SB 547 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO WATER CONSERVATION.

Summary

Incentivizes the installation and use of gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators in the State by establishing an income tax credit to be administered by the Department of Taxation. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish a rebate program. Requires the State Building Code Council to adopt certain standards on gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Sub-Topics: Recycling

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Feb 14, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB547 → SB547_SD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a rebate program alongside the existing income tax credit, creating a two-pronged incentive system for water conservation technology. The amendment also expanded the definition of low-income homeowners to include income and residency requirements, adjusted rebate amounts and percentages for different property types, and added a five-year limit on carrying forward unused tax credits.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely providing an income tax credit to also establishing a rebate program administered by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

FISCAL

Added a new rebate program administered by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to complement the existing income tax credit.

Adjusted rebate amounts and percentages: residential rebates are now 30% or $7,500 (was 25% or $10,000), commercial rebates are 25% or $35,000 (was 20% or $50,000), and low-income homeowner rebates are 40% or $10,000.

ELIGIBILITY

Refined the definition of low-income homeowner to require both residency at the property as principal residence and adjusted gross income at or below 80% of area median income.

REQUIREMENT

Added a five-year limit on carrying forward unused tax credits beyond the initial year of claim.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Area median income', 'NSF/ANSI 350-certified gray water recycling system effluent', and 'Water conservation system'.

TIMELINE

Clarified that the tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, while the rebate program and building code standards take effect on July 1, 2050.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 14, 2025

Committee

Reported from AEN/PSM/EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 635) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDT were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Kim.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN/PSM/EDT has scheduled a public hearing on 02-10-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to AEN/PSM/EDT, WAM.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

6 primary · 1 co-sponsor