Senator Mike Gabbard

May Newsletter

Vol. 20 Issue 5

Agriculture and Environment Committee, Chair

Judiciary Committee, Vice Chair

Government Operations Committee, Vice Chair

Aloha e friends,

I hope you and your ‘ohana are doing well and had a nice Mother’s Day weekend. As we move into May and get ready for Memorial Day later this month, it’s a good time to gather with loved ones, recharge, and most importantly, remember to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives to protect our freedoms.

We just wrapped up the 2026 Legislative Session on May 8. It’s been a busy time at the Capitol, and because of all the conference meetings and end-of-session activities, we didn’t hold a Listen Story community meeting in April.

I’m looking forward to catching up with you at my next Listen Story on Saturday, May 30, from 9:00–10:00 AM at Kapolei High School (Teachers’ Lounge), where I’ll be giving a full legislative wrap-up.



An online option will also be available—if you’re unable to attend in person, please email me to RSVP and I’ll send you the Zoom link.

Below is a quick preview of some of the major highlights from this year’s session. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out at (808) 586-6830 or sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov.

You can also stay connected with me on social media: Instagram (@SenatorMikeGabbard), Facebook, YouTube, or X. 

Wishing you and your ‘ohana all the best,

Me ke aloha pumehana,

2026 Legislative Wrap Up

Sen. Gabbard shares a laugh during the final day of conference committee negotiations at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on May 1, 2026.

·        Sen. Gabbard introduces Chief Justice Vladimir Devens in the Senate Chamber on April 30, 2026.

Senator Mike Gabbard on the senate floor for Sine Die (End of 2025 Regular Session) on May 2, 2025.

As you can see in the chart below, 2,459 total bills were introduced this session. This is pretty typical for a full session. Out of those, 268 bills passed out of the Senate and House Chambers. As of May 8, the Governor has just begun reviewing them, with most still pending action — sitting on his desk, patiently waiting for his next move. So, what happens next?

What Happens Next...

• If the Governor signs the bill by July 15, 2026, the bill becomes law and is given an act number.
• If the Governor doesn’t sign or veto by July 15, the bill automatically becomes law without his signature.
• If the Governor intends to veto a bill, he must notify the Legislature by June 30, 2026.
• If a bill is vetoed, it won’t become law unless the Legislature overrides the veto during a special session by a two thirds vote in both chambers.
• The Legislature may convene in a special session to consider veto overrides after the Governor returns vetoed bills to the Legislature by July 15, 2026. Stay tuned — it’s not over yet!



Stay tuned — it’s not over yet!

Rep. Chun and Sen. Gabbard during the joint informational briefing on the March Kona Low storm impacts at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on April 1, 2026.

Want to learn more about any of these bills? Visit capitol.hawaii.gov and type the bill number into the search bar for full bill details, testimony, hearing notices, and status updates.

Having just completed my 10^th year as Chair of the Senate Agriculture & Environment Committee, one of my biggest priorities is protecting our ʻāina and supporting local food systems. This session, I introduced and supported several bills aimed at strengthening Hawaiʻi’s food security, combating invasive species, and building a more sustainable future for our islands. Here are a few highlights:

Sen. Gabbard during a Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee hearing at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on April 9, 2026.

AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT (AEN) BILLS THAT FAILED

Sen. Richards and Sen. Gabbard during an Agriculture and Environment informational briefing on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity on April 15, 2026.

NON-AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT (NON-AEN) BILLS THAT PASSED FINAL READING

Below are some of the bills that passed final reading and are awaiting the Governor's signature, and those that failed, that I thought might be of interest to you: 

Sen. Gabbard applauds during floor session at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on March 6, 2026.

NON-AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT (NON-AEN) BILLS THAT FAILED

Alright, not everything I introduced made it all the way through this session — and that’s okay. Some things take time, and a few of these were meant to start the conversation. Here’s a rundown of the non-AEN bills I introduced that didn’t pass, and what they were all about:

Sen. Gabbard during floor session in the Senate Chamber on March 20, 2025.

OTHER KEY BILLS THAT PASSED THIS SESSION

While I primarily focused this session on agriculture, environment, food security, and West Oʻahu community priorities, I also wanted to share a few additional bills that passed this year that I thought may be of interest to the community. These are measures I didn’t introduce, but ones that stood out to me because of their potential impact on Hawaiʻi residents and our future.

Senators Richards, Gabbard, Keohokalole, Fukunaga, and McKelvey during the joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Agriculture and Environment informational briefing on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity on April 15, 2026.

2026 Budget Overview 

HB1800 - The State Budget Bill

Members of the Senate Ways and Means (WAM) Committee and House Finance (FIN) Committee after passing HB1800 CD1 on April 30, 2026, during Conference.

Here’s the budget overview for the upcoming fiscal biennium (Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027).

This measure includes funding for operations, capital improvement projects (CIP), and major statewide investments to strengthen critical areas like housing, education, health care, agriculture, and transportation.

The bill includes:

·        General Fund

o  Fiscal Year 2026: $10.42 billion 

o  Fiscal Year 2027: $10.63 billion  

·        All Means of Financing

o  Fiscal Year 2026: $19.77 billion 

o  Fiscal Year 2027: $20.31 billion

This budget focused on five main goals:

1.   Lower the cost of living

2.   Protect core government services & safety net

3.   Invest in infrastructure and public assets

4.   Strengthen economic development & resilience

5.   Support housing, education, and public safety

Department of Agriculture Budget Highlights

•      $9 million for invasive species response and biosecurity implementation

•      $1.85 million + 10 positions in partnership with CTAHR to protect Hawaiʻi agriculture.

•      $7 million for the Food and Product Innovation Network

•      $1.2 million for a forage drying facility

•      $250,000 for a cattle slaughterhouse project

•      $5.7 million for wildfire risk reduction and Firewise programs

•      $1.5 million for urban heat reduction projects

•      $1.4 million for public safety improvements in state forest reserves

•      $8 million for Ala Moana beach restoration

•      $2 million for cesspool mitigation projects

Senate District 21 (Kapolei, Makakilo, Kalaeloa) Budget Highlights

📍 Community & Education Investments

• UH West Oʻahu
• $319,000 + 3 positions for the Business Administration Program
• Department of Education
• $1.06 million + 26 positions for regional kitchen operations
• $675,000 for statewide career foundations curriculum access
• $400,000 for an alternative learning program facility in the Nānākuli Waiʻanae Complex
• Hawaiʻi State Public Library System
• $1.5 million for statewide library security services
• Early Learning Programs
• 3 positions added to strengthen statewide early learning coordination and planning

🏥 Health & Housing

• Kauluokahai Hawaiian Homestead Homes
• $23 million in federal revolving loan funding through DHHL
• Kupuna Housing Support
• $2.27 million + 2 positions for the Rent Supplement Program for kupuna
• Healthcare Services
• Over $75 million added for Medicaid expenditures and statewide healthcare support
• Kahuku Medical Center
• $1.4 million for core clinical services

Sen. Gabbard in his office following Sine Die, the final day of the 2026 Regular Session, on May 8, 2026, standing in front of a map of Senate District 21.

⚖️ Law Enforcement & Safety

• Capitol District Security
• $1.5 million + 3 positions for Capitol security operations
• Conservation & Resource Enforcement
• $2.3 million for statewide conservation enforcement efforts
• Disaster Preparedness
• $4 million for hurricane refuge facility assessments
• $600,000 for statewide disaster preparedness projects

🌊 Infrastructure & Transportation

• Kalaeloa Reed Laboratory Project
• $915,000 for the Special Land and Development Fund
• Oʻahu Railway & Land
• $750,000 for railroad maintenance
• Transportation Facility Improvements
• $1 million for statewide repairs and maintenance of transportation facilities
• Waiahole Water System
• Nearly $4 million for debt service support

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

Each Senator is allowed to submit three Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding requests each session for major community infrastructure needs. While only one of my CIP requests was approved this year, it was a very significant investment for West Oʻahu: $73 million to begin construction of a new elementary school in East Kapolei. This project will help make room for our fast-growing community and support local families and students for generations to come.

Below is a summary of district related CIP and Grant in Aid funding that was approved this session.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS REQUESTED:

• East Kapolei elementary school - $73,000,000 to begin construction

CIP GRANTS-IN-AID PROJECTS:

• Blood Bank of Hawaii, Kapolei
• Purchase and installation of Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi’s (BBH) 200+ commercial-grade rooftop solar panels and all related costs - $200,000
• United States Veterans Initiative, Barber's Point
• Complete high-priority tenant repairs and essential facility maintenance - $400,000

Many Mahalo's

Senator Gabbard and his staff on February 5, 2026. (L-R: Donna Lay – Assistant Committee Clerk, Meg Turner – Office Manager, Sen. Gabbard, Nadia – Committee Clerk, and Melanie June – Community Liaison)

Now that the 2026 Legislative Session has officially ended, I want to send a heartfelt mahalo to everyone who helped get things across the finish line — my incredible staff, our Agriculture and Environment committee ‘ohana, community advocates, agency partners, and fellow legislators.

From tackling invasive species and landfill siting to strengthening local food systems and expanding support for our keiki — this session took a lot of teamwork. I’m proud of what we accomplished together and deeply grateful for the dedication, late nights, and aloha that made it happen.



Mahalo nui for showing up with heart and helping us move Hawai‘i forward.