Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2741: RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

SB 2741 would gradually remove the state's general excise tax from locally produced food items, such as farm-fresh produce and meals prepared by local restaurants. The bill phases in this tax exemption over time, starting with certain food categories and expanding to others in subsequent years. This change directly affects local food producers (like farms and small eateries) and consumers purchasing these items, reducing their tax burden. The bill is currently in early stages (introduced January 23, 2026) and has not yet been voted on by the legislature.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill removes tax on local food, reducing state revenue and weakening tax base without offsetting measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 547: RELATING TO WATER CONSERVATION.

Incentivizes the installation and use of gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators in the State by establishing an income tax credit to be administered by the Department of Taxation. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish a rebate program. Requires the State Building Code Council to adopt certain standards on gray water recycling systems and atmospheric water generators in the State. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides income tax credit for water conservation systems, directly using tax policy to incentivize adoption, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncentivizes water conservation technologies via tax credits, rebates, and mandatory standards, directly advancing resource efficiency and reducing water waste.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Conservation Recycling

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1652: RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

Establishes the Climate Change Adaptation Cost Recovery Program within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to secure compensatory payments from historically responsible parties that contributed to pollution, based on a standard of strict liability to provide a source of revenue for climate change adaptive infrastructure projects within the State. Establishes the Climate Change Adaptation Special Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Climate Change Adaptation Special Fund via strict liability payments from polluters, establishing new revenue to fund climate infrastructure projects, advancing fiscal management for essential programs.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes program to recover costs from polluters for climate adaptation infrastructure funding, advancing environmental protection via strict liability and dedicated fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Recycling

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 2216: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS.

Authorizes the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to package and sell a portion of its agricultural loan portfolio to permitted third parties. Appropriates funds out of the Agricultural Loans Revolving Fund to increase its expenditure ceiling. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases expenditure ceiling for Agricultural Loans Revolving Fund, authorizing more government spending on agricultural loans via appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2220: RELATING TO THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Requires the Hawaii Community Development Authority to establish a Community Action Center in Chinatown. Expenditure contingent upon the City and County of Honolulu providing matching funds. Appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds for a Community Action Center, directly funding a public service initiative through budget allocation per its 'Appropriation ($)' subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 610: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Establishes the rounding up for teachers' salaries special fund, to be administered by the Department of Education. Requires electric utilities and county boards of water supply to provide an option for customers to voluntarily round up their bill to the nearest dollar or provide a specific contribution amount. Deposits the proceeds into the rounding up for teachers' salaries special fund. Appropriates moneys.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates special fund for teacher salaries via voluntary utility bill rounding, appropriating funds for public education funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes special fund for teacher salaries via voluntary utility rounding, directly increasing educator compensation funding through new appropriations.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 1924: RELATING TO RECYCLING.

HB 1924 establishes a mattress stewardship program requiring manufacturers and retailers to manage the recycling of used mattresses. It creates a special fund financed by fees paid by businesses to cover collection and recycling costs. This bill directly affects mattress sellers and manufacturers, who would pay into the fund to support the program. The legislation aims to reduce mattress waste in landfills by mandating industry responsibility for end-of-life mattress disposal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new special fund financed by business fees to cover recycling program costs, establishing dedicated budgetary allocation for waste management.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates industry-funded mattress recycling program to reduce landfill waste, directly advancing environmental protection through waste diversion and pollution control.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2811: RELATING TO STATE BUILDING PROJECTS.

Establishes, and appropriates funds for, the State Building Permit Process Task Force to evaluate the challenges, opportunities, and legislative actions necessary to establish a State Building Permit Review Office for state projects located on state-owned lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Sunsets on 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for a state building task force, directly allocating budget resources to evaluate and improve state construction processes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2280: RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY AND BUDGET RESERVE FUND.

Appropriates moneys out of the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to maintain the levels of programs determined to be essential to education, public health, and public welfare, to provide for counter cyclical economic and employment programs of economic downturn, to restore facilities destroyed or damaged or services disrupted by disaster, and to meet other emergencies declared by the Governor or determined to be urgent by the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds from reserve to maintain essential education, health, and welfare programs, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding priorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 548: RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION OF THE SAINT FRANCIS SCHOOL CAMPUS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA.

Authorizes the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to issue revenue bonds for the acquisition of the Saint Francis School campus located at 2707 Pamoa Road in Honolulu. Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii for the acquisition of the Saint Francis School campus located at 2707 Pamoa Road in Honolulu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds via revenue bonds for UH campus acquisition, directly funding a public institution through state budget allocation.95% confidence

Track