Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2340: MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Makes an emergency appropriation for fiscal year 2025–2026 to the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates emergency funds to expand Maui wildfire health programs, directly increasing state budget spending for essential public services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2399: RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

HB 2399 appropriates state funds to the State Public Charter School Commission specifically for prekindergarten-only public charter schools. This bill directly affects prekindergarten-only public charter schools by providing them with dedicated state funding through the Commission. The key mechanism is a budget allocation for operational support, without changing eligibility rules or student enrollment requirements. The bill is currently in early stages, having been introduced on January 27, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds to prekindergarten charter schools via Commission, directly funding public education programs under Budget & Taxes category.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds to prekindergarten public charter schools, directly increasing funding and supporting early education access without restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1525: RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Appropriates funds to: (1) the counties for more voter service centers for in-person voting; (2) the Office of Elections to print and mail the digital voter information guide to all registered voters; and (3) the Office of Elections to support a public outreach and engagement campaign to encourage greater voter participation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates funds for election administration services, directly supporting budgetary allocation for public services under appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2147: PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES VIII AND X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE ON RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Proposes amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution to repeal the counties' exclusive power to tax real property, and to authorize the Legislature to establish a state surcharge on real property taxes levied by the counties on certain residential investment properties, for the purpose of helping to fund public education for all of Hawaii's children and adults. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes state surcharge on residential investment property taxes to fund public education, increasing state revenue for essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProposes constitutional amendment to impose surcharge on investment properties specifically to increase public education funding, directly advancing education finance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2153: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HB 2153 establishes the Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program, which provides financial incentives to help retain law enforcement officers. The bill allocates state funds specifically for these retention bonuses, directly affecting eligible law enforcement officers in Hawaii. The key mechanism is the state appropriating dedicated funding to cover the bonus payments. This policy change creates a formal, funded program to support officer retention efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for law enforcement retention bonuses, directly increasing budgetary support for public safety services via appropriation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds Kūpaʻa Law Enforcement Retention Bonus Program to retain officers, directly supporting law enforcement within criminal justice through state-funded incentives.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides state-funded retention bonuses for law enforcement officers, expanding compensation benefits for this specific workforce group.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1811: RELATING TO EDUCATOR STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT.

Establishes the Educator Student Loan Repayment Program to provide for the repayment of qualified student loans for certain educators in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for educator loan repayment program, increasing public service funding under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes loan repayment program for educators, appropriating funds to support teacher retention and reduce financial burden on educators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2156: RELATING TO TAXATION.

HB 2156 would raise the income or transaction thresholds that require businesses to file two specific taxes: the General Excise Tax (applied to most business activities) and the Transient Accommodations Tax (for short-term rentals like hotels or vacation homes). Businesses currently obligated to file below the new, higher thresholds would no longer need to file if their annual activity remains under the increased limit. This change directly affects small businesses and short-term rental operators who currently meet the lower filing requirements. The bill is pending committee referral as of January 2026, with no specific dollar amounts provided in the abstract.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRaises tax filing thresholds for small businesses, reducing compliance burden and providing tax relief per bill's focus on General Excise and Transient Accommodations Taxes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2337: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Removes county-specific expenditure restrictions for funds in the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund. Requires unencumbered and unexpended revenues from the Automated Speed Enforcement Systems Program Special Fund in excess of a certain amount as of June 30 of each year to lapse to the general fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires unspent special fund revenues to lapse to general fund, promoting fiscal responsibility by preventing idle funds and making money available for broader budget use.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 1868: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a working group to revise the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation's Qualified Allocation Plan and propose revisions to the prioritization of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund and the terms of loans made from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for housing finance revisions, reports, and LIHTC management, directly funding housing affordability programs under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Working Group to revise housing fund allocation, prioritizes Rental Housing Revolving Fund, appropriates funds, and requires revisions to advance affordable housing programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1602: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

HB 1602 allocates funds to create one full-time staff position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The bill establishes a grant specialist role focused on administering grant programs. This funding directly affects the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity staff, enabling them to manage grant-related work. The bill is procedural, specifically authorizing budget resources for a new position, with no broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates funds for a new grant specialist position in Agriculture Department, directly supporting budget appropriations for departmental operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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