Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

SB 3076: RELATING TO TOBACCO ENFORCEMENT.

Clarifies that untaxed tobacco products are subject to forfeiture as contraband, without regard to the procedures set forth in Hawaii's asset forfeiture law in the same manner as untaxed cigarettes. Confirms the authority of the Department of Taxation and the Department of the Attorney General to inspect and seize tobacco products, including electronic smoking devices and e-liquids. Effective 9/1/2026. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enforces tax collection on untaxed tobacco via forfeiture, closing evasion loopholes and increasing state revenue through Department of Taxation authority.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 2094: RELATING TO JURY DUTY.

HB 2094 increases daily pay for jurors and prospective jurors who attend court, raising the amount each person receives per day of actual court service. The bill directly affects individuals summoned for jury duty across the state. It includes a funding appropriation to cover the increased payments, ensuring courts can implement the higher compensation rate. The change aims to improve compensation for citizens fulfilling this civic obligation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via appropriation to increase juror compensation, directly funding a public service (jury duty) through state budget spending, aligning with fiscal responsibility for civic obligations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 2050: RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

Increases the expenditure limit and the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all elective offices. Adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying contributions certain candidates must receive to participate in the program. Increases the matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions. Appropriates funds for the program. Effective 11/4/2026. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds to expand public campaign financing program, directly funding a government program under budgetary authority.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Hawaii · House May 29, 2026

HB 649: RELATING TO SMALL BOAT HARBORS.

This bill updates rules for fees and permits related to state small boat harbors, affecting harbor operators and users. It revises existing provisions to clarify how charges are assessed and what documentation is required for permits. The changes take effect on July 1, 2030, and aim to streamline administrative processes for small boat harbor management. The legislation does not alter the fundamental structure of harbor operations but focuses on updating fee schedules and permit requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases commercial vessel moorage fees (tax) and appropriates revenue for harbor improvements, directly funding a program through dedicated tax revenue.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2438: RELATING TO THE HAWAII CULTURAL TRUST.

HB 2438 establishes the Hawaii Cultural Trust within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to support cultural preservation. It creates an income tax credit for individuals and businesses donating to the Trust or qualified Hawaii cultural organizations, subject to specific conditions. The bill also introduces a special vehicle license plate with proceeds funding the Trust, effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025. These provisions directly affect donors and cultural organizations by providing new tax incentives and dedicated funding streams.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for donations to cultural trust, providing tax relief to fund preservation programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2289: RELATING TO THE EXPENDITURE CEILING ON THE AUTOMATED VICTIM INFORMATION AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEM SPECIAL FUND.

Repeals the statutory expenditure ceiling on the Automated Victim Information and Notification System Special Fund to address rising program costs and growing victim service demands. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves $600k annual expenditure ceiling on victim services fund to address rising costs, enabling necessary funding for essential programs.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves $600k expenditure ceiling on victim notification system fund to expand victim services within criminal justice system, directly funding victim support programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SCR 74: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF NO-BID CONTRACTS ISSUED BY STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES UNDER PROCLAMATIONS DECLARING STATES OF EMERGENCY DURING THE SIX-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2020, AND DECEMBER 31, 2025.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the State Auditor to examine no-bid contracts awarded by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will review how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods when normal procurement rules may be suspended. The Auditor will submit findings and recommendations, including potential legislative changes, to the Legislature before the 2027 session. This measure directly affects state and county agencies that have issued emergency contracts and aims to ensure transparency in how public money is spent during crises.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by auditing emergency no-bid contracts, ensuring accountability for public funds and preventing misuse of taxpayer money during states of emergency.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2446: RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.

SB 2446 increases the number of associate judges on the Intermediate Court of Appeals from six to seven and appropriates funds for this change. This bill directly affects the court's staffing structure by adding one judicial position. The key mechanism is a simple numerical adjustment to the court's authorized positions, funded through the state budget. It does not alter judicial procedures, case handling, or substantive law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds to add a judicial position, directly increasing budget allocation for court staffing under 'Appropriation ($)' subject.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 2606: RELATING TO OFF-SITE CONSTRUCTION.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Establishes a working group within the State Building Code Council to develop proposals for an off-site construction program. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for a working group to develop off-site construction proposals, directly allocating state budget resources for program development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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