SENATE REVIEWS LEGISLATIVE BUDGET

On May 14, the Senate was briefed on the State Administration’s proposal for $1.25 billion appropriated under the federal Coronavirus Aid Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act. Senate Bill 75 SD2 HD1 passed out of the House Finance Committee and will now head to the full House for a vote next week. Concerns remain regarding how agencies will spend these funds, such as economic support to those most affected during this pandemic.

Under the CARES Act, Hawai'i has been given a total of $862,823,978 to support the State and smaller Counties. A separate allocation of $387,176,021 was provided to the City & County of Honolulu. The Senate has proposed allocating the funds in a responsible, prudent and conservative expenditure approach to meet both statewide and county needs. Below are some highlights.
$175 million to support the various counties;

$40 million for AG enforcement, PPE, payroll, and other department requests;
$36 million for thermal screening at the airports;
$8 million to DLIR for IT Modernization, UI Program Enhancements, and facility and staff support;
$1 million for the PUA program (UI for independent contractors & GIG workers);
$14 million to the DOH for contact tracing/testing, vaccination and contract tracing staff, investigation and infection control, PPE and supplies;
$637 million to be deposited into the state's rainy day fund to be allocated in subsequent sessions.