Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2662: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.

Requires each purchasing agency to provide justification for hiring external consultants. Requires each agency to seek approval from the Legislature for consulting contracts exceeding a certain dollar amount. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Compliance Audit Unit within the Office of the Auditor to conduct regular audits of agency consultant contracts to assess cost-effectiveness and compliance. Establishes exceptions. Requires each chief procurement officer to ensure that inherent government functions are not delegated to a contractor. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes spending caps and audit requirements on consultant contracts to enhance fiscal accountability in state spending, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 2362: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 2362 would eliminate a specific tax deduction for real estate investment trusts (REITs), requiring them to pay taxes on dividends they distribute to shareholders instead of deducting those payments. This change directly affects REITs, which are companies that own and operate real estate properties and typically rely on this deduction to reduce taxable income. The key provision removes the "dividends paid deduction" from the tax code, meaning REITs would no longer be able to subtract their dividend payments from their taxable earnings. This policy change would increase the tax burden on REITs without altering their operational structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates REIT tax deduction, closing a loophole to increase tax revenue from real estate entities, aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 3047: RELATING TO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Requires the Department of Education to implement financial literacy instruction into existing courses in public high schools that have sufficient overlap with financial literacy program standards beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Requires the Board of Education to provide professional development to teachers. Authorizes the Board of Education to adopt rules. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds for financial literacy education, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding essential programs per budget/taxes topic indicators.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial literacy curriculum integration, funds implementation, and requires teacher professional development - directly advancing educational content and resources in K-12 schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 3296: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Establishes the Conservation and Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Pilot Program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/28. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for a Conservation and Agriculture program, directly advancing state budget allocation for a specific initiative under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Conservation and Agriculture Environmental Stewardship Pilot Program with funding, advancing environmental protection and resource conservation in agriculture.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 1190: RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL.

SB 1190 provides funding to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to support its efforts in controlling and eradicating invasive species across the state. The bill directly affects the Council by allocating financial resources for its ongoing initiatives to protect Hawaii's native ecosystems and agriculture. Key provisions include appropriating state funds specifically for invasive species management programs, such as monitoring, removal, and prevention activities. This funding aims to strengthen the Council's capacity to address threats posed by non-native plants and animals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds for invasive species management, directly increasing budget allocation for a specific program under Department of Land and Natural Resources.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentSB 1190 allocates state funds to control invasive species, directly protecting native ecosystems and agriculture per the Council's mission, aligning with environmental protection indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2310: RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES.

SB 2310 allocates state funds to remove overgrown vegetation from Kainahola Stream. This bill directly affects the maintenance and ecological health of Kainahola Stream by authorizing the specific funding for vegetation removal. The key provision is the appropriation of money for this stream cleanup effort, with no additional policy changes or regulations. The bill is currently under review by the AEN/WLA committee, with a public hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for stream maintenance, directly appropriating budget resources for environmental public service.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates state funds for Kainahola Stream vegetation removal to maintain ecological health, directly supporting conservation and pollution control through targeted appropriations.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2488: RELATING TO THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL.

Establishes the position of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council Executive Director. Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, rather than the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, for the HISC for fiscal year 2026-2027. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds to DLNR for HISC, explicitly allocating budget resources for a specific program. This funds a program, aligning with 'funds essential programs' under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill appropriates funds to DLNR for Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC) to manage invasive species, directly protecting native ecosystems and conservation efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2887: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

For taxable years beginning after 1/1/2027, establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit for certain agricultural investment costs incurred for agricultural activities conducted on Hawaiian home lands. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit eligibility for agricultural costs including Hawaiian home lands and orchard planting, providing tax relief to qualifying entities under Budget & Taxes framework.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2741: RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

SB 2741 would gradually remove the state's general excise tax from locally produced food items, such as farm-fresh produce and meals prepared by local restaurants. The bill phases in this tax exemption over time, starting with certain food categories and expanding to others in subsequent years. This change directly affects local food producers (like farms and small eateries) and consumers purchasing these items, reducing their tax burden. The bill is currently in early stages (introduced January 23, 2026) and has not yet been voted on by the legislature.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill removes tax on local food, reducing state revenue and weakening tax base without offsetting measures.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2905: RELATING TO ENERGY.

Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax and the amount collected from the tax that is deposited into the Electric Vehicle Charging System Subaccount. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax revenue specifically for funding an electric vehicle charging system subaccount, directly advancing fiscal allocation for infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill increases tax revenue specifically for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, directly funding clean energy infrastructure development.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases tax to fund EV charging infrastructure, promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions through dedicated subaccount funding.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds electric vehicle charging infrastructure via dedicated tax revenue, directly advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure as a core component of transportation policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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