THE SENATE S.R. NO. 186 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A TWENTY PERCENT DISCOUNT ON CERTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES FOR LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME ELDERS IN THE STATE.
THE SENATE S.R. NO. 186
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
THE SENATE
S.R. NO.
186
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
SENATE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A TWENTY PERCENT DISCOUNT ON CERTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES FOR LOW- TO MODERATE-INCOME ELDERS IN THE STATE.
WHEREAS, many elders in the State struggle with Hawaii's high cost of living; and WHEREAS, elders who age at home pay an average of $4,814 per month for home healthcare costs, in addition to other expenses such as housing, utilities, and food; and WHEREAS, the financial burden on elders can lead to increased stress, reduced quality of life, and difficulty in affording essential needs; and WHEREAS, in 2010, the Philippines implemented a senior citizen discount program under Republic Act 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, to alleviate the financial strain on elders by providing a twenty percent discount on food, housing, utility services, and other goods and services; and WHEREAS, implementing a similar discount program in Hawaii would provide significant financial relief to the State's elderly residents, ensuring that they can afford basic necessities while maintaining their independence and dignity; and WHEREAS, the Department of Human Services is well-positioned to assess the feasibility of such a program and determine its potential benefits and implementation challenges; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Human Services is requested to conduct a study to assess the feasibility of offering a twenty percent discount for all low- and moderate-income residents aged sixty-five and older on expenditures for: (1) Housing, including subsidized rent or public housing; (2) Utilities; (3) Food; and (4) Prescription drugs; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services is requested to 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 2026; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services. OFFERED BY: _____________________________ Report Title: Department of Human Services; Senior Citizen Discount; Study; Report
WHEREAS, many elders in the State struggle with Hawaii's high cost of living; and
WHEREAS, elders who age at home pay an average of $4,814 per month for home healthcare costs, in addition to other expenses such as housing, utilities, and food; and
WHEREAS, the financial burden on elders can lead to increased stress, reduced quality of life, and difficulty in affording essential needs; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, the Philippines implemented a senior citizen discount program under Republic Act 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, to alleviate the financial strain on elders by providing a twenty percent discount on food, housing, utility services, and other goods and services; and
WHEREAS, implementing a similar discount program in Hawaii would provide significant financial relief to the State's elderly residents, ensuring that they can afford basic necessities while maintaining their independence and dignity; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Human Services is well-positioned to assess the feasibility of such a program and determine its potential benefits and implementation challenges; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Human Services is requested to conduct a study to assess the feasibility of offering a twenty percent discount for all low- and moderate-income residents aged sixty-five and older on expenditures for:
(1) Housing, including subsidized rent or public housing;
(2) Utilities;
(3) Food; and
(4) Prescription drugs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Human Services is requested to 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 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Human Services.
OFFERED BY: _____________________________
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Department of Human Services; Senior Citizen Discount; Study; Report