Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2446: RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

SB 2446 increases the number of associate judges on the Intermediate Court of Appeals from six to seven and appropriates funds for this change. This bill directly affects the court's staffing structure by adding one judicial position. The key mechanism is a simple numerical adjustment to the court's authorized positions, funded through the state budget. It does not alter judicial procedures, case handling, or substantive law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds to add a judicial position, directly increasing budget allocation for court staffing under 'Appropriation ($)' subject.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2550: RELATING TO SCHOOL MODERNIZATION.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a school modernization initiative through a capital improvement project planning database for school facilities statewide. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for school modernization initiative, directly funding public infrastructure under state budget authority.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for school modernization initiative via capital improvement database, directly improving school infrastructure and facilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2551: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

HB 2551 allocates state funding for the Area-Wide Fruit Fly Suppression Program, which targets fruit fly pests threatening agricultural crops. The bill directly affects fruit and vegetable growers in affected regions by providing resources to manage these pests. Its key provision is appropriating specific funds to support the existing suppression program, including monitoring and control measures. This funding aims to protect agricultural production without creating new regulations or altering existing program structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds ($1.2M) for Area-Wide Fruit Fly Suppression Program, directly funding agricultural protection without tax changes or program cuts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 1972: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates family caregiver tax credit (tax relief) and appropriates funds, aligning with support indicators for middle-income tax relief and fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFamily caregiver tax credit reduces financial burden on unpaid caregivers, improving access to in-home healthcare support for patients.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2606: RELATING TO OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Establishes a working group within the State Building Code Council to develop proposals for an off-site construction program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for a working group to develop off-site construction proposals, directly allocating state budget resources for program development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

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

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2321: RELATING TO THE TWO-LINED SPITTLEBUG.

Establishes a two-year Two-Lined Spittlebug Response Pilot Program to mitigate and control the spread of the two-lined spittlebug. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for a pilot program addressing invasive species, aligning with funding essential programs under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2024: RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES.

Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to use public-private partnerships for the development of public school facilities, including facilities at public charter schools. Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a pilot program to develop three new public schools in areas based on demonstrated need through public-private partnerships. Requires the approval of the Department of Education prior to the development of a public school for the pilot program on Department lands. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for charter school facilities through public-private partnerships, directly funding public education infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for new public schools in high-need areas via public-private partnerships, directly improving school infrastructure and access per education topic description.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 1970: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII CANCER CENTER.

HB 1970 provides funding for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center's Hawaii Tumor Registry, which tracks cancer cases across the state. The bill directly supports the Cancer Center by enabling its data collection and analysis efforts. Key provisions include appropriating state funds to maintain and expand the registry's operations for cancer surveillance. This policy change focuses on strengthening statewide cancer data systems without altering patient care protocols or insurance coverage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for Hawaii Tumor Registry operations, directly funding a public health program per bill's summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds Hawaii Tumor Registry for cancer surveillance, directly supporting public health data collection and cancer surveillance programs without altering care protocols.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HCR 83: SUPPORTING THE USE OF THE DWELLING UNIT REVOLVING FUND TO FUND PREDEVELOPMENT COSTS FOR ANY GOVERNMENT AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT THROUGH INTERIM LOANS TO EXPEDITE THE DELIVERY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO HAWAII'S RESIDENTS.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that expresses support for using existing funds to help finance early-stage costs for government affordable housing projects in Hawaii. It specifically endorses allowing interim loans from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to cover predevelopment expenses like site analysis, design work, and permit preparation for projects owned or managed by government entities. The resolution states that these loans would be repaid by developers through permanent financing once the project is completed, aiming to speed up the delivery of affordable housing. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create new laws or change regulations but instead communicates legislative support for this funding approach to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill supports using Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to finance predevelopment costs for affordable housing, advancing government affordable housing projects and fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds predevelopment costs for government affordable housing projects through interim loans to expedite delivery of affordable housing to residents.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track