Budget & Taxes across the country

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 7, 2026

GM 1286: Informing the Legislature that on July 6, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2599 SD2 HD3 CD1 (ACT 184).

This bill redesignates the existing stadium development district as the Halawa community development district to better manage the area surrounding the new Aloha Stadium and the nearby rail station. It transfers zoning and entitlement authority for this district from the City and County of Honolulu to the Hawaii Community Development Authority, allowing the state agency to oversee development and charge fees for services. Additionally, the bill creates a special fund to finance district projects and requires the comptroller to verify that all capital costs comply with laws and the intended use of public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a special fund to finance district projects and transfers authority to charge fees, indicating a mechanism to generate revenue for development.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1319: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2552 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 217).

This bill, signed into law by the Governor on July 8, 2026, amends Hawaii's Individual Housing Account Program to increase the tax benefits available to residents saving for a home. It directly affects Hawaii residents who wish to purchase their first principal residence by raising the maximum annual tax deduction for contributions to these accounts from $5,000 to $20,000 for individuals and from $10,000 to $40,000 for married couples filing jointly. Additionally, the bill increases the lifetime contribution limit for these accounts from $25,000 to $200,000 per individual or couple. The legislation also updates the definition of an eligible financial institution to include depository services loan companies, ensuring that contributions made to these accounts can be deducted from taxable income.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax deductions for housing savings, providing tax relief and encouraging home ownership.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases tax deductions for Individual Housing Accounts, directly funding and encouraging home ownership for residents.90% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

GM 1346: Informing the Legislature that on July 13, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2877 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 244).

This bill establishes a two-year pilot program in Hawaii where elementary students in grades four through six research, write, and illustrate their own books. The initiative targets up to ten public schools in Kalihi and Nanakuli-Waianae, allowing teachers to choose topics related to Hawaiian culture, the local community, or personal stories. To support the program, the state will appropriate $50,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, provided that private sources contribute at least 25% of the funding. Participating schools will receive budgets to implement the project as part of their existing curriculum, and the Department of Education must submit a report to the legislature in 2029 evaluating the program's success and feasibility for expansion.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $50,000 to fund a pilot program for elementary students, directly increasing state spending on education.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a pilot program for student book creation, allocates state funding, and supports local culture and education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1314: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2060 SD2 HD1 CD1 (ACT 212).

This bill, signed into law as Act 212, establishes a new Rental Housing Revolving Fund to support the development, construction, and preservation of affordable rental housing in Hawaii. The fund will be administered by the state corporation and can be financed through legislative appropriations, conveyance taxes, private donations, loan repayments, and interest. It provides various forms of financial assistance, including loans, equity investments, and credit enhancement, with a specific priority given to projects that include a significant number of very low-income units. The legislation also defines a "mixed-income rental project" as a development offering units to households at different income levels, primarily those earning at or below 140% of the area median income.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new Rental Housing Revolving Fund financed by legislative appropriations and taxes to fund affordable housing, directly advancing budget and taxation for public services.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a new fund to finance affordable rental housing development and preservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Renters

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1307: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1920 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 205).

This message informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB1920 into law on July 8, 2026. The bill amends state tax statutes to allow taxpayers to claim a low-income housing tax credit regardless of their eligibility for the federal version of the same credit. It also permits partnerships and limited liability companies to transfer or sell these tax credits to other taxpayers, even if those recipients do not own an interest in the qualifying building. The law takes effect immediately upon approval and includes specific provisions regarding how the credit can be allocated and transferred.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credits for low-income housing and allows transferability, providing tax relief and funding affordable housing.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands low-income housing tax credits and allows their transfer, increasing funding for affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

GM 1334: Informing the Legislature that on July 10, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2452 SD1 CD1 (ACT 232).

This bill serves as a formal notification to the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB2452 into law on July 10, 2026. The legislation establishes the state's debt limits for general obligation bonds by calculating allowable borrowing amounts based on a percentage of recent general fund revenues. It includes specific numerical projections for debt limits from fiscal year 2025-2026 through 2028-2029 and outlines the constitutional rules used to determine these financial caps.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes debt limits based on revenue, promoting fiscal responsibility and sustainable budget management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 5084: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to apply inflation adjustments to the base amount and adjusted base amount for purposes of determining taxable social security benefits.

This bill proposes to automatically increase the income thresholds used to determine how much of Social Security benefits are subject to federal income tax. Starting in 2027, the specific dollar limits would be adjusted annually based on the official cost-of-living adjustment, with any resulting amounts rounded up to the nearest hundred dollars. The change directly affects retirees and other individuals who receive Social Security payments, ensuring that the income levels triggering taxes on those benefits keep pace with inflation. By updating these thresholds, the legislation aims to prevent the taxable portion of benefits from growing disproportionately as prices rise over time.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax thresholds for Social Security benefits, providing tax relief to retirees and reducing the tax burden on lower-income seniors.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

Sponsor John Kennedy (R)

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9906: FIXER Act

The FIXER Act allows state and local governments to issue tax-free bonds for specific housing projects without being limited by the usual spending caps. This change applies to buildings that need repairs or upgrades, such as low-income housing where the required affordable rental period has ended or federally assisted structures. By removing these limits, the bill aims to make it easier to raise funds for preserving and improving existing residential rental properties. Additionally, the act adjusts rules on buying existing buildings to allow up to 50 percent of bond funds to be used for such acquisitions, up from the previous 15 percent limit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill enables tax-free bonds to fund housing repairs, increasing available capital for essential public infrastructure without raising taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe FIXER Act enables tax-free bonds for repairing and upgrading housing, directly funding preservation of existing rental properties and low-income housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

Sponsor Daniel S. Goldman (D) · 1 co-sponsor

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9936: PERFORM Act

The PERFORM Act restricts the Postmaster General from receiving bonuses or performance-based pay if the Postal Service runs a financial deficit, misses service targets, or fails to pass its annual audit. To enforce this, the law requires the Postmaster General to submit an annual report to Congress detailing all executive compensation, the metrics used to justify those payments, and the agency's financial and service performance data. Additionally, the Postal Service Inspector General must review these reports to ensure compliance with the new restrictions. These measures directly affect the compensation of senior Postal Service leadership and increase transparency regarding the agency's financial and operational results.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enforces fiscal responsibility by restricting executive bonuses during deficits and mandating transparency, aligning with budget management goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

Sponsor Dale W. Strong (R) · 6 co-sponsors

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9809: Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act

The Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act updates the tax credit available to small businesses that make their facilities more accessible to people with disabilities. It allows these businesses to claim the credit for a broader range of expenses, including equipment and services that go beyond the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act or are needed even if the business is not currently subject to those rules. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definitions of disability and reasonable accommodation within the tax code. The legislation also requires the Treasury Department to issue guidance and conduct public outreach to help eligible businesses understand the updated credit, with a report to Congress due two years after enactment. These changes will take effect for expenses incurred after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credits for small businesses, providing fiscal relief and encouraging accessibility investments.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands tax credits for businesses improving accessibility, fostering inclusive employment environments and supporting workers with disabilities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tags People with Disabilities

Sponsor Sarah McBride (D) · 3 co-sponsors

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