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HRS §37-31

State budget limits and savings rules

This section says that the money the legislature gives to a state department is the most it can spend for that time, unless the law says otherwise. It also says the governor and finance director have powers to save money by watching spending and managing departments more efficiently.

state agencies

The statute, as written — Intent and policy

It is declared to be the policy and intent of the legislature that the total appropriations made by it, or the total of any budget approved by it, for any department or establishment, shall be deemed to be the maximum amount authorized to meet the requirements of the department or establishment for the period of the appropriation, excepting as may otherwise be provided by law, and that the governor and the director of finance should be given the powers granted by sections 37-32 to 37-41 in order that savings may be effected by careful supervision throughout each appropriation period with due regard to changing conditions; and by promoting more economic and efficient management of state departments and establishments. [L Sp 1959 1st, c 12, pt of §3; am L Sp 1959 2d, c 1, §14; am L 1963, c 114, §1; Supp, §35-19; HRS §37-31]
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§37-32 Quarterly spending periods

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.