Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2362: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 2362 would eliminate a specific tax deduction for real estate investment trusts (REITs), requiring them to pay taxes on dividends they distribute to shareholders instead of deducting those payments. This change directly affects REITs, which are companies that own and operate real estate properties and typically rely on this deduction to reduce taxable income. The key provision removes the "dividends paid deduction" from the tax code, meaning REITs would no longer be able to subtract their dividend payments from their taxable earnings. This policy change would increase the tax burden on REITs without altering their operational structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates REIT tax deduction, closing a loophole to increase tax revenue from real estate entities, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 3047: RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Requires the Department of Education to implement financial literacy instruction into existing courses in public high schools that have sufficient overlap with financial literacy program standards beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Requires the Board of Education to provide professional development to teachers. Authorizes the Board of Education to adopt rules. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds for financial literacy education, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding essential programs per budget/taxes topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum integration, funds implementation, and requires teacher professional development - directly advancing educational content and resources in K-12 schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 3276: RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Requires the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions to develop and implement a plan to reduce the State's total homeless population by at least twenty-five per cent by 1/1/2028, measured against the 2026 point-in-time count. Requires any funding request by the Office after fiscal year 2026-2027 to be based on the plan. Requires the appointment of the Coordinator on Homelessness to be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services for the funding of the Homeless Outreach and Navigation for Unsheltered Persons Program under the Ohana Zones Program, and for the expenses of the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii to conduct a survey on statewide homelessness. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for homelessness programs, increasing government spending on essential services per budget allocation requirements.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds medical respite program and homeless outreach, directly expanding healthcare access for vulnerable populations through state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds medical respite, homeless outreach, and statewide homelessness programs under Ohana Zones, directly addressing housing instability through targeted funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2935: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

SB 2935 exempts sales of feminine hygiene products from the general excise tax, meaning manufacturers and retailers selling these items will not pay this tax on the income from those sales. The exemption directly affects businesses that sell products like tampons, pads, and menstrual cups. The bill takes effect on January 30, 2050, and would remove a tax burden currently applied to these essential health products. This change is a specific policy adjustment to the tax code, not a broader health or funding measure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts SNAP-eligible groceries, feminine products, diapers, and medical supplies from tax, reducing burden on low-income households using essential programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts nonprescription drugs, medical supplies, and feminine hygiene products from excise tax, reducing costs for essential healthcare items and improving access to covered services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2693: RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR AEROSPACE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Authorizes the issuance of $15 million in general obligation bonds to finance the planning, design, and construction of a 50,000 square foot aerospace hangar and related facilities at Hilo international airport. Requires matching contributions from the federal government and private sector. Directs appropriation to be expended by the Department of Transportation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $15M in bonds for airport infrastructure, directly allocating state funds for capital improvement project per appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds aerospace infrastructure at Hilo International Airport via $15M bonds, directly advancing transportation infrastructure development per DOT capital project requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2848: 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 1/30/2050. Implementation effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for medical devices, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aid sales from tax, reducing costs for patients and improving access to medical devices under healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2691: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION AFFORDABILITY.

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a Clean Vehicle Rebate Program to provide rebates for the purchase or lease of certain new and used zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Establishes the Clean Vehicle Special Fund. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates transportation affordability tax to fund clean vehicle rebates and special fund, directly advancing fiscal policy for transportation programs.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes zero-emission vehicles via rebates and clean vehicle fund, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence through energy security tax.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes clean vehicle rebates for zero-emission vehicles to reduce transportation emissions, directly advancing environmental protection through clean energy promotion.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes clean vehicle rebates and special fund to promote sustainable transportation infrastructure through zero-emission vehicle incentives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 877: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to increase the funding for Medicaid in-home services, conditioned on the Department of Human Services obtaining the maximum federal matching funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for Medicaid in-home services, leveraging federal matching to expand public health spending, directly advancing essential program funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid in-home services funding, directly advancing healthcare access and strengthening public health program resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 768: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Creates an alternative water source income tax credit for taxpayers who install, place in service, or repair a water catchment system or who purchase water delivery services. Applicable to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing taxable income for water conservation investments, aligning with tax relief support indicators for middle-income incentives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 389: RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Expands the general excise tax exemption established by Act 47, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, to include amounts received by optometrists, audiologists, and chiropractors, for healthcare-related goods or services purchased under the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands general excise tax exemption for healthcare providers under Medicare/Medicaid, providing tax relief to covered professions per Act 47 (2024)92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands tax exemption for healthcare providers (optometrists, etc.) under Medicare/Medicaid, reducing costs and improving access to covered services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tax exemption for TRICARE-related healthcare services, directly improving veterans' access to care under their existing benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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