Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 675: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Establishes within the Department of Health's Wastewater Branch a Cesspool Conversion Section, which shall be responsible for facilitating the conversion of cesspools within the State. Establishes and appropriates funds for positions within the Cesspool Conversion Section. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for new Cesspool Conversion Section positions within DOH, directly funding a state program under budget appropriations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1043: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 1043 reduces the general excise tax rate on nonprescription drugs by 50%. This change directly affects consumers who purchase nonprescription medications, lowering their out-of-pocket costs. The bill's key provision is halving the existing tax rate, effective July 1, 3000. It does not alter other tax rates or create new government programs. The bill passed a committee recommendation with four supportive votes in February 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces excise tax on nonprescription drugs, providing direct tax relief to consumers, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces excise tax on nonprescription drugs, lowering consumer costs and improving access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 504: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Program within the Department of Agriculture to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for agricultural transportation reimbursements, directly allocating state budget resources to support farmers under budgetary program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 118: RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION.

SB 118 establishes a new investigator position within the Campaign Spending Commission and allocates funding for this role. The bill directly affects the Commission by adding staff capacity to oversee campaign finance compliance. Key provisions include creating the position and appropriating necessary funds, with the changes taking effect on April 23, 2057. This is a procedural bill focused on strengthening the Commission's operational structure, not on altering campaign finance rules for candidates or voters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates funding for new investigator position within Campaign Spending Commission, directly increasing operational budget under appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1303: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS.

Updates the Agricultural Loan Program by lowering interest rates, increasing and standardizing loan limits, and reducing the number of credit denials. Authorizes the Program to issue lines of credit. Creates a new class of loans to encourage large scale agriculture of import replacement crops grown for the Farm to State Program. Appropriates funds into and out of the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds into Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund, directly managing state budget allocation for agricultural lending programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1111: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

SB 1111 establishes a permanent Agricultural Statistics Program within state law and allocates dedicated funding for its operation. The program will collect and analyze agricultural data to support informed decision-making related to farming, crop production, and rural economic planning. This bill directly affects state agricultural agencies and data collection systems, requiring them to implement the new program starting July 1, 2050. The measure is procedural, focusing on creating a statutory framework and funding mechanism rather than changing existing agricultural policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates dedicated funding for Agricultural Statistics Program, directly addressing appropriations within state budget framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1395: RELATING TO STATE FUNDS.

Allocates interest earned on balances within the emergency and budget reserve fund to the general fund in years in which the emergency and budget reserve fund's balance exceeds the State's fund balance objective. For any fiscal year following a fiscal year in which emergency and budget reserve fund interest is deposited into the general fund, requires the Governor to include in the budget or supplemental budget submitted to the Legislature a request that an amount of general funds equal to the amount of interest deposited be expended to advance projects that address climate change impacts. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reallocates interest earnings from reserve fund to general fund, increasing available state funds for budget purposes without new taxes, promoting fiscal responsibility.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 51: RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING FOR CANDIDATES TO ELECTED OFFICE.

Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State of Hawaii, to begin with the 2028 general election year. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for public financing of candidates, directly funding a new government program under appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 688: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

SB 688 appropriates state funds to establish grant specialist positions within the Department of Agriculture. These specialists will directly support the department’s administration of agricultural grant programs, helping farmers and agribusinesses navigate funding applications. The bill becomes effective on July 1, 2050, and does not alter existing grant eligibility or funding amounts. It directly affects the Department of Agriculture by adding staff roles focused on grant management.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for grant specialist positions within Agriculture, directly allocating budget resources to enhance grant program administration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 547: RELATING TO WATER CONSERVATION.

Incentivizes the installation and use of gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators in the State by establishing an income tax credit to be administered by the Department of Taxation. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish a rebate program. Requires the State Building Code Council to adopt certain standards on gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides income tax credit for water conservation systems, directly using tax policy to incentivize adoption, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncentivizes water conservation technologies via tax credits, rebates, and mandatory standards, directly advancing resource efficiency and reducing water waste.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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