Budget & Taxes

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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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 2451: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires each county to implement fare-free access to its public transportation systems. Establishes the Fare-Free Public Transportation Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax on petroleum products to fund fare-free public transportation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases petroleum tax to fund fare-free public transit, directly allocating tax revenue to a public service program per bill's funding mechanism.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases petroleum tax (energy sector) to fund fare-free transit, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill taxes petroleum (Environmental Response Tax) to fund fare-free public transit, reducing vehicle emissions and promoting cleaner transportation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates fare-free public transit funding via new tax, directly advancing public transportation access and sustainability through dedicated funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1981: RELATING TO A PROGRAM TO CHARACTERIZE CARBON SEQUESTRATION POTENTIAL AND GEOTHERMAL AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES STATEWIDE.

Establishes a Geothermal, Carbon Sequestration, and Underground Water Resource Characterization Program via slim hole bores and a related statewide environmental assessment. Appropriates funds for the program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for new geothermal/carbon sequestration program, directly allocating budget resources per bill's funding language.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds geothermal exploration and carbon sequestration program, advancing renewable energy infrastructure and resource characterization per bill's appropriations and subjects.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds carbon sequestration and geothermal programs, promoting clean energy and carbon capture, directly advancing environmental protection goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 2028: RELATING TO LABOR DAY.

HB 2028 establishes a nonrefundable tax credit for employers who provide a paid Labor Day holiday to construction workers. This policy directly affects construction employers (who may claim the credit) and construction workers (who receive a paid holiday). The key provision requires employers to grant a paid holiday on Labor Day to qualify for the tax credit, which is effective July 1, 3000. The bill passed committee in February 2026 with amendments but does not change existing Labor Day holiday requirements for other workers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes refundable tax credit for employers providing paid Labor Day to construction workers, directly providing tax relief aligned with fiscal support for middle-income workers.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates tax credit for employers providing paid Labor Day holiday to construction workers, expanding worker benefits and advancing compensation standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1458: RELATING TO TAXATION OF ADVERTISING REVENUE BY MAJOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

Establishes the Broadband and Digital Equity Special Fund to receive revenues earned by major social media platforms to fund initiatives expanding broadband access and local journalism initiatives. Directs the Department of Taxation to apply the state corporate income tax to advertising revenue earned by major social media platforms if the revenue is derived from content created within the State or from audiences located in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesApplies corporate tax on social media ad revenue, funds broadband/journalism via new appropriation, strengthening tax base and funding public services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDirectly funds broadband expansion and digital equity initiatives via tax on social media ad revenue, aligning with 'expands internet access' and 'promotes digital equity' indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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