Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 370: RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Increases the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all elective offices. Adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying contributions certain candidates must receive to participate in the program. Increases the matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions. Appropriates funds for the program and staff. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for public election financing program, directly increasing state budget allocation for campaign finance under Appropriations ($).95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 23, 2026

HB 1602: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

HB 1602 allocates funds to create one full-time staff position within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. The bill establishes a grant specialist role focused on administering grant programs. This funding directly affects the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity staff, enabling them to manage grant-related work. The bill is procedural, specifically authorizing budget resources for a new position, with no broader policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates funds for a new grant specialist position in Agriculture Department, directly supporting budget appropriations for departmental operations.95% confidence

Tags Agriculture

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3317: RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIVE HAWAIIAN FILM AND MEDIA INDUSTRY.

Establishes and appropriates moneys for a Native Hawaiian film and media development program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes a full-cycle production tax credit for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Provides the Department of Taxation with certain duties and responsibilities in administering the tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for a program and establishes a tax credit, directly engaging with budget allocation and tax policy as core elements of the topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 1694: RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel distribution in Hawaii to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provides $1 per gallon, increasing by 2 cents per additional 1 per cent emissions reduction, up to $2 per gallon. Caps total credits at $20,000,000 annually, with carryover provisions. Requires reporting to ensure transparency and compliance. Applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026, and sunsets on December 31, 2035. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing liability for sustainable aviation fuel distributors, aligning with fiscal incentives for emissions reduction within a capped annual budget ($20M).95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates tax credit for sustainable aviation fuel to reduce emissions, directly promoting renewable energy development and reducing fossil fuel dependence.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes tax credit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via sustainable aviation fuel, directly advancing climate protection goals with explicit emissions reduction incentives.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationPromotes sustainable aviation fuel adoption via tax credit, reducing emissions in transportation sector per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Climate Change Airports Transportation Funding

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signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

SB 3076: RELATING TO TOBACCO ENFORCEMENT.

Clarifies that untaxed tobacco products are subject to forfeiture as contraband, without regard to the procedures set forth in Hawaii's asset forfeiture law in the same manner as untaxed cigarettes. Confirms the authority of the Department of Taxation and the Department of the Attorney General to inspect and seize tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices and e-liquids. Effective 9/1/2026. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enforces tax collection on untaxed tobacco via forfeiture, closing evasion loopholes and increasing state revenue through Department of Taxation authority.85% confidence

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2662: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.

Requires each purchasing agency to provide justification for hiring external consultants. Requires each agency to seek approval from the Legislature for consulting contracts exceeding a certain dollar amount. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Compliance Audit Unit within the Office of the Auditor to conduct regular audits of agency consultant contracts to assess cost-effectiveness and compliance. Establishes exceptions. Requires each chief procurement officer to ensure that inherent government functions are not delegated to a contractor. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes spending caps and audit requirements on consultant contracts to enhance fiscal accountability in state spending, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Procurement

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1091: RELATING TO REMOTE WORK ASSESSMENTS.

Requires the Comptroller, in coordination with the Department of Human Resources Development, to periodically assess telework-eligible allocations of employees of certain state executive branch departments and agencies. Requires the first assessment and notification to be completed by 6/30/2026. Establishes a position within the Department of Accounting and General Services. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2491. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for telework assessment position, directly addressing budget allocation per subjects and summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2382: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program to be administered by the Department of Law Enforcement to provide $15,000 retention bonuses to eligible sworn law enforcement officers that have worked a minimum of two thousand hours during the preceding fiscal year, subject to collective bargaining negotiations. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Appropriates funds for the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $15,000 retention bonuses for law enforcement, directly funding staffing needs through state budget authority per bill's appropriation language.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds $15k retention bonuses for law enforcement officers to address staffing shortages, strengthening frontline operations within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds $15k retention bonuses for law enforcement officers, supporting compensation and subject to collective bargaining negotiations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 876: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

SB 876 requires the state Department of Education to establish a Korean Language Program in public schools and appropriates funding for this initiative. The bill directly affects public school districts and students who would participate in the new language program. Key provisions include mandating the department to create the program and providing dedicated state funds for its implementation. This legislation focuses on expanding language education opportunities within the public school system. (Note: The bill is still in early committee review stages as of 2025.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for a new Korean Language Program, directly funding an educational initiative under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds to establish Korean Language Program in public schools, expanding curriculum access and language education opportunities.95% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2415: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

HB 2415 appropriates state funds to the Department of Transportation for installing pedestrian safety improvements (like crosswalks or signage) at locations directly adjacent to school properties. It also directs the department to consider implementing similar safety measures at other high-risk sites beyond school areas. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to use these allocated funds for specific traffic safety projects, effective July 1, 3000. This policy change directly affects school communities and pedestrians near schools by directing state resources toward physical safety infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for DOT traffic safety projects, directly allocating budget resources to a public safety program.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill funds traffic safety improvements (crosswalks, signage) at school properties to enhance student safety and access, directly supporting school infrastructure and educational access per Safe Routes to School initiative.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill appropriates state funds for DOT to install pedestrian safety infrastructure (crosswalks/signage) at schools/high-risk sites, directly funding transportation safety projects to enhance infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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