Budget & Taxes

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 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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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1729: RELATING TO TAXATION.

HB 1729 would remove the state income tax deduction for mortgage interest paid on second homes. This directly affects homeowners who own vacation properties, rental properties, or additional residences beyond their primary home. The bill changes state tax law so that interest on loans for these second properties no longer reduces taxable income. It does not apply to primary residences or federal tax rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves tax deduction for second home mortgage interest, closing a tax loophole to increase state revenue and strengthen fiscal management.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1778: 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. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for school modernization initiative, directly allocating budget resources to public infrastructure program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for school modernization initiative via capital improvement database, directly improving school infrastructure as a key education support indicator.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1723: RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Specifies the conditions upon which the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation may transfer moneys from within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to a subaccount and between subaccounts of the revolving fund. Authorizes the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be used to provide any and all forms of financing. Expands the funding priorities of, and appropriates funds into and out of, the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects conveyance tax revenues to Mixed-Income Subaccount for housing projects, funding essential affordable housing through tax revenue allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill revises funding priorities for mixed-income housing projects, appropriates funds, and authorizes tax revenue transfers to expand affordable housing access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1812: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a 5-year Hawaii Builds Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and designates projects that meet specific requirements as Hawaii Builds Pilot Projects. Authorizes the Corporation to deploy moneys from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for predevelopment activities or as active construction equity. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes deployment of dwelling unit revolving fund moneys for housing pilot, directing budget allocation toward affordable housing programs (50% units for 60-140% AMI households).95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes pilot program funding affordable housing units for 60-140% AMI households with 50% mandate, directly advancing affordable housing goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1783: RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES.

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. Amends the powers of the School Facilities Authority. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for public charter school facilities via pilot program, directly funding public infrastructure under budget authority.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for new public school facilities via public-private partnerships, advancing school infrastructure and access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2564: RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Authorizes the funding for rental or lease of facilities by legislative appropriations and bond authorizations to the state public charter school commission for the design, planning, construction, repair, and maintenance of public charter school improvements. Appropriates general funds for infrastructure costs, rental or lease assistance, and the repair and maintenance of network infrastructure for charter schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates general funds for charter school infrastructure, directly funding public education programs through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for charter school facility construction, repair, and infrastructure maintenance, directly advancing educational infrastructure funding per topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2127: RELATING TO CIVIC EDUCATION.

Establishes a Civic Education Grant Program to provide support to public middle and intermediate schools in providing civic education to students through department approved programming. Establishes a Civic Education Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Civic Education Trust Fund to allocate state budget for civic education programs, directly funding public schools through department-approved programming.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program and trust fund to fund civic education in public middle/intermediate schools, directly enhancing curriculum support and programming.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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