HI HCR138

Requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on implementing fiscal notes in Hawaii's legislative process to increase transparency about bills' financial impact

Forty-four states currently include projected future costs in fiscal notes; Hawaii does not require them, forcing legislators to vote without knowing financial impacts

Study must examine the most appropriate adoption method (statute vs. House Rules), identify necessary staffing and costs, and ensure public availability on the Hawaii State Legislature website

Study should identify implementation barriers including staffing constraints and technology limitations, and examine how states like Colorado, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Texas successfully implemented fiscal notes

Legislative Reference Bureau must submit findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2026 Regular Session convenes