S.B. 655 Summary

• Establishes a sunset law for Hawaii's principal state departments with staggered repeal dates ranging from June 30, 2027 to June 30, 2041, requiring legislative action to continue departments beyond their sunset dates.

• Requires the state auditor to conduct comprehensive reviews of departments before their repeal dates, evaluating performance against 15 specified criteria including operational efficiency, mission achievement, regulatory processes, and federal funding impacts.

• Mandates departments submit performance reports to the auditor by September 1 of the odd year before repeal, with auditor findings and recommendations due to the legislature at least 20 days before the regular session in the repeal year.

• Allows the legislature to continue a repealed department for up to 12 additional years during the regular session before repeal, or terminate it earlier than scheduled.

• Establishes termination procedures including a one-year wind-down period, transfer of assets and records, protection of existing bond obligations and contracts, and lapse of unobligated appropriations.