Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2568: RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Increases the fee amount collected from taxpayers claiming the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit and requires a portion of funds collected to be used to support the vertical film industry in the State. Expands the funding sources of the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund to include revenues received by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from managing the Hawaii Film Studio. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Repeals 1/1/2033. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases fee for film tax credit and allocates collected funds to support vertical film industry development, directly funding a specific sector via tax revenue allocation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1879: RELATING TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

Establishes within the Department of Transportation a subsidized youth transit program for youth who are residents of the State, to be coordinated with the counties. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules, expand eligibility, and consult with the Department of Education on best practices, under certain conditions. Establishes the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires biannual evaluations of the new program and Special Fund. Allocates funds from the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Appropriates funds into and out of the Subsidized Youth Transit Program Special Fund. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates tax revenues (environmental response, energy, food security) to fund a new public transit program special fund, directly advancing budgetary appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates environmental response tax to youth transit program, reducing emissions by promoting public transit use.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates environmental/energy tax funds to establish fare-free youth transit program, expanding public transit access and funding within DOT.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2044: RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY.

Expands programming and training for the comprehensive offender reentry program under the department of corrections and rehabilitation to reduce the rate of recidivism and increase inmate marketability. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for offender reentry programs, directly allocating budget resources to fund essential correctional services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands offender reentry programs to reduce recidivism, directly aligning with criminal justice reform goals and funding rehabilitation initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1617: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Reestablishes the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund. Renames the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax, also known as the barrel tax, as the Environmental Response, Energy, Carbon Emissions, and Food Security Tax; gradually increases barrel tax rates; and allocates portions of barrel tax revenues to the Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund, Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund, Airport Revenue Fund, and Boating Special Fund. Establishes a refundable Carbon Cashback Tax Credit and appropriates funds to the Department of Taxation to administer the tax credit. Establishes the Carbon Emissions Tax and Dividend Special Fund to be used in the administration of the barrel tax and Carbon Cashback Tax Credit and for public awareness of the Carbon Cashback Tax Credit. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new carbon tax with refundable credit for most taxpayers, increasing taxes while offsetting impacts, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding environmental programs.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyImposes carbon emissions tax to reduce fossil fuel reliance, provides tax credit to offset costs, directly advances clean energy transition through emissions pricing.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentImposes carbon emissions tax with refundable credit to reduce emissions while offsetting taxpayer burden; establishes dedicated funds for environmental response and carbon management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1611: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes a yearly reduction in the general excise tax rate on groceries and nonprescription drugs on a tiered schedule until 1/1/2034, when a full general excise tax exemption applies. Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the counties from imposing a county surcharge on groceries and nonprescription drugs. Beginning 1/1/2028, provides a general excise tax exemption on the wholesale sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces general excise tax on essential items (groceries, nonprescription drugs), providing tax relief for lower-income households per tax reduction indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1884: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate intersections for the installation of leading pedestrian intervals, accessible pedestrian signals, and other safety improvements, as necessary, at state-owned or operated pedestrian signal heads. Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the counties, to develop a program that allows pedestrians and community members to request the installation of accessible pedestrian signals at specific intersections. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for pedestrian safety program, directly funding a public service under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires safety features and funds pedestrian signal installations, enhancing transportation safety infrastructure per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1978: RELATING TO THE WEST HAWAII REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

HB 1978 allocates state funds for planning, design, site work, and construction of a new outpatient care center in North Kona, Hawaii. The bill directly affects residents in the North Kona area who rely on outpatient health services, aiming to expand access to care. Key provisions include funding specific phases of the facility's development, from initial planning to physical construction. This is a funding measure focused on infrastructure, not a policy change affecting broader healthcare regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for outpatient care center construction, directly funding public health infrastructure through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds for outpatient care center construction, expanding healthcare access in North Kona per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2400: RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates funds for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands projects eligible for general fund revenues that are generated by increases in transient accommodations tax collections and intended to be expended equally across projects related to natural resources, climate resilience, and destination management. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates transient accommodations tax revenue for DHHL projects in natural resources/climate resilience, directly advancing fiscal allocation within budget/tax framework.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds natural resources and climate resilience projects via DHHL, directly advancing environmental conservation and resilience as specified in the bill's allocation language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1996: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts from the sale of hearing aids received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for necessary medical devices, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aid sales from tax, reducing costs and improving access to a healthcare service (hearing aids) for patients.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2079: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

HB 2079 reestablishes a state income tax credit for property owners who upgrade, convert, or connect their cesspools (sewage disposal systems) to public sewer lines or alternative systems. This tax credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, directly benefiting homeowners and businesses in areas reliant on cesspools. The key provision is the reinstatement of a financial incentive to encourage the replacement of older cesspools, which are often environmentally concerning. The bill does not create new regulations but provides a tax benefit for specific infrastructure upgrades. It is currently pending committee review for potential passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates income tax credit for cesspool upgrades, providing tax relief to property owners and promoting environmental compliance through fiscal incentive.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes cesspool upgrades to reduce groundwater pollution from outdated systems, directly addressing environmental protection through wastewater management.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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