H.C.R. No. 148 Summary

• Urges the U.S. Government to seek reimbursement from the Federated States of Micronesia for services provided in Hawaii to COFA (Compact of Free Association) migrants

• Notes that the 1986 Compact grants citizens of COFA states the right to freely travel to, work, and reside in the U.S. without durational limit, resulting in significant COFA migration to Hawaii

• States that Hawaii continues to provide state-funded services to COFA migrants despite federal ineligibility under the 1997 Personal Responsibility Work Opportunities Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which excluded most non-citizens from federally-funded assistance programs

• Acknowledges that Congress set aside $30,000,000 in grant funds for "affected jurisdictions" like Hawaii, but these funds are insufficient to cover the additional costs incurred by the state

• Directs transmission of the resolution to the President, Congressional delegation, state Governor, and relevant state department heads