SB 2935 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

SB 2935 exempts sales of feminine hygiene products from the general excise tax, meaning manufacturers and retailers selling these items will not pay this tax on the income from those sales. The exemption directly affects businesses that sell products like tampons, pads, and menstrual cups. The bill takes effect on January 30, 2050, and would remove a tax burden currently applied to these essential health products. This change is a specific policy adjustment to the tax code, not a broader health or funding measure.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2935 → SB2935_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to remove exemptions for groceries, nonprescription drugs, medical supplies, and diapers, leaving only an exemption for feminine hygiene products. The effective date was changed from January 1, 2027, to January 30, 2050, and the bill was reattributed to a different sponsor.

Scope change

The bill's scope was significantly narrowed from covering four categories of tax-exempt items to covering only one category.

SCOPE

Removed the tax exemption for groceries eligible for SNAP and WIC programs.

Removed the tax exemption for nonprescription drugs and medical supplies.

Removed the tax exemption for diapers.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from January 1, 2027, to January 30, 2050.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill title and sponsor information to reflect changes in the legislative process.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2573) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to HHS, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors