HCR 184

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.C.R. NO.
184
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
requesting the legislative reference bureau, in
consultation with the department of business, economic development, and tourism;
department of human services; and university of hawaii economic research
organization, to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a guaranteed
universal basic income program for working families in hawaii.
���� WHEREAS, Hawaii
consistently ranks among the most expensive states in the nation, with high
costs associated with housing, food, childcare, transportation, and other basic
necessities; and
���� WHEREAS, many
working families in Hawaii continue to experience financial insecurity despite
maintaining employment, as wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of
living; and
���� WHEREAS, many
residents work multiple jobs or extended hours yet still struggle to afford
basic necessities, reflecting the widening gap between wages and the cost of
living in Hawaii; and
���� WHEREAS, in
2017, the Legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 89, which established
the Basic Economic Security Working Group (Working Group) to examine policies
that could provide greater economic security for residents, including universal
basic income concepts; and
���� WHEREAS, the Working
Group was tasked with studying the potential impacts of automation on jobs,
reviewing the State's social safety net, and evaluating strategies that could
strengthen economic security for Hawaii residents; and
���� WHEREAS, although
the Working Group helped elevate discussion of universal basic income and
economic security policies, this did not result in the implementation of a
statewide pilot program or a comprehensive feasibility study; and
���� WHEREAS, since
that time, guaranteed income pilot programs implemented in several cities
across the United States have demonstrated potential benefits, including
improved financial stability, reduced stress, and increased ability for
families to meet essential needs; and
���� WHEREAS, Hawaii's
unique economic conditions, including its high cost of living and geographic
isolation, make it important to continue exploring innovative solutions that
support economic security for working families; now, therefore,
���� BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the
Legislative Reference Bureau, in consultation with the Department of Business,
Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Human Services; and University
of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, is requested to conduct a feasibility
study on establishing a guaranteed universal basic income program for working
families in Hawaii; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to include the
following in the feasibility study:
���� (1)� Potential program structures and eligibility
criteria for working families;
���� (2)� Estimated program costs and possible funding
sources;
���� (3)� Potential impacts on poverty reduction,
economic stability, and workforce participation;
���� (4)� Lessons learned from guaranteed income pilot
programs implemented in other states and municipalities; and
���� (5)� The feasibility of implementing a pilot
program in Hawaii to evaluate the effectiveness of guaranteed income; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report
of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the
Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular
Session of 2027; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau; Director of Business, Economic
Development, and Tourism; Director of Human Services; and Executive Director of
the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization.
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:�
Universal
Basic Income; Feasibility Study; Legislative Reference Bureau