Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 494: RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Requires the Auditor to conduct a financial audit of each charter school under the State Public Charter School Commission. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires the State Public Charter School Commission to take action based on the Auditor's recommendations. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for charter school financial audits, enhancing fiscal oversight and accountability within state budget management.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1780: RELATING TO STUDENT TRANSPORTATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish a student bus fare rate system that includes free school bus passes for students who meet certain statutory requirements. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for free student bus passes for low-income families, directly funding an essential public service program under the Free and Reduced Price Lunch Program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides free bus passes for FRL-eligible students, removing transportation barriers and expanding access to K-12 education through direct funding.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAppropriates funds for student bus fare system with free passes for eligible students, directly funding and expanding school transportation services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1896: RELATING TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

HB 1896 appropriates state funds to the Department of Education to support community schools. It directly affects community schools by providing dedicated funding for their operations and programs. The bill’s key mechanism is a financial appropriation, directing specific resources to the Department of Education for this purpose, without altering existing school policies or creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds to Department of Education for community schools, directly increasing public education funding without altering tax policies.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds to Department of Education for community school operations and programs, directly increasing financial support for K-12 community schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 3230: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Authorizes governmental bodies and public employees to procure project management services through non-governmental third-party contracts under certain conditions. Appropriates funds to establish a Special Project Branch within the Public Works Division of the Department of Accounting and General Services. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires fiscal officer certification for budget transfers to ensure fiscal accountability, promoting responsible budget management per subject list.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 3254: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Appropriates funds to be expended by the Department of Health as a grant for the Hawaii Primary Care Association to support solar-plus-storage microgrid implementation at community health centers in medically underserved communities, and provide programmatic services, project management, contract management, reporting and fiscal stewardship responsibilities, and developing future scalable plans for the development and deployment of solar-plus-storage microgrids at nonprofit community health centers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state budget funds for solar microgrids at community health centers, directly funding a public service program through grant allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds solar-plus-storage microgrids at health centers, directly investing in renewable energy infrastructure for underserved communities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds to community health centers in medically underserved areas via grant, improving infrastructure access and operational capacity for healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1934: RELATING TO LIBRARIES.

Requires the State Librarian to establish an Imagination Library of Hawaii Program to provide one free book each month to children from birth through five years of age who reside in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for Imagination Library program, directly increasing state budget allocation for public library services targeting children.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds to establish a free book program for children birth-5, directly enhancing early childhood educational access and literacy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 2596: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT LEASES.

SB 2596 requires state government agencies to charge no more than $1 per year for leases of real property they use. This directly affects state agencies that lease buildings or land for operations, such as offices or facilities. The bill sets a strict annual cost limit on these government leases as a procedural rule, with no additional mechanisms or exemptions described in the provided text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCapping government lease costs at $1/year reduces state spending, promoting fiscal responsibility within budget management.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2012: RELATING TO COMMUNITY LITERACY LABS.

HB 2012 proposes a two-year pilot program to establish community literacy labs, funded by the Department of Education. The program would directly support adults in underserved communities by providing accessible literacy resources and training. Key provisions include appropriating state funds for implementation, with the Department of Education responsible for selecting pilot sites and managing the program over the two-year period. The bill is currently pending committee approval after receiving a favorable recommendation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for community literacy labs pilot, directly funding a public service program under DOE oversight.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds for community literacy labs, expanding educational access in underserved communities through direct funding and program implementation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2122: RELATING TO TEACHER HOUSING.

Establishes the Teacher Housing Assistance Program to be administered by the Department of Education to provide housing vouchers to certain eligible teachers. Appropriates funds out of the Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds from Teachers' Housing Revolving Fund to establish teacher housing program, directly advancing public service funding for teacher recruitment/retention.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes teacher housing assistance to improve recruitment/retention, directly supporting educators through funding and housing access - core education policy focus.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds housing vouchers for teachers via Teacher Housing Assistance Program, directly advancing affordable housing access for educators through dedicated appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2161: RELATING TO PHARMACY.

Establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts. Establishes the pharmacist workforce assessment fee. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes a special fund with targeted fee to appropriate funds for pharmacy workforce planning, directly advancing fiscal management of state education programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes fund for pharmacist workforce assessment/planning, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and infrastructure through appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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