HI SB2822

Hawaii is the only state without an independent office producing fiscal notes; the Office of the Legislative Analyst established in 1990 has never been funded or staffed.

Requires the legislature to appoint the legislative analyst by majority vote of each house in joint session for a four-year term, with salary matching the director of the legislative reference bureau.

Adds a new requirement for the office to prepare fiscal notes on all fiscal bills before any committee recommends passage, including dollar amounts, revenue/expenditure impacts, and long-range implications.

Prohibits legislative committees from making decisions on fiscal bills without first receiving and reviewing a completed fiscal note.

Appropriates unspecified general fund amounts for fiscal years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 for office operations, salaries, and equipment, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.