Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 355: RELATING TO AN INCOME TAX CREDIT.

HB 355 creates a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for homeowners who pay expenses to retrofit their residences with wind-resistant devices, such as storm shutters or reinforced roofs. The credit directly benefits homeowners who make these safety upgrades, reducing the amount of income tax they owe based on their actual retrofit costs. This policy change provides a financial incentive for property improvements designed to enhance resilience against wind damage, without offering cash refunds if the credit exceeds tax liability. The bill remains pending in the 2026 legislative session.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates nonrefundable income tax credit reducing tax liability for eligible homeowners, providing targeted tax relief under fiscal responsibility framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1352: MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii I Hoa Na Moolelo program, including for the hiring of a graduate assistant, hiring of undergraduate writers, and acquiring a new website domain. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for UH program, directly increasing state budget allocation for public education and cultural initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates funds for University of Hawaii program including hiring staff and website, directly funding higher education operations per appropriation subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Higher Education

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2496: RELATING TO EARLY LEARNING.

SB 2496 appropriates state funds to the Executive Office on Early Learning to administer support for family-child interaction learning programs. It directly affects early childhood education providers and families participating in these programs by providing dedicated funding. The key mechanism is the allocation of specific budget resources to the Executive Office, which will distribute funds to eligible local programs focused on parent-child engagement. This bill does not change program requirements but ensures financial support for existing early learning initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds to early learning programs, directly increasing budget allocation for public services as required by the topic's indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates state funds for early childhood education programs, directly funding family-child interaction learning initiatives through the Executive Office on Early Learning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1837: RELATING TO THE INDIVIDUAL HOUSING ACCOUNT PROGRAM.

For taxable years beginning 1/1/2027, increases the maximum annual deduction for contributions to, and maximum account levels for, individual housing accounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deduction for housing savings, providing direct tax relief through expanded pre-tax savings options under individual housing accounts.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tax deductions for individual housing accounts, promoting pre-tax savings to enhance housing affordability through financial incentives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1754: 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/dental services from excise tax, providing direct tax relief to lower-income households.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts all medical/dental services from excise tax, reducing costs and improving access to healthcare services per the bill's expansion of tax exemptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 895: RELATING TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF FIREWORKS LAWS.

HB 895 allocates funds to county police departments to enforce existing fireworks laws, subject to specific conditions. It directly affects county law enforcement agencies by providing dedicated resources for fireworks-related enforcement activities. The bill's key mechanism is the appropriation of moneys for this purpose, without changing the underlying fireworks regulations. This is a funding measure, not a policy change to fireworks rules themselves.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates funds via appropriation for law enforcement enforcement, directly addressing budget appropriations under the topic's scope.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 2063: RELATING TO THE RENTAL HOUSING REVOLVING FUND.

Revises the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund by modifying the priority list for project funding and adding new project priority criteria. Authorizes fund transfers between the Mixed-Income Subaccount without legislative approval. Authorizes conveyance tax revenues deposited into the Rental Housing Revolving Fund to be transferred to the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates conveyance tax revenues to fund housing projects via the Mixed-Income Subaccount, directly advancing fiscal management of state tax revenues for housing programs.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingModifies funding priorities to support mixed-income housing projects via the Rental Housing Revolving Fund, increasing affordable housing access through dedicated funding mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2468: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 2468 would impose an additional tax (a surcharge) on individuals with taxable income exceeding $1,000,000. The revenue generated would fund the State Medicaid Program, but only if the Legislature approves the surcharge. This bill directly affects high-income earners by increasing their tax obligation. The measure is currently in early committee review stages and requires legislative approval to become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes surcharge on high earners to fund Medicaid, directly advancing state healthcare funding through targeted taxation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds State Medicaid Program via income surcharge on high earners, directly supporting healthcare access for low-income residents.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax State Budget Medicaid

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signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2095: RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

This bill allocates supplemental funding to the Hawaii Judiciary for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. It provides additional budget resources to support court operations and judicial services during this period. The bill directly affects the Judiciary's budget planning and resource allocation. (Note: As a procedural funding measure, not a policy change, the summary is concise per guidelines.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates supplemental funding to Judiciary for court operations, directly increasing public service budget allocation under Appropriations.95% confidence

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1668: RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE.

Establishes the Electric Vehicle Charging System and Infrastructure Funding Program and allows the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount to expend funds for the Program. Increases the amount of petroleum tax to be deposited into the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases petroleum tax to fund EV infrastructure program via subaccount appropriation, directly advancing fiscal allocation for clean energy initiative.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds EV infrastructure via Clean Energy program, redirecting petroleum tax to reduce fossil fuel dependence and advance renewable energy adoption.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds EV infrastructure via petroleum tax increases, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing transportation emissions per its Clean Energy focus.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds EV charging infrastructure program, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure development through dedicated appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Oil & Gas Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding

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