Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 7, 2026

HB 1576: RELATING TO FILMING.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production obtains a permit or enters into a memorandum of agreement or understanding with DBEDT to film a visually recorded production at certain locations. Requires DBEDT to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production registers for pre-qualification or is determined to qualify for the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit and simultaneously post notice on a publicly accessible part of its website. Allows individuals to sign up to receive the public notice by electronic mail or postal mail. Provides an exemption for dispositions of lands set aside for filming and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a film production tax credit, directly impacting tax policy and fiscal management per its summary and 'Tax Credit' subject.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 177: RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Authorizes the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt, amend, and repeal rules to develop an evaluation and authorization process to import and transport aquatic livestock in the State. Requires the Aquaculture Program to develop a biological aquatic risk-based framework and biocontainment standards for the aquatic livestock evaluation and authorization process. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for Aquaculture Program development and biocontainment standards, directly addressing budget allocation within fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires biocontainment standards and risk-based framework to prevent ecological harm from aquaculture operations, aligning with environmental protection goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · House May 29, 2026

HB 649: RELATING TO SMALL BOAT HARBORS.

This bill updates rules for fees and permits related to state small boat harbors, affecting harbor operators and users. It revises existing provisions to clarify how charges are assessed and what documentation is required for permits. The changes take effect on July 1, 2030, and aim to streamline administrative processes for small boat harbor management. The legislation does not alter the fundamental structure of harbor operations but focuses on updating fee schedules and permit requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases commercial vessel moorage fees (tax) and appropriates revenue for harbor improvements, directly funding a program through dedicated tax revenue.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2546: RELATING TO TAX CREDIT FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

Amends the tax credit for research activities by: allowing qualifying taxpayers to claim the credit for all qualified research expenses without regard to the amount of expenses for previous years; amending from March 31 to March 1 the deadline for qualified high technology businesses to submit to the Department of Business, Economic development, and Tourism written, certified statements identifying qualified expenditures and the tax amount of tax credits claimed in the previous taxable year; for any taxable year the annual aggregate cap is reached, requiring the credit to be divided between all qualified high technology businesses in proportion to the amount of qualified research expenses claimed; and requiring DBEDT to establish an annual application period and notify each qualified high technology business applicant of the credit amount certified. Applies to costs incurred beginning after 12/31/2025. Repeals the credit on 1/1/2029. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit cap for research activities, providing tax relief to businesses and promoting innovation through expanded fiscal incentives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 939: RELATING TO ALCOHOL.

Defines "low alcohol by volume spirits beverage". Establishes a tax on low alcohol by volume spirits beverages at a rate of $0.93 per wine gallon. Increases small craft producer production limits. Sunsets 12/31/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes new $0.93 tax on low ABV spirits, generating state revenue under liquor tax law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 1002: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires the State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract its review of proposed state projects and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants under certain circumstances. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to publish a draft of its proposed rules and later present its proposed final rules to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 7/1/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for third-party consultant reviews under affordable housing program, directly funding a state program per budget topic.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 26: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Establishes the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force to conduct a study, subject to legislative appropriation, to assess the viability of housing development in transit-oriented development zones or other areas on state or county lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force study, directly allocating state budget resources toward housing development assessment.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force to study development on public lands, appropriates funds for study to advance housing access.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill focuses on transit-oriented development zones, promoting housing integration with public transit infrastructure to advance transportation accessibility and usage.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 1161: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning 7/1/2028, authorizes a county to impose a mileage-based road usage charge on electric vehicles. Provides and requires a county to establish the rate of the road usage charge. Repeals the requirement for the Department of Transportation to establish county subaccounts within the State Highway Fund. Clarifies the disposition of funds for state mileage-based road usage charge. Clarifies the rate and calculation of the state mileage-based road usage charge. Specifies that rental motor vehicle companies may visibly pass the costs of the mileage-based road usage charges to the consumer. Expands allowable uses of the State Highway and Highway Funds. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates mileage-based tax on EVs to fund transportation, ensuring revenue for road maintenance and promoting fiscal responsibility through clarified fund disposition.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes county mileage-based charges on EVs for transportation funding, creating new revenue stream for infrastructure maintenance and highway fund management.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 441: RELATING TO THE HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.

Designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra. Exempts general fund appropriations to the State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra from the requirements of chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds for general operating costs of the Orchestra and for deposit into the State of Hawaii Endowment Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for Hawaii Symphony Orchestra operations and endowment, directly allocating state budget resources per bill's funding provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 1260: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires each county, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation, to establish a Summer Streets Pilot Program that closes vehicular traffic and repurposes roads for pedestrian and cyclist use, outdoor events, and other community-driven activities. Requires each county to submit an initial proposal to the Director of Transportation. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals on 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for the Summer Streets Pilot Program, directly allocating state budget resources to a new initiative, aligning with funding support for public programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAppropriates funds for pedestrian/cyclist infrastructure, repurposing roads from vehicular to community use - directly promotes sustainable transportation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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