Hawaii Senate Bill SB1320

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/30/23

Caption

Relating To Funding Adjustments For State Programs.

Impact

The bill is intended to allow the state departments some leeway in managing their finances by mitigating the effects of the budget adjustments made in prior sessions. The proposed appropriations focus on ensuring that already established programs can continue their operations without disruption. Thus, despite not increasing overall budgetary allocations, SB1320 aims to stabilize funding allocations, thereby facilitating efficient management of existing resources within the state's departments.

Summary

SB1320 is a legislative act introduced in the Hawaii State Senate, aimed at addressing funding adjustments for state programs due to a budget shortfall. The bill proposes emergency appropriations that will provide additional general funds for the fiscal year 2022-2023, filling the gap created by the inability of various departments to transfer funds between their programs following the repeal of a previous budget provision. This change has left many programs facing operating shortfalls, particularly during the third quarter of the fiscal year.

Contention

While the bill is positioned as a necessary measure to prevent operational disruptions within state programs, there may be differing opinions on its implications. Supporters may regard it as an essential tool for financial governance, ensuring that agencies can adapt to changing operational realities. Conversely, critics might argue that the reliance on emergency appropriations reflects deeper systemic issues in budget management and planning, particularly in the context of sustained funding for vital programs. There could also be debates regarding the transparency and accountability of how the appropriated emergency funds are managed across different state programs.