Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3217: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Clarifies that references to the base amount in section 41, Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall not apply to the tax credit for research activities, and that the tax credit for qualified research expenses may be claimed without regard to expenses in previous years. Increases the annual cap on the total amount of credits that may be certified by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases annual cap on research tax credits, expanding tax relief for businesses under tax policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2470: RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Requires the Department of Education to implement financial literacy instruction into existing courses in public high schools that have sufficient overlap with financial literacy program standards beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Requires the Board of Education to provide professional development to teachers. Allows the Board of Education to adopt rules. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for financial literacy education, directly allocating budget resources to support public school programs per legislative mandate.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum integration in high schools, appropriates funds, and requires teacher professional development - directly advancing educational content and support.95% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2551: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

HB 2551 allocates state funding for the Area-Wide Fruit Fly Suppression Program, which targets fruit fly pests threatening agricultural crops. The bill directly affects fruit and vegetable growers in affected regions by providing resources to manage these pests. Its key provision is appropriating specific funds to support the existing suppression program, including monitoring and control measures. This funding aims to protect agricultural production without creating new regulations or altering existing program structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds ($1.2M) for Area-Wide Fruit Fly Suppression Program, directly funding agricultural protection without tax changes or program cuts.95% confidence

Tags Agriculture

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3330: RELATING TO PERFORMING ARTS.

SB 3330 establishes a small surcharge on tickets for certain performing arts events held in the state, such as theater productions and concerts. This fee would be added to the ticket price at the point of sale for eligible events. The bill creates a new revenue stream through this mandatory ticket fee, without specifying how funds would be allocated. It directly affects ticket buyers by increasing the cost of attending these events.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes mandatory ticket surcharge tax, creating new revenue stream for state budget without allocation details.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2484: 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 six per cent 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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates 6% of Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to fund Hawaii Climate Institute programs, directly supporting state budget allocation for climate initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates 6% of Transient Accommodations Tax revenue to University of Hawaii programs, directly funding higher education initiatives under the Hawaii Climate Institute.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Hawaii Climate Institute funded by tourism tax to support climate resilience and adaptation initiatives, directly advancing environmental protection and climate action.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 311: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION.

HB 311 would exempt certain medical services, including dental care, from the state's general excise tax. This change would directly affect healthcare providers who currently collect this tax on these services and patients who pay for them. The bill's key provision is to remove the tax burden for these specific medical services, making them more affordable. It does not change existing tax rules for other services or products.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts dental/medical services from general excise tax, providing direct tax relief for patients/providers and aligning with tax relief for lower-income essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts dental/medical services from excise tax, reducing costs and improving affordability for patients and providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2064: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

Provides a temporary income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a cesspool to a septic system or an aerobic treatment unit system or connecting to a sewer system. Permits the Department of Health, as a pilot program, to certify no more than two residential large capacity cesspools. Applies to taxable years after 12/31/2027. Sunsets 12/31/2032.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides income tax credit for cesspool upgrades, reducing tax burden for homeowners - tax relief aligning with support indicators.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes cesspool upgrades to prevent groundwater pollution, directly reducing environmental harm from outdated sewage systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 2691: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION AFFORDABILITY.

Requires the Department of Transportation to establish a Clean Vehicle Rebate Program to provide rebates for the purchase or lease of certain new and used zero-emission vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Establishes the Clean Vehicle Special Fund. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates transportation affordability tax to fund clean vehicle rebates and special fund, directly advancing fiscal policy for transportation programs.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPromotes zero-emission vehicles via rebates and clean vehicle fund, directly advancing renewable energy adoption and reducing fossil fuel dependence through energy security tax.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes clean vehicle rebates for zero-emission vehicles to reduce transportation emissions, directly advancing environmental protection through clean energy promotion.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationEstablishes clean vehicle rebates and special fund to promote sustainable transportation infrastructure through zero-emission vehicle incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Recycling Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2700: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Restructures the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system for the sale of properties with residential use, adjusts the tax for multifamily properties to reflect value on a per-unit basis, and applies a cost-of-living adjustment to conveyance tax rates. Allocates revenues from conveyance tax collections. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax collections to the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund to fund infrastructure programs in county-designated transit-oriented development areas that meet minimum standards of transit-supportive density. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax revenues to the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRestructures conveyance tax and allocates revenues to fund infrastructure programs via Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, directly advancing public spending priorities.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates conveyance tax revenue to Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund for housing infrastructure in transit-oriented development areas, directly funding housing development programs.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates conveyance tax revenue to fund infrastructure in transit-oriented development areas, directly supporting transportation access and development through targeted infrastructure funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2084: MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Appropriates grant-in-aid moneys to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu for the Victim Witness Assistance Program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to Victim Witness Program, directly funding an essential state service through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds victim witness program, directly supporting crime victim services within the criminal justice system as part of VOCA grants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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