HawaiiHB 15182025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)HouseWALLET

RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Sponsored By: David A. Tarnas (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Summary

By 2/28/27, requires the Department of Human Services, upon obtaining a federal waiver, to establish a pre-release Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process for inmates nearing release. Allows all individuals convicted of an offense involving the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance to apply for SNAP benefits, regardless of treatment status. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

DHSSNAPIncarcerated IndividualsFelony Drug OffendersPre-Release Application ProcessHHS, JDC/WAM

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More SNAP access after incarceration

People in Hawaii with felony convictions for controlled substance offenses can apply for SNAP, regardless of treatment status. They must still meet other SNAP rules. Beginning January 1, 2028, people in jail or prison who are scheduled for release can apply before release. The Department of Human Services must get any needed federal approval, and benefits cannot be issued while someone is incarcerated.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • David A. Tarnas

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Terez Amato

    Democratic • House

  • Tina Nakada Grandinetti

    Democratic • House

  • Greggor Ilagan

    Democratic • House

  • Kim Coco Iwamoto

    Democratic • House

  • KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Matthias Kusch

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Marten

    Democratic • House

  • Amy A. Perruso

    Democratic • House

  • Mahina Poepoe

    Democratic • House

  • Kanani Souza

    Republican • House

  • Gregg Takayama

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 238 • No: 0

House vote • 5/6/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 51 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/29/2026

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....

Yes: 2 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2026

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/14/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 25 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...

Yes: 13 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/8/2026

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2026

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...

Yes: 3 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/26/2026

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...

Yes: 16 • No: 0

House vote • 2/18/2026

The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote • 2/10/2026

Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on PBS...

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2026

The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Act 028, 05/22/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1128).

    5/22/2026Senate
  2. Act 028, on 05/22/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1128).

    5/22/2026House
  3. Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).

    5/8/2026Senate
  4. Transmitted to Governor.

    5/7/2026House
  5. Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.

    5/6/2026Senate
  6. Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).

    5/6/2026House
  7. Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).

    5/6/2026House
  8. Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 112-26) as amended in (CD 1).

    5/1/2026House
  9. Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.

    5/1/2026House
  10. Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 112-26).

    5/1/2026Senate
  11. 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26

    5/1/2026Senate
  12. The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Belatti, Hartsfield, Iwamoto, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

    4/29/2026House
  13. The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Rhoads.

    4/29/2026Senate
  14. Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-29-26 2:30PM in conference room 329.

    4/28/2026House
  15. Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Rhoads, Kanuha Co-Chairs.

    4/27/2026Senate
  16. Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 778).

    4/27/2026House
  17. Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Tuesday, 04-28-26 2:30PM in conference room 329.

    4/27/2026House
  18. House Conferees Appointed: Marten, Belatti, Hartsfield Co-Chairs; Iwamoto, Garcia.

    4/20/2026House
  19. Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).

    4/20/2026Senate
  20. Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).

    4/17/2026Senate
  21. House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).

    4/16/2026House
  22. Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

    4/14/2026Senate
  23. Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 579) in amended form (SD 1).

    4/14/2026House
  24. Reported from JDC/WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3787) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.

    4/10/2026Senate
  25. One Day Notice 04-14-26.

    4/10/2026Senate

Bill Text

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