded capital improvement projects. The constitutional debt limit findings provide legal authorization for the planned bond issuance program.
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Hawaii / HB2452 Passed HB2452 House Bill Passed 2026-03-10
Relating To State Bonds.
Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds. Makes findings required by Article VII, Section 13, of the Hawaii State Constitution to declare that the issuance of authorized bonds will not cause the debt limit to be exceeded.
Bill Details
State Hawaii
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber House
Official Source www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_ind...
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Sponsors
Chris Todd (Rep - D)
Action History
2026-04-06 S The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C.. 2026-03-30 S The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 04-06-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. 2026-03-27 S The committee(s) on WAM has rescheduled its public hearing to 03-30-26 10:30AM; CR 211 & Videoconference. 2026-03-25 S The committee(s) on WAM has scheduled a public hearing on 03-30-26 10:00AM; CR 211 & Videoconference. 2026-03-12 S Referred to WAM. 2026-03-12 S Passed First Reading. 2026-03-12 S Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 423). 2026-03-10 H Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Iwamoto voting no (1) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate. 2026-03-06 H Passed Second Reading; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Hashem, Perruso, Quinlan, Sayama excused (4). 2026-03-06 H Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1017-26), recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. 2026-03-04 H The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none. 2026-03-02 H Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Wednesday, 03-04-26 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-02-02 H Referred to FIN, referral sheet 6 2026-01-28 H Introduced and Pass First Reading. 2026-01-27 H Pending introduction.
Votes
2026-04-06 Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 12 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-02-02 H Finance 2026-03-12 S Ways and Means
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-27 Introduced
Subjects
State Bonds State Budget Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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