Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2555: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts food and groceries from the general excise tax. Expands the general excise tax exemption implemented in 2024 for certain medical and dental services to include all medical and dental services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts food, groceries, and medical services from general excise tax, providing tax relief for essential household expenses.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands tax exemption for all medical/dental services, reducing out-of-pocket costs and improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 17, 2026

SB 26: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Establishes the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force to conduct a study, subject to legislative appropriation, to assess the viability of housing development in transit-oriented development zones or other areas on state or county lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force study, directly allocating state budget resources toward housing development assessment.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force to study development on public lands, appropriates funds for study to advance housing access.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill focuses on transit-oriented development zones, promoting housing integration with public transit infrastructure to advance transportation accessibility and usage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Affordable Housing Property Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2746: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 2746 creates an income tax credit for individuals covering medical travel costs not paid by insurance, such as trips to specialists or treatments outside their local area. This directly affects people with significant out-of-pocket medical travel expenses who lack insurance coverage for those costs. The credit is set to expire on January 1, 2031, as it includes a sunset provision. The bill was introduced on January 23, 2026, and has advanced to committee referral.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for medical travel costs, providing tax relief to lower/middle-income individuals with out-of-pocket medical expenses.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates tax credit for uncovered medical travel costs, directly improving patient access to specialists/treatments outside local area and expanding coverage for out-of-pocket expenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Insurance

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 2442: RELATING TO PURCHASE OF SERVICE CONTRACTS BY THE JUDICIARY.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires contracts for services awarded to community-based organizations by the Judiciary in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State to include certain protections against inflation. Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to increase the contract price in existing contracts for certain services provided by community-based organizations in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to increase contract prices for community-based services, funding essential programs under Judiciary's mandate.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 2034: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Transportation to establish a pilot program to offer fully subsidized public transit passes for department employees. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for DOT employee transit pilot, directly increasing government spending on public services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides fully subsidized transit passes for DOT employees, expanding workplace benefits and reducing commuting costs for workers.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill appropriates funds for DOT to establish subsidized public transit pilot for employees, directly funding and expanding public transit access as a transportation infrastructure initiative.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Public Transit

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2142: RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FOURTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

HB 2142 allocates state funds for capital improvement projects (such as road repairs, park upgrades, or public building renovations) specifically within the Fourth Representative District. It directly benefits residents and local communities in that district by providing resources for physical infrastructure enhancements. The bill was introduced on January 26, 2026, and referred to the Finance Committee for review, with no further action taken as of the latest update. As a funding measure, it does not establish new policy but enables targeted district-level projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates state funds for public infrastructure projects, directly increasing appropriations within the budget framework for district services.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds road repairs (transportation infrastructure) in Fourth District, directly advancing transportation infrastructure improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Roads & Highways

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 1167: MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

Makes an emergency appropriation out of the State Highway Fund to provide funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the Department of Transportation to enforce the Motor Carrier Law. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEmergency appropriation from State Highway Fund to fund DOT for Motor Carrier Law enforcement, supporting essential government operations.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEmergency appropriation funds DOT enforcement of Motor Carrier Law via State Highway Fund, directly advancing transportation safety and infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 349: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Requires the Hawaii State Energy Office to conduct a statewide environmental assessment for, and subsequently administer, a Slim-Hole Resource Characterization Program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for a renewable energy program, directly funding a state initiative under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds and mandates statewide assessment for renewable energy resource characterization program, directly advancing renewable energy infrastructure development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 2617: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

Establishes the Institute of Indigenous Education, Science, and Outreach within the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Authorizes the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund to include moneys from any revenue source and requires expenditures in the fund to be used to support the Imiloa Astronomy Center. Requires the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund to support the Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway. Establishes a cap on individual deposits into the Hawaiian Language College Revolving Fund and the Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates Hawaiian Early Learning Trust Fund support for Hawaiian-language education pathway, directing state funds to specific educational programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Institute of Indigenous Education, mandates Hawaiian-Language-Medium Education Pathway funding, and directs trust fund support for educational programs at UH Hilo.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 766: RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in Hawaii, to begin with the 2026 general election year. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds to establish public election financing system, directly allocating budget resources for this purpose.95% confidence

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