Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3270: RELATING TO TAX INCREMENT BONDS.

Conforms county debt limit statements law to permit counties to exclude tax increment bonds from the debt limit of the counties if a constitutional amendment authorizing the use of tax increment bonds and excluding tax increment bonds from determinations of the counties' funded debt is ratified.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables counties to exclude tax increment bonds from debt limits, promoting fiscal flexibility and management under county budget constraints.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Debt & Bonds Tax Incentives

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 2534: RELATING TO ROBOTICS.

HB 2534 would appropriate state funds to the Department of Education to establish robotics as an official interscholastic sport for public high schools. If passed, it would allow schools to form competitive robotics teams under state guidelines, with the Department developing program rules by July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects public high school students and athletic programs by creating a new competitive category. It is currently pending in the Education Committee after passing committee recommendations with amendments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds to fund robotics as a new interscholastic sport, directly allocating public budget resources for education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds to establish robotics as a competitive interscholastic sport, expanding student program opportunities in K-12 education under DOE oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1036: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Provides appropriations for collective bargaining cost items for the members of Bargaining Unit (10) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides state appropriations for public employee salary adjustments and collective bargaining costs, directly increasing government spending on personnel within budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds collective bargaining salary adjustments for public sector bargaining units, directly supporting workers' collective bargaining rights and wage negotiations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget Collective Bargaining

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 59: RELATING TO DISABLED VETERANS.

HB 59 would exempt qualifying disabled veterans from paying county vehicle registration fees, highway beautification fees, and vehicle weight taxes. The bill directly affects disabled veterans who meet specific eligibility criteria set by the state. It removes these three specific fees from their vehicle-related costs, providing financial relief for this group. The policy change focuses solely on eliminating these targeted fees without altering other vehicle tax structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts disabled veterans from specific vehicle taxes, providing targeted tax relief which aligns with support indicators for tax relief programs.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts disabled veterans from vehicle fees, providing direct financial relief and expanding benefits for this group.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2068: RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

Establishes the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force within the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to conduct a study, subject to legislative appropriation, on how to maximize housing development in transit-oriented development zones or other areas on state or county lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Establishes a position. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force study, directly allocating budget resources to advance housing policy.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes Affordable Housing Task Force to maximize development in transit zones, appropriates funds, and mandates report - directly advancing affordable housing goals.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill focuses on transit-oriented development zones to maximize housing near transit, promoting sustainable transportation integration through TOD strategy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Affordable Housing Housing Finance Land Use

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 260: RELATING TO TAXATION.

HB 260 would eliminate state taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel used in motor vehicles, directly affecting drivers and vehicle owners by reducing fuel costs. The bill requires fuel distributors to pass any tax savings directly to consumers, ensuring that the removal of state taxes lowers prices at the pump. This policy change focuses on concrete tax removal and mandatory price transparency for consumers, with no additional provisions or exemptions specified.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates state fuel taxes, providing direct tax relief to consumers through mandatory price reductions at the pump.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax State Budget

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 327: RELATING TO STATE CHILDCARE.

HB 327 allocates state funds to create a childcare center for state employees and their families, managed by the Office of the Governor. The bill directs the Governor's office to establish this facility, which would provide childcare services directly to eligible state workers. It appropriates the necessary funding to operate the center, effective July 1, 3000 (a date likely intended as a placeholder). This policy change creates a new childcare resource specifically for state employees, without altering existing childcare programs or funding for other groups.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds to establish a new childcare center, directly increasing budget allocation for a public service program.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides state-funded childcare for employees, directly supporting workforce retention and work-life balance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1352: RELATING TO PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT COST ITEMS.

Appropriates funds for collective bargaining cost items for the members of bargaining unit (7) and their excluded counterparts, including the cost of salary adjustments negotiated between the State and the bargaining unit representative for fiscal biennium 2025-2027. Effective 7/1/2050. Declares the expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2025-2026 is exceeded. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for public employee bargaining costs and salary adjustments, exceeding expenditure ceiling, directly funding public employment within budget framework.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds collective bargaining cost items and salary adjustments negotiated between state and bargaining units, directly supporting workers' collective bargaining rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget Collective Bargaining

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 1756: RELATING TO THE INDIVIDUAL HOUSING ACCOUNT PROGRAM.

HB 1756 updates the Individual Housing Account Program statute to adjust how down-payment costs are calculated, ensuring the program reflects current housing market prices. This change directly affects individuals using the program to save for home purchases by aligning eligibility and contribution requirements with present-day housing costs. The bill modifies the statutory formula used to determine down-payment assistance amounts, removing outdated cost references to better serve participants. (3 sentences)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill maintains pre-tax savings structure for housing program, providing tax relief to participants by alignating down-payment assistance with current housing costs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill updates Individual Housing Account Program to align down-payment assistance with current housing prices, improving access for homebuyers. This directly strengthens affordable housing programs by modernizing eligibility and contribution requir...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

Track

signed · Hawaii · House May 19, 2026

HB 1688: RELATING TO A GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION FOR AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE.

Provides a general excise tax exemption for the sale of material, parts, or tools used for aircraft service and maintenance or for the construction of an aircraft service and maintenance facility. Effective 1/1/2027. (CD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates tax exemption for aircraft maintenance, reducing state general excise tax revenue, which weakens the tax base and budget revenue.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationTax exemption supports aircraft maintenance facilities, a subset of transportation infrastructure, aligning with transportation policy goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives