Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2211: MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Provides an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services to replace general fund appropriations redirected to provide emergency food assistance during the 2025 federal government shutdown. Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to help Hawaii residents obtain insurance available through the federal marketplace. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds emergency SNAP assistance and food delivery services through DHS, directly supporting essential public programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2586: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies and requires the revenue to be deposited into the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Establishes the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Appropriates funds for a position in the Department of Taxation. Appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesApplies higher tax rate to rental car companies and appropriates funds for Taxation Dept and DHHL, supporting fiscal management and essential programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAppropriates funds to DHHL to address housing beneficiary waiting list, directly funding a housing program for Native Hawaiians.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2848: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts from the sale of hearing aids received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual. Effective 1/30/2050. Implementation effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for medical devices, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aid sales from tax, reducing costs for patients and improving access to medical devices under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 3005: 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 funds for a Community Action Center, directly funding a public service initiative through budget allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2601: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Amends criminal penalties under the Hawaii Public Procurement Code by providing that a person who intentionally violates the code is subject to prosecution for a misdemeanor in cases of egregious violations of the Code. Ensures that awarded contracts are supported by sufficient appropriations by requiring a contract amount that exceeds fifteen per cent of the amount of the appropriation or balance of an appropriation to be approved by the Chief Procurement Officer to become binding. Establishes positions within the State Procurement Office. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enforces fiscal responsibility by capping contract spending at 10% of available appropriations, preventing budget overruns and ensuring funds are properly allocated.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Procurement

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 118: RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION.

SB 118 establishes a new investigator position within the Campaign Spending Commission and allocates funding for this role. The bill directly affects the Commission by adding staff capacity to oversee campaign finance compliance. Key provisions include creating the position and appropriating necessary funds, with the changes taking effect on April 23, 2057. This is a procedural bill focused on strengthening the Commission's operational structure, not on altering campaign finance rules for candidates or voters.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates funding for new investigator position within Campaign Spending Commission, directly increasing operational budget under appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 863: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

HB 863 allocates state funds to the Department of Education specifically for teacher-requested classroom supplies, such as books, art materials, or technology. This bill directly affects public school teachers and students in K-12 classrooms, as it provides resources based on educators' identified needs. The key mechanism is a direct appropriation of funds, requiring the Department of Education to distribute these resources to schools upon request. The bill takes effect on July 1, 3000, as stated in the official abstract. It passed committee with amendments in February 2025, moving forward in the legislative process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly appropriates state funds for K-12 classroom supplies, increasing education budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds for teacher-requested classroom supplies (books, tech, art), directly supporting K-12 educators and students' resource needs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly allocates state funds for teacher-requested technology supplies in K-12 classrooms, directly advancing educational technology access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1495: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual, from the sale of hearing aids. Effective 12/31/2050. Sunsets 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for healthcare providers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aids from tax, reducing patient costs and improving access to a medical device, aligning with healthcare access support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1674: RELATING TO FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT.

Extends child care subsidies to disabled parents or guardians, regardless of their employment status. Requires the Department of Human Services to evaluate caregiver capacity and dependent-care responsibilities when determining eligibility for medicaid home- and community-based services. Requires the Department of Human Services to update its evaluation form and functional assessment protocols related to level of care and at-risk needs determinations. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for caregiver support programs, aligning with funding essential services under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Medicaid HCBS eligibility criteria and funds caregiver assessments to improve access to long-term care services, directly strengthening healthcare program access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 3129: MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

Provides an emergency appropriation to the Department of Human Services to replace general fund appropriations redirected to provide emergency food assistance during the 2025 federal government shutdown.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides emergency appropriation to fund Hawaii Emergency Food Assistance Program, replacing redirected funds to maintain essential public service funding during federal shutdown.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

Track