Hawaii legislative leaders have decided who will serve on a conference committee to hash out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the state budget over the next few weeks.

The House and Senate disagree on whether to fund 1,000 vacant positions, how much to invest in a broad IT initiative and if it’s time for Hawaii to start a publicly funded preschool program.

The Senate on Thursday passed a $24 billion biennium state budget. The House’s two-year state budget rang in at $23.3 billion, roughly $600 million less than Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s proposal.

The House conferees are: Reps. Luke (chair), Nishimoto, Johanson, Cullen, Hashem, Ing, Jordan, Kobayashi, Lowen, Morikawa, Onishi, Takayama, Tokioka, Woodson, Yamashitsa, Fukumoto and Ward.

The Senate conferees are: Sens. Ige (chair), Kidani, Chun Oakland, Dela Cruz, English, Espero, Kahele, Keith-Agaran, Kouchi, Ruderman, L. Thielen, Tokuda and Slom.

Track the state budget bill, House Bill 200, by clicking here.

— Nathan Eagle