Budget & Taxes

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1319: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2552 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 217).

This bill, signed into law by the Governor on July 8, 2026, amends Hawaii's Individual Housing Account Program to increase the tax benefits available to residents saving for a home. It directly affects Hawaii residents who wish to purchase their first principal residence by raising the maximum annual tax deduction for contributions to these accounts from $5,000 to $20,000 for individuals and from $10,000 to $40,000 for married couples filing jointly. Additionally, the bill increases the lifetime contribution limit for these accounts from $25,000 to $200,000 per individual or couple. The legislation also updates the definition of an eligible financial institution to include depository services loan companies, ensuring that contributions made to these accounts can be deducted from taxable income.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax deductions for housing savings, providing tax relief and encouraging home ownership.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases tax deductions for Individual Housing Accounts, directly funding and encouraging home ownership for residents.90% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

GM 1346: Informing the Legislature that on July 13, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2877 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 244).

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program in Hawaii where elementary students in grades four through six research, write, and illustrate their own books. The initiative targets up to ten public schools in Kalihi and Nanakuli-Waianae, allowing teachers to choose topics related to Hawaiian culture, the local community, or personal stories. To support the program, the state will appropriate $50,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, provided that private sources contribute at least 25% of the funding. Participating schools will receive budgets to implement the project as part of their existing curriculum, and the Department of Education must submit a report to the legislature in 2029 evaluating the program's success and feasibility for expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $50,000 to fund a pilot program for elementary students, directly increasing state spending on education.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a pilot program for student book creation, allocates state funding, and supports local culture and education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1314: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2060 SD2 HD1 CD1 (ACT 212).

This bill, signed into law as Act 212, establishes a new Rental Housing Revolving Fund to support the development, construction, and preservation of affordable rental housing in Hawaii. The fund will be administered by the state corporation and can be financed through legislative appropriations, conveyance taxes, private donations, loan repayments, and interest. It provides various forms of financial assistance, including loans, equity investments, and credit enhancement, with a specific priority given to projects that include a significant number of very low-income units. The legislation also defines a "mixed-income rental project" as a development offering units to households at different income levels, primarily those earning at or below 140% of the area median income.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new Rental Housing Revolving Fund financed by legislative appropriations and taxes to fund affordable housing, directly advancing budget and taxation for public services.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a new fund to finance affordable rental housing development and preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Renters

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1307: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1920 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 205).

This message informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB1920 into law on July 8, 2026. The bill amends state tax statutes to allow taxpayers to claim a low-income housing tax credit regardless of their eligibility for the federal version of the same credit. It also permits partnerships and limited liability companies to transfer or sell these tax credits to other taxpayers, even if those recipients do not own an interest in the qualifying building. The law takes effect immediately upon approval and includes specific provisions regarding how the credit can be allocated and transferred.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credits for low-income housing and allows transferability, providing tax relief and funding affordable housing.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands low-income housing tax credits and allows their transfer, increasing funding for affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

GM 1334: Informing the Legislature that on July 10, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2452 SD1 CD1 (ACT 232).

This bill serves as a formal notification to the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB2452 into law on July 10, 2026. The legislation establishes the state's debt limits for general obligation bonds by calculating allowable borrowing amounts based on a percentage of recent general fund revenues. It includes specific numerical projections for debt limits from fiscal year 2025-2026 through 2028-2029 and outlines the constitutional rules used to determine these financial caps.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes debt limits based on revenue, promoting fiscal responsibility and sustainable budget management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 4, 2026

GM 1186: Informing the Legislature that on June 4, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2934 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 086).

This bill directs the State of Hawaii to allocate $1,750,000 from general revenues for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to purchase an advanced life support ambulance and related equipment for the central Maui area. The funds will also cover the pay-related costs for hiring one state-certified emergency medical technician and one state-certified paramedic to staff the new vehicle. The Department of Health is responsible for expending these funds, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1.75M in general revenues to fund emergency medical services and hire staff, directly increasing funding for public safety.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $1.75M to purchase an ambulance, equipment, and hire EMTs/paramedics, directly improving emergency medical access and funding healthcare services.95% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 4, 2026

GM 1180: Informing the Legislature that on June 4, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2339 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 080).

This bill authorizes the University of Hawaii to issue up to $28.5 million in revenue bonds to fund capital projects such as new construction, renovations, and repairs of facilities including classrooms, laboratories, and student housing. The funds will be used to address the university's infrastructure needs, with the principal and interest on the bonds secured solely by university revenues rather than taxpayer money. Additionally, the legislation requires the university to notify the legislature of specific projects funded by the bonds and includes a provision to assist financially needy students in offsetting potential increases in room and board costs resulting from the new debt. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026, allowing the university to begin financing these priority construction and maintenance efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes $28.5M in revenue bonds to fund university infrastructure, strengthening public education facilities without using taxpayer money.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes $28.5M in bonds to fund university infrastructure, including classrooms and student housing, directly strengthening educational facilities.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill authorizes university revenue bonds to fund student housing construction and renovations, directly increasing housing capacity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1248: Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2598 HD1 CD1 (ACT 147).

This bill, signed into law on June 25, 2026, allows the executive branch to use money from specific special or revolving funds to cover the administrative and operating costs of related programs. The legislation amends state statutes to clarify that funds designated for the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Strategic Development Programs Revolving Fund can be used for general expenses, including personnel and daily operations. By permitting these funds to pay for their own management costs, the bill aims to help the state adapt to fluctuating federal revenue projections without relying solely on general fund appropriations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies that special funds can cover administrative costs, promoting fiscal responsibility and ensuring programs are properly funded.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1280: Informing the Legislature that on June 26, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2095 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 178).

This bill, known as the Judiciary Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2026, provides additional funding to the Hawaii state judiciary for the fiscal biennium spanning July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The legislation amends existing budget laws to allocate specific dollar amounts to various judicial components, including courts of appeal, five judicial circuits, and the judicial selection commission. These funds are designated for operating expenses and are subject to position ceilings that limit the number of permanent and temporary staff members the judiciary can hire during this period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates specific funding to the state judiciary for operating expenses, directly advancing the budget topic.95% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1235: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3096 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 134).

This bill, signed into law by the Governor on June 24, 2026, establishes a schedule for increasing the amount public employers must contribute to the Employees' Retirement System. It specifically raises the contribution rates for police, firefighters, and corrections officers from 41% to 44% of their compensation, while keeping the rate for all other employees at 24%. These changes are designed to gradually pay down the unfunded liability of the retirement plan over time. The new rates apply to fiscal years beginning in 2026 and continuing indefinitely.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases retirement contributions to address unfunded liability, promoting fiscal responsibility and protecting the retirement system.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases retirement contributions for police, firefighters, and corrections officers, enhancing workforce stability and resource availability for criminal justice agencies.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Policing

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