Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2309: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS.

Authorizes the Agricultural Loan Division of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to sell portions of its loan portfolio to permitted third parties, with proceeds to be deposited into the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund. Appropriates funds out of the Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund to increase its expenditure ceiling and thereby expand access to agricultural loan financing and support local food production. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds to increase expenditure ceiling of Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund, expanding access to agricultural loans. Directly funds program under budget management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1598: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CLIMATE INSTITUTE.

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Institute at the University of Hawaii to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives of the University and the State. Requires a percentage of the revenue generated by any increase to the Transient Accommodations Tax rates beginning on January 1, 2026, and by assessment of the Transient Accommodations Tax on gross rental proceeds derived from cruise fares to be allocated to the University of Hawaii annually to support the programs and operations of the Hawaii Climate Institute. Transfers the International Pacific Research Center of the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology to the Hawaii Climate Institute. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 6% of TAT revenue increases to fund Hawaii Climate Institute, directly using tax revenue for program funding per appropriation subject.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates 6% of Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to fund University of Hawaii's climate institute, supporting higher education programs and operations.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 6% of tourism tax revenue to fund Hawaii Climate Institute for climate resilience programs, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3088: RELATING TO THE MOTION PICTURE, DIGITAL MEDIA, AND FILM PRODUCTION INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Increases the qualified production credit from twenty-two per cent to twenty-seven per cent in any county of the State with a population of over seven hundred thousand and twenty-seven per cent to thirty-two per cent in any county of the State with a population of less than seven hundred thousand. Lifts the per production cap of $17,000,000 for productions with qualified expenditures of $60,000,000 per project. Increases the annual cap to $60,000,000 from $50,000,000 for the total amount of the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit allowed under section 235-17, HRS, and extends the sunset date of the tax credit to January 1, 2038. Clarifies and amends the requirement for an independent third-party certification and expands the definition of "qualified production" to include streaming platforms for the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit. Includes a definition of "streaming platform".

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases film production tax credits (22%→27% and 27%→32%) and lifts spending caps, directly reducing state tax revenue to incentivize industry growth and economic development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 308: RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

HB 308 increases the amount of public matching funds provided to candidates in the state's partial public financing program. It specifically raises the matching rate for contributions exceeding a set threshold ("excess qualifying contributions") made by individual donors. This change directly affects qualifying candidates running for office who receive small-dollar donations from voters. The bill modifies the existing program's funding mechanism without altering eligibility rules or adding new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases public matching funds for election financing, directly allocating state budget resources to expand this program without reducing other funding.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2082: RELATING TO TEACHER WORKFORCE HOUSING.

Establishes a Teacher Workforce Housing Stipend Program at public schools classified as rural or underserved. Requires the Department of Education to administer the program and report findings to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for teacher housing stipend program, directly funding a public service initiative under state budget authority.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds teacher housing stipends for rural/underserved schools to retain educators, directly supporting teacher workforce stability in education access areas.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds teacher housing stipends in underserved areas, directly advancing affordable housing access for educators through legislative appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers Affordable Housing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1830: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to develop an online reporting tool through which users may report their restricted use pesticide usage. Appropriates funds to convert temporary Environmental Health Specialist III positions into permanent positions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for Agriculture Department programs, directly funding government operations and essential services through budgetary allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds online pesticide reporting tool and permanent environmental health positions, aiding pollution control and environmental protection in agricultural contexts.90% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 2578: RELATING TO THE FILM INDUSTRY.

Establishes the Hawaii Film Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and transfers the rights, powers, functions, and duties of the Hawaii Film Office to the Commission. Requires appointments and hiring of staff by 12/31/2027. Establishes the Film Industry Development Special Fund. Excludes media and film from the definition of "creative industries" and renames the Hawaii Film and Creative Industries Development Special Fund as the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund. Amends the sources of moneys to be deposited into the Hawaii Creative Industries Development Special Fund. Allows the Creative Industries Development Special Fund to be used for the support and development of facilities and other initiatives to grow the State's creative industries. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes Film Industry Development Special Fund (Appropriation $), directly allocating budget resources for industry development.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2915: RELATING TO CANCER.

Repeals the requirement that a certain amount received from the cigarette tax on the wholesale price of each article or item of certain tobacco products deposited into the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund must be used for debt service of capital expenditures and building maintenance. Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii Cancer Center.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReallocates cigarette tax funds from debt service to University of Hawaii Cancer Center, directly funding a public health program through budget appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2364: RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE ANALYST.

Requires the office of the legislative analyst to produce fiscal notes on all fiscal bills. Prohibits a committee from making a decision on a fiscal bill without a fiscal note. Mandates that fiscal notes be made available to the public. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates fiscal notes for transparency and accountability in budget decisions, promoting fiscal responsibility per bill's requirements for committee action and public access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Audits & Accountability State Budget

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1272: RELATING TO A HAWAII TEACHER REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

HB 1272 would establish the Hawaii Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, administered by the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. The program provides a structured training path for new educators, combining paid on-the-job teaching experience with classroom instruction to support teacher development. It includes funding appropriations to cover program implementation and participant stipends. This bill directly affects aspiring teachers in Hawaii seeking an alternative certification route through work-based learning.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes funding appropriations for teacher development program, directly increasing state spending on education through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes funded teacher apprenticeship program with stipends, directly supporting educator development and alternative certification pathways.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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