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 · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 2057: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits any law enforcement agency or law enforcement official from entering into an agreement under federal law that permits state or county agencies to engage in immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officials from engaging in certain immigration-related actions, except under limited circumstances. (CD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts state funds from being used for federal law enforcement cooperation, limiting budget allocation per bill's prohibition on state resource usage.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prohibits state law enforcement from assisting federal immigration enforcement operations, aligning with sanctuary policies that limit state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect immigrant rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes 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

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 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 · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2919: RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

SB 2919 appropriates funds to hire one full-time equivalent Deputy Public Defender III position within the Office of the Public Defender. This bill directly affects the Office of the Public Defender by providing dedicated staffing resources for their operations. The key provision is the allocation of state funds specifically for this new staff role, which would support the office's capacity to represent indigent defendants in court. The bill does not create new legal requirements or change existing laws, focusing solely on budgetary support for personnel.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds to hire a public defender position, directly funding a public service essential to legal representation for indigent defendants.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds additional public defender staffing to improve representation for indigent defendants, strengthening public defense capacity within criminal justice system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2601: RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Amends criminal penalties under the Hawaii Public Procurement Code by providing that a person who intentionally violates the code is subject to prosecution for a misdemeanor in cases of egregious violations of the Code. Ensures that awarded contracts are supported by sufficient appropriations by requiring a contract amount that exceeds fifteen per cent of the amount of the appropriation or balance of an appropriation to be approved by the Chief Procurement Officer to become binding. Establishes positions within the State Procurement Office. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enforces fiscal responsibility by capping contract spending at 10% of available appropriations, preventing budget overruns and ensuring funds are properly allocated.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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