Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 178: RELATING TO SURFING.

SB 178 would allocate state funds to the Department of Education to help public schools establish surfing as an official interscholastic sport. It directly affects public high schools that choose to add surfing to their athletic programs and students who would participate in school-sponsored surfing teams. The bill provides funding support for this new program but does not require schools to adopt it. The measure remains pending in committee after being introduced in January 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds to DOE for surfing program, directly involving budget appropriation as specified in Subjects.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 743: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Grants the Public Utilities Commission the ability to authorize preferential rates for the purchase of renewable energy from facilities that meet certain prevailing wage requirements. Requires public utilities to forward certain requests for preferential rates to the PUC for approval. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for renewable energy preferential rates, directly allocating budget resources per subjects including Appropriations ($).95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyGrants PUC authority for preferential rates on renewable energy facilities with funding, directly promoting renewable energy adoption and investment.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPromotes renewable energy adoption through preferential rates and funding, directly advancing clean energy use and reducing reliance on fossil fuels for environmental protection.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires renewable energy facilities to meet prevailing wage standards for preferential rates, enforcing fair compensation for workers in renewable energy projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 656: RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF VETERANS' SERVICES.

Appropriates moneys to the Office of Veterans' Services to perform its statutory duties, including maintaining a center that provides information, counsel, aid, and assistance to veterans, their families, and their dependents; and cooperating with federal agencies responsible for the administration of rights and benefits granted to veterans, their families, and their dependents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to Veterans' Services for essential programs, directly supporting state budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill appropriates funds to Office of Veterans' Services for maintaining centers providing aid, counsel, and assistance to veterans and families, directly funding veteran support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 2461: RELATING TO THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Increases the ceiling of the works of art special fund. Appropriates funds for the maintenance, upkeep, and preservation of the State's public art and collections. Appropriates funds for a collections manager position within the state foundation on culture and the arts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for public art preservation and collections management, directly funding a program within the state budget.95% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2908: RELATING TO PERMITTING.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, in collaboration with a county selected by the Department, to develop an artificial intelligence-assisted pre-compliance intake pilot platform, subject to a matching funds requirement for the county. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to develop a policy or metric to measure the success of the pilot platform. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for a statewide permitting platform development, directly addressing budget allocation under state fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds statewide permitting platform to streamline infrastructure project approvals, supporting transportation infrastructure development via SPEED Task Force recommendations.85% confidence

Tags Economic Development

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 298: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

SB 298 would allocate additional state funds to the Department of Human Services to expand Medicaid in-home care services. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries requiring in-home support, such as elderly or disabled individuals, by increasing access to these services. The bill's key provision is a funding increase for existing in-home care programs under Medicaid, effective July 1, 3000. It is currently pending committee review in the Health and Human Services committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates additional state funds to expand Medicaid in-home care, increasing government spending on public services per appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates additional state funds to expand Medicaid in-home care services, directly increasing access to healthcare for elderly/disabled beneficiaries through enhanced funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1610: RELATING TO OHANA ZONES.

Establishes the Ohana Zones Program as a program within the Statewide Office on Homelessness and Housing Solutions. Authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to exempt ohana zones projects from general excise taxes. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts housing projects from general excise taxes (tax relief) and appropriates funds for the Ohana Zones Program, supporting housing initiatives through fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Ohana Zones Program under homelessness/housing office, exempts projects from taxes, appropriates funds - directly advances affordable housing development and homelessness solutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Housing Finance Property Development

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 86: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes a two-year pilot program that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, requires the Department of Education to provide free school lunch to all students enrolled at a department school. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals on 6/30/2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for free school lunches pilot program, directly increasing public service funding under Budget & Taxes topic.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for free school lunches, expanding access to nutrition support for all students in department schools, directly advancing educational access and well-being.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Student Health

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1774: RELATING TO CENTRALIZED ACCESS TO RESOURCES.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop, implement, and maintain a centralized resource website to connect residents to support and resources to address affordability, health, safety, and the impacts of climate change. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for climate commission website, directly allocating state budget resources to fund public service infrastructure under 'Appropriation ($)' subject.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds Hawaii Climate Commission's website for climate change resources, directly supporting environmental mitigation and adaptation efforts.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill appropriates funds for a centralized website connecting residents to resources addressing housing affordability, explicitly listed as a subject and key focus area.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2565: RELATING TO TEACHERS.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to provide monetary awards to educators who are recognized by the legislature, during education week, for their accomplishments, excellence in teaching, leadership, and service. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds to DOE for teacher awards, increasing education budget allocation per appropriation subject and funding public service program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for teacher recognition awards during Education Week, directly supporting educators through financial incentives for excellence and service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Teachers

Track