Beginning 1/1/2027, increases the tip credit amount to equal twenty-five per cent of the minimum wage. Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to annually calculate the adjusted tip credit amount.
Requires the Chief Election Officer role to be an elected position by popular vote beginning with the 2030 general election. Amends the appointment process of the elections commission to subject nominations to confirmation by an appointing body. Makes conforming amendments.
Prohibits corporate owners from renting a single-family home to a residential tenant when the owner has a property interest in five or more such properties. Prohibits individual owners from renting a single-family home to a residential tenant when the owner has a property interest in seven or more such properties. Allows for exemptions and enforcement.
Establishes an occupational licensing task force to identify the ways in which state regulation of occupational licensure may be reformed to lessen the barrier of entry to fields of gainful employment while ensuring consumers remain protected. Imposes a reporting requirement. Appropriates funds.
Requires the University of Hawaii System to implement a financial literacy program offered at all campuses at no cost to students. Appropriates funds.
Requires the Department of Education to establish an electronic dashboard on its website that details the status of repair projects at all department schools.
Establishes the facilities relocation task force to identify and address the issue of the inequitable location of mental health facilities, clean and sober homes, homeless shelters, and supportive living homes across the island of Oahu, particularly on the Waianae Coast. Appropriates funds.
Requires voter registration roll maintenance and election audits. Establishes uniform chain-of-custody standards for ballots and election materials. Appropriates moneys.
Maddy summaryHB 2521 exempts the sale of groceries, healthcare services, and utility services from the general excise tax. This means businesses selling these specific items or services - like grocery stores, hospitals, and electricity/water providers - would no longer pay this tax on those transactions. The bill defines key terms to clarify which services qualify for the exemption. It directly affects businesses in these sectors by reducing their tax burden on core customer transactions.
Eliminates the Hawaii state income tax starting with the 2028 taxable year. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit a report to address the expected tax revenue shortfall and to propose conforming amendments to the Hawaii Revised Statutes.
