Hawaii SB608: Relating to Veterans Rights and Benefits.

What the bill says

A bill for an act relating to veterans rights and benefits.

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS RIGHTS AND BENEFITS. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a risk of misleading or unfair practices associated with the provision of certain services regarding veterans benefits and emphasizes the necessity of establishing requirements and restrictions to protect veteran consumers from potential exploitation. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to regulate persons receiving compensation for providing advice or assistance regarding veterans benefits, except as permitted under federal law. SECTION 2. Chapter 363, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "PART VETERANS BENEFITS §363- Prohibitions. (a) No person shall receive compensation ' or (2) Advising, consulting, or assisting an individual with, 2026-1-421 SB608 SD2 SMA.docx ■■■■ra Page 2 S.B. NO. S.D. any veterans benefits matter, except as permitted under federal law. (b) No person shall receive compensation for referring any individual to another person or (2) Advise, consult, or assist the individual with, any veterans benefits matter. (c) No person shall guarantee, either directly or by implication, that any individual is certain to receive specific veterans benefits or that any individual is certain to receive a specific level, percentage, or amount of veterans benefits. §363- Written agreement required; compensation; limitations. (a) A person seeking to receive compensation for advising, …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Glenn Wakai (D, 15) · primary sponsor
• Henry Aquino (D, 19)
• Stanley Chang (D, 9)
• Michelle Kidani (D, 18)
• Mike Gabbard (D, 21)
• Troy Hashimoto (D, 5)
• Tim Richards (D, SD-004)

Latest actions

1. March 20, 2026: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).
2. March 20, 2026: Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1265-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
3. March 18, 2026: The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Ichiyama, Morikawa, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
4. March 12, 2026: Bill scheduled to be heard by PBS on Wednesday, 03-18-26 9:30AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
5. March 12, 2026: Referred to PBS, CPC, JHA, referral sheet 17
6. March 12, 2026: Pass First Reading
7. March 10, 2026: Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 138) in amended form (SD 2).
8. March 10, 2026: Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
9. March 6, 2026: 48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
10. March 6, 2026: Reported from CPN/JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2925) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).

Votes

• Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1) (March 20, 2026): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
• PBS: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 18, 2026): 9 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2) (March 10, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
• JDC: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 26, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
• CPN: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 26, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
• PSM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (January 29, 2025): 4 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB608?

SB608 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Veterans Rights and Benefits.

What does SB608 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act relating to veterans rights and benefits.

What is the status of SB608?

In committee as of March 20, 2026. Latest action: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on CPC with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). (March 20, 2026).

Who sponsored SB608?

Glenn Wakai (D, 15), with 6 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB608?

On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=608&year=2026