Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1577: RELATING TO THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Establishes the Performing Arts Grants Program to support performing arts in the State. Clarifies the scope of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' responsibilities to include the coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. Allows the use of moneys from the Works of Art Special Fund for performing arts. Appropriates funds to provide grants under the Performing Arts Grants Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates existing Works of Art Special Fund moneys for performing arts grants, advancing cultural program funding within state budget allocations.92% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 1676: RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Establishes an Artificial Intelligence in Education Task Force to develop guidelines and recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence in state public education. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for AI in Education Task Force, directly funding a new program per bill's appropriation clause90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes AI in Education Task Force with funding to develop guidelines for AI use in public schools, enhancing tech integration and procurement standards in education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes AI task force, mandates vendor documentation, and appropriates funds for AI in education guidelines, promoting responsible AI adoption.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 424: RELATING TO SCHOOL MEALS.

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to provide free breakfast and lunch to students enrolled in a public school who meet certain requirements. Reduces the amount the Department of Education is authorized to charge for school meals to all students enrolled in department schools to no more than an unspecified portion of the cost of preparing the meals. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for free school meals, increasing state budget allocation for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free school meals for eligible students and appropriates funds, enhancing educational access and student welfare through direct funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2065: RELATING TO COUNTY PERMITS.

Requires county permitting agencies to establish and fill positions exclusively to process permit applications submitted for state projects. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for county positions processing state project permits, directly allocating budget resources to support infrastructure management and state project efficiency.95% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 17: RELATING TO WILDFIRE MITIGATION.

Establishes the Wildfire Mitigation Working Group. Requires a report to the Legislature. Requires the Office of the State Fire Marshal to provide administrative support to the working group. Appropriates funds. Revises the appropriations made by Act 302, SLH 2025. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes appropriations ($), directly funding the Wildfire Mitigation Working Group as a public safety program.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 735: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires waste combustion facility owners to implement continuous monitoring and sampling technologies for the purposes of collecting data regarding emissions. Establishes a publicly available website hosted by the Department of Health that will track and display data collected on emissions. Requires the DOH to adjust permit limits for air contaminants based on emissions data collected. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for DOH monitoring system, aligning with public health program funding under budget & taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates continuous emissions monitoring, public data tracking, and data-driven permit adjustments for waste combustion facilities, strengthening pollution control regulations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates DOH oversight of pollution emissions from waste facilities to protect public health via air quality monitoring and data transparency, directly advancing public health program goals.92% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1566: RELATING TO A HAWAII TEACHER REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

SB 1566 establishes Hawaii's Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, administered by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. The program creates a structured pathway for new educators to earn a teaching license while working as paid apprentices under licensed mentors in Hawaii schools. It directly affects aspiring teachers seeking licensure through on-the-job training rather than traditional education programs. The bill includes funding appropriations to support this initiative, providing a concrete alternative to standard teacher preparation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes specific funding appropriations ($), directly allocating state funds to establish the teacher apprenticeship program, aligning with 'funds essential programs' under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes funded teacher apprenticeship program, expanding licensure pathways and supporting educator workforce development through direct funding and structured training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1812: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Establishes a 5-year Hawaii Builds Pilot Program within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and designates projects that meet specific requirements as Hawaii Builds Pilot Projects. Authorizes the Corporation to deploy moneys from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for predevelopment activities or as active construction equity. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes deployment of dwelling unit revolving fund moneys for housing pilot, directing budget allocation toward affordable housing programs (50% units for 60-140% AMI households).95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes pilot program funding affordable housing units for 60-140% AMI households with 50% mandate, directly advancing affordable housing goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 840: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII ATHLETICS.

HB 840 appropriates funds to the athletics departments of the University of Hawaii. It directly affects the UH athletic programs by providing dedicated financial resources for their operations. The bill's key provision is the allocation of state funding, effective July 1, 3000, as specified in the official abstract. This is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy changes or new requirements described in the provided context.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds to UH athletics, a direct budgetary appropriation under fiscal management with no opposing elements.95% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 962: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Department of Education to establish and administer a two-year school librarian pilot program to provide funding for qualifying schools to hire librarians. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for school librarian pilot program, directly funding a public education initiative under state budget authority.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for school librarian pilot program, directly funding K-12 educational resources and access as required by the bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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