Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1554: RELATING TO COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.

Establishes a program within the Office of Community Services to authorize the formation of community collaborative capital improvement projects eligible for state grants, which may be exempted from certain state and county regulatory requirements under specific circumstances. Requires the Office to adopt rules and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Repeals 6/30/2030.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state grant program for community capital projects, directing budget funds toward capital improvements through new appropriations.85% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1187: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL BIOSECURITY.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for permanent positions in agricultural biosecurity established by Act 231, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, and various biosecurity programs. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for agricultural biosecurity programs, directly increasing state budget allocation for essential DOA programs per Appropriations ($).95% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 177: RELATING TO CIVIL IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

HB 177 makes civil identification cards (like state-issued IDs) free to issue or renew for residents, removing fees that previously applied. It directs state funds to cover these costs, ensuring the program is fully funded without requiring payments from cardholders. This directly affects all Hawaii residents who need or renew a civil ID card, including those who may face financial barriers to obtaining one. The bill becomes effective on June 30, 3000, as stated in the official abstract.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs state funds to cover civil ID card costs (removing fees), explicitly using appropriations ($), funding a public service without user fees.92% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves fees for civil ID cards, reducing financial barriers for immigrants accessing essential services without explicit enforcement restrictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1978: RELATING TO THE WEST HAWAII REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

HB 1978 allocates state funds for planning, design, site work, and construction of a new outpatient care center in North Kona, Hawaii. The bill directly affects residents in the North Kona area who rely on outpatient health services, aiming to expand access to care. Key provisions include funding specific phases of the facility's development, from initial planning to physical construction. This is a funding measure focused on infrastructure, not a policy change affecting broader healthcare regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for outpatient care center construction, directly funding public health infrastructure through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds for outpatient care center construction, expanding healthcare access in North Kona per bill summary.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2369: RELATING TO PURCHASE OF SERVICE CONTRACTS BY THE JUDICIARY.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires contracts for services awarded to community-based organizations by the Judiciary in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State to include certain protections against inflation. Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to increase the contract price in existing contracts for services provided by community-based organizations in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to increase contract prices for community-based organizations under Judiciary services, directly funding public programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds community-based organizations supporting Judiciary's mandate, including access to justice (a criminal justice reform indicator), with inflation protections to strengthen service delivery in courts/criminal justice system.80% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 536: RELATING TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS LABORATORY.

Requires the Department of Health to construct, establish, and operate an environmental toxins testing laboratory to test samples submitted by the public for diseases; water, air, and soil quality; and complex testing. Requires a report to the Legislature. Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds and authorizes GO bonds to establish an environmental toxins lab, directly funding a public health program through state budget mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds construction of environmental toxins lab to test air/water/soil quality and report on pollutants, directly advancing pollution monitoring and environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds environmental toxins testing laboratory under Department of Health for public health monitoring, directly supporting public health programs by testing environmental disease risks.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 265: RELATING TO TEACHER RETENTION.

Establishes the Onipaʻa Teacher Bonus Program to address teacher retention and award teachers for outstanding and extended service in the department of education. Ensures that general education teachers assigned to special education inclusion classes receive the same additional benefits as special education teachers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes new teacher bonus program requiring state funding, directly increasing education budget allocation for retention.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes teacher bonus program for retention and equal benefits for inclusion teachers, directly advancing educator support and retention efforts in education policy.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes teacher bonus program and ensures equal benefits for general education teachers in special ed inclusion, expanding worker benefits and promoting equitable compensation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 247: RELATING TO THE HAWAII ABLE SAVINGS PROGRAM.

Repeals the requirement to use the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program Trust Fund if the Director elects to accept deposits from contributors instead of sending deposits directly to the ABLE program manager. Authorizes the Director of Finance to expend moneys in the trust fund to provide incentive payments to Hawaii public school ABLE account owners. Appropriates funds for incentive payments to Hawaii public school ABLE account owners and to fund a position to provide statewide outreach, advocacy, and relationship management for the Hawaii ABLE Savings Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for ABLE incentives and outreach, directly funding a state program under budget allocation.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2061: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

HB 2061 appropriates state funds to establish a gun buyback program, requiring at least two buyback events in every county each year. The bill directly affects residents who may participate in these events to exchange firearms for cash. Key provisions include dedicated funding allocation for program operations and mandatory event scheduling across all counties. This policy change creates a structured, statewide initiative for firearm buybacks without altering gun ownership laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for gun buyback program, directly allocating budget resources to fund this initiative.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds statewide gun buybacks to reduce firearm availability, a direct criminal justice reform strategy targeting gun violence prevention without altering ownership laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 734: RELATING TO WASTEWATER SYSTEMS.

Requires the Department of Health, in consultation with various agencies and professionals, to review rules and practices and propose changes that have the potential to make wastewater systems and cesspool upgrades more affordable without compromising water quality. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for wastewater system affordability review, directly funding public service improvements under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires affordable wastewater upgrades without compromising water quality, advancing pollution control and environmental protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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