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 · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 177: RELATING TO AQUACULTURE.

Authorizes the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt, amend, and repeal rules to develop an evaluation and authorization process to import and transport aquatic livestock in the State. Requires the Aquaculture Program to develop a biological aquatic risk-based framework and biocontainment standards for the aquatic livestock evaluation and authorization process. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for Aquaculture Program development and biocontainment standards, directly addressing budget allocation within fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires biocontainment standards and risk-based framework to prevent ecological harm from aquaculture operations, aligning with environmental protection goals.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

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 1707: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes a Local Agriculture Transportation Cost Reimbursement Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to reimburse eligible ranchers and farmers a portion of their costs to transport livestock, livestock products, agricultural commodities, and certain necessary supplies, under certain conditions. Establishes a position to administer the Program. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2029. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for agricultural transportation reimbursements, directly advancing budget allocation for eligible farmers under specific program conditions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

SR 68: 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 Resolution requests the State Auditor to review no-bid contracts issued by state and county agencies during declared states of emergency between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025. The audit will examine how agencies justified these contracts, selected vendors, determined pricing, and maintained accountability for public funds during emergency periods. The Auditor will submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session. This measure aims to identify potential reforms to emergency procurement laws based on past practices.

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

Track

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

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 178: URGING ALL STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT TO IMPLEMENT PROMPT PAYMENT TRANSPARENCY MEASURES AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES FOR ITS EFFORTS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges all state and county agencies in Hawaii that handle construction projects to create public websites showing payment information for contractors and subcontractors. The bill asks these agencies to display details about job progress, payments made, and retained funds within one year of the resolution's adoption. It specifically thanks the Public Works Division for its existing transparency efforts and requests agencies unable to comply explain their barriers to the Legislature. While the resolution does not mandate immediate legal changes, it sets a timeline for agencies to report on their progress and consider future legislation to improve payment transparency in public construction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes government transparency in public works spending, which supports fiscal accountability and responsible budget management.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes