HI SB3029

Appropriates general funds for fiscal year 2015-2016 to cover administrative and operating expenses of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, in response to a circuit court ruling that the legislature has been constitutionally underfunding the department since 1978.

Appropriates additional general funds for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the same department expenses, with this appropriation taking effect July 1, 2016.

Acknowledges the Hawaii Supreme Court's 2012 decision in Nelson v. Hawaiian Homes Commission that determined the adequacy of state funding for the department is subject to judicial review and not a political question.

References the November 27, 2015 circuit court order finding the department received only $9.6 million in general funds for fiscal year 2015-2016 despite requesting $28.5 million, and determining the legislature must appropriate more than $28 million annually.

Specifies these appropriations are in addition to amounts previously appropriated to the department under Act 119, Session Laws of Hawaii 2015.