Emergency Appropriation for Food Assistance - HB2310
Summary
Hawaii HB2310 was enacted as an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services, replacing general fund allocations redirected to provide emergency food assistance during the 2025 federal government shutdown. The bill passed the Senate unanimously with a 12-0 vote and the House with a single dissenting vote. This measure ensures continuity of food assistance programs for eligible Hawaii residents affected by the federal shutdown.
What changed
Hawaii enacted emergency legislation providing supplemental appropriations to the Department of Human Services for food assistance programs. The bill replaces general funds that were diverted during the 2025 federal government shutdown to maintain emergency food assistance services. This is a specific state budget action addressing a gap created by federal funding disruptions.
For Hawaii residents dependent on food assistance programs, this legislation ensures continued eligibility and benefit delivery through state-managed programs. The Department of Human Services will receive funding to backfill federal assistance gaps, with the emergency appropriation effective retroactively to January 30, 2050.
What to do next
- Monitor for DHS implementation updates regarding food assistance program continuity
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Hawaii / HB2310 Passed HB2310 House Bill Passed 2026-03-05
Making An Emergency Appropriation To The Department Of Human Services.
Provides an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services to replace general fund appropriations redirected to provide emergency food assistance during the 2025 federal government shutdown. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)
Bill Details
State Hawaii
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber House
Official Source www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_ind...
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Sponsors
Nadine Nakamura (Rep - D)
Action History
2026-04-06 S The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. 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.. 2026-04-01 S The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 04-06-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. 2026-03-30 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. 2026-03-30 S The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-01-26 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. 2026-03-30 S Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3299) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. 2026-03-23 S The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. 2026-03-20 S The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 1:40PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. 2026-03-10 S Referred to HHS, WAM. 2026-03-06 S Passed First Reading. 2026-03-06 S Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 95). 2026-03-05 H Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate. 2026-03-05 H Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 819-26), recommending passage on Third Reading. 2026-02-25 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. 2026-02-23 H Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Wednesday, 02-25-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-02-19 H Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). 2026-02-19 H Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 523-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. 2026-02-17 H The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Amato, Hartsfield. 2026-02-12 H Bill scheduled to be heard by HSH on Tuesday, 02-17-26 9:30AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-02-09 H Received from Governor re: emergency appropriation (Gov. Msg. No. 3). 2026-01-30 H Referred to HSH, FIN, referral sheet 5 2026-01-28 H Introduced and Pass First Reading. 2026-01-26 H Pending introduction.
Votes
2026-03-23 Senate Health and Human Services: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 5 Nay: 0 2026-04-06 Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended Yea: 12 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-30 H Human Services & Homelessness 2026-02-19 H Finance 2026-03-10 S Health and Human Services 2026-03-30 S Ways and Means
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-29 Introduced 2026-02-18 Amended 2026-03-27 Amended
Subjects
DHS Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program Federal Government Shutdown Emergency Appropriation ($) Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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