Budget & Taxes (Business Taxes)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 3046: RELATING TO INCOME TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a nonrefundable Workforce Builder Tax Credit for employers who employ qualified interns and apprentices, to be applied to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates nonrefundable tax credit for employers, appropriates state funds for workforce development, directly advancing fiscal policy through targeted tax incentive and funding allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SCR 12: URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PROVIDE OWNER-OCCUPANTS WITH COMPARABLY EQUIVALENT TAX DEDUCTIONS AFFORDED TO BUSINESS ENTITIES FOR EXPENSES RELATED TO PROPERTY OWNERSHIP.

This Hawaii Senate resolution (SCR 12) urges the U.S. Congress to change federal tax law so that homeowners (owner-occupants) can deduct the same property-related expenses as business property owners. Currently, businesses like real estate investment trusts (REITs) can deduct costs such as depreciation, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and utilities, but homeowners are limited to deducting only mortgage interest. The resolution states this disparity creates an unfair tax disadvantage for Hawaii homeowners, hindering affordability as housing costs are a major barrier. It does not create new law but formally requests Congress to address this imbalance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSeeks to expand tax deductions for homeowners, aligning with business deductions to reduce tax burden. Directly addresses tax equity for middle-income households, fulfilling tax relief indicator.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill seeks tax equity for homeowners by expanding deductible expenses, directly addressing property rights within housing policy as defined in the topic description.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Affordable Housing Homeownership Property Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3197: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Exempts the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs from the general excise tax. Removes the state income tax on unemployment compensation benefits. Doubles the standard deduction for individuals earning less than $100,000 and joint returns earning less than $200,000. Repeals the incremental increases on standard income tax deduction amounts. Increases the minimum income threshold and exemption amount for the low-income household renters' income tax credit. Removes the tax liability for the first $100,000 of individual income earned.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts groceries/nonprescription drugs from tax, removes tax on unemployment benefits, doubles standard deductions for lower/middle income earners - direct tax relief for targeted groups.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves income tax on unemployment benefits and doubles standard deductions for lower earners, increasing disposable income and strengthening worker financial stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Sales Tax Unemployment Workers' Compensation

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2884: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for a certain percentage of expenses paid to retrofit a residence with wind resistive devices or to purchase, install, or construct, a hurricane shelter on the taxpayer's property. Reduces the general excise tax rate on the gross proceeds or income from the sale of a concrete high-rise certified hurricane-resistant residential project or certain hurricane-resistant components of the project. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 12/31/2030. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit and rate reduction for hurricane-resistant home improvements, offering tax relief while incentivizing safety measures within state tax policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Credits

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1077: RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Increases the transient accommodations tax and allocates a portion of the tax to the general fund for projects that address climate change impacts and advance economic development and revitalization. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases transient accommodations tax and allocates revenue to general fund for climate/economic projects, directly funding government initiatives via tax revenue.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill allocates transient tax funds to climate change projects, which typically include renewable energy and clean infrastructure investments.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates transient accommodations tax revenue to climate change impact projects, explicitly funding environmental initiatives under economic development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes State Budget Tax Incentives Climate Change Tags Economic Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2562: RELATING TO THE RENTAL MOTOR VEHICLE SURCHARGE TAX.

SB 2562 requires rental companies to prorate the surcharge tax (an additional fee on vehicle rentals) when a customer rents a vehicle for fewer than six hours in a single day. This change directly affects short-term renters (e.g., those using a car for a few hours for errands or a quick trip) and the rental companies that collect the tax. Instead of charging the full daily surcharge for partial-day rentals, the tax would be calculated based on the actual rental duration. The bill aims to reduce the tax burden for brief rental periods while maintaining the tax structure for longer rentals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prorates surcharge tax for short rentals, providing tax relief to customers and aligning with support indicators for middle-income tax relief.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing Sales Tax

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1813: RELATING TO TAXATION.

HB 1813 amends and repeals specific exemptions within the state's general excise tax and use tax laws. This bill changes how certain tax exemptions apply, potentially affecting businesses and individuals who currently qualify for those exemptions. The legislation does not create new taxes or directly fund programs, but alters existing tax rules by removing or modifying eligibility criteria for exemptions. As the bill is very recent (introduced January 22, 2026), specific exemptions impacted or affected entities are not detailed in the provided context.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill repeals tax exemptions, closing loopholes and broadening tax base to increase revenue, supporting fiscal responsibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing Sales Tax

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2526: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for a certain percentage of expenses paid to retrofit a residence with wind resistive devices or to purchase, install, or construct, a hurricane shelter on the taxpayer's property. Reduces the general excise tax rate on the gross proceeds or income from the sale of a concrete certified hurricane-resistant residential project or certain hurricane-resistant components of a high-rise condominium. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Sunsets 12/31/2030.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits and rate reductions for hurricane-resistant home improvements, offering direct tax relief under taxation policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2792: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

Establishes a general excise tax exemption for the gross proceeds or income from the sale of groceries that are eligible under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), regardless of the means of purchase or the SNAP eligibility of the purchaser. Establishes a general excise tax exemption for the gross proceeds or income from the sale of nonprescription drugs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts SNAP-eligible groceries and nonprescription drugs from general excise tax, providing tax relief to low-income residents and aligning with fiscal support for essential needs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1498: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit for qualified productions that utilize qualified production facilities located within the State. Changes the cap amount and aggregate cap amount of the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit to unspecified amounts. Imposes the manufacturing GET rate on motion picture, digital media, and film productions and repeals the provision in the definition of "qualified production costs" that applied the term to mean costs incurred that are subject to the highest GET rate. Exempts from the GET amounts received by a motion picture project employer from a client equal to amounts that are disbursed by the motion picture project employer for employee wages, salaries, payroll taxes, insurance premiums, and employment benefits and payments to loan-out companies. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credits for film productions, reducing state tax revenue and weakening budget.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Incentives

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