Budget & Taxes (Revenue)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 5, 2026

GM 1198: Informing the Legislature that on June 5, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1860 HD2 SD1 (ACT 098).

This bill officially designates the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra as the "State of Hawaii Symphony Orchestra" to formalize its role as a significant cultural resource for the state. By making this designation, the legislation exempts the orchestra from certain financial restrictions found in Chapter 42F of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, allowing it to receive state general revenue funds without adhering to those specific qualifying standards. While the orchestra gains access to state funding to cover operating costs, the law explicitly preserves the group's autonomy and ensures that any standards regarding the use of funds still apply to any third-party contractors the orchestra hires. Additionally, the bill requires the orchestra's chief executive to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how state funds were used in the previous fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra from financial restrictions to allow state general revenue funding, directly advancing state cultural programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3205: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases from 70% to 90% the taxation rate on electronic smoking devices and e-liquid sold, used, or possessed by a wholesaler or dealer after 12/31/2026. Provides for the deposit of the additional tax revenue into the Hawaii cancer research special fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax rate on e-cigarettes to fund Hawaii cancer research special fund, directly allocating new revenue to a public health program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2507: RELATING TO WATER POLLUTION.

SB 2507 appropriates general funds to the water pollution control revolving fund, creating additional low-interest loans for eligible water pollution projects. It directly affects local governments, utilities, and other entities seeking funding for wastewater treatment, stormwater management, or other pollution control infrastructure. The bill modifies the revolving fund's funding structure to expand access to these loans without requiring new tax revenue. This is a funding mechanism change, not a new regulatory requirement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates general funds to expand water pollution loan access, funding public infrastructure via revolving fund without new tax revenue.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates low-interest loans for water pollution projects (wastewater/stormwater), directly funding pollution control infrastructure without new taxes, aligning with environmental protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Water Quality

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1572: RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Establishes the Hawaii State Sports Wagering Commission within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators. Establishes penalties for violations. Specifies that sports wagering shall not be considered games of chance or gambling. Allows the commission to conduct background checks on applicants for a sports wagering operator license and persons in control of applicants for a sports wagering operator license. Requires tax revenue collected from sports wagering to fund certain initiatives, including 50 per cent for public education programs and 25 per cent for affordable housing. Requires the commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes sports wagering taxation framework, creating new state revenue stream through licensing fees and operator taxes, directly supporting fiscal management and budget generation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1333: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Authorizes the use of county surcharge revenues for transportation and housing infrastructure in counties having a population of 500,000 or less. Authorizes counties that have previously adopted a surcharge on state tax ordinance after July 1, 2015, to amend the uses of the surcharge. Extends the period within which a county with a population of 500,000 or less may collect a surcharge on state tax, under certain conditions, to 12/31/2047. Authorizes cost-sharing with private or other public developers for housing infrastructure projects funded by surcharge revenues. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes county surcharge revenues for transportation/housing infrastructure, directing existing tax funds toward public projects and aligning with fiscal responsibility and infrastructure funding.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes county surcharge revenues for housing infrastructure funding, directly advancing housing development and infrastructure projects in qualifying counties.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes county surcharge revenues for transportation infrastructure funding in counties under 500k population, extending collection period to 2047.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Sales Tax Transportation Funding

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1131: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Imposes an excise tax on certain hedge funds failing to dispose of excess single-family residences, escalating over a ten-year period. Imposes a tax on any newly acquired single-family residences by a hedge fund. Makes certain exemptions. Requires the Department of Taxation to establish a certification process to ensure buyers of homes sold by hedge funds are not major investors in residential real estate. Establishes the Housing Down Payment Trust Fund to be administered by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide grants to establish new or supplement existing programs that provide down payment assistance to families purchasing homes within the State. Allocates collected tax revenue and penalties paid by hedge funds to the Housing Down Payment Trust Fund. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes excise tax on hedge funds to fund Housing Down Payment Trust Fund, advancing public housing initiatives through targeted taxation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingImposes tax on hedge funds holding homes to increase availability and creates Housing Down Payment Trust Fund for affordability, directly advancing housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Revenue Sales Tax Homeownership Housing Finance Property Development

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 22, 2026

SB 2012: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 2012 removes a limit on the amount of property transfer tax revenue that must be directed to the land conservation fund. This change directly affects the land conservation fund by allowing it to receive all available conveyance tax revenue without a previously set maximum. The key mechanism is repealing the existing cap, meaning more funds could flow to land conservation projects as property transfers occur. This policy change shifts how tax revenue is allocated, increasing potential funding for land conservation efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves cap on conveyance tax revenue for land conservation, increasing funding allocation to a government program without restricting tax revenue.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves cap on conveyance tax revenue for land conservation fund, increasing funding for environmental conservation projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Conservation

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2394: RELATING TO TAXES.

Excludes the sale of a motor vehicle to a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle as a sale at wholesale. Imposes the maximum allowable excise tax on the use of tangible personal property in the State for the importation or purchase of a motor vehicle by a lessor of rental motor vehicles for use as a rental motor vehicle. Establishes a Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund to pay a temporary hazard pay bonus to certain eligible teachers. Beginning 7/1/2026 until 7/1/2030, deposits the additional tax revenue generated by this Act into the Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund, allocating state funds for educator bonuses and establishing tax mechanisms to fund it.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes a Teacher Temporary Hazard Pay Special Fund for eligible teachers, directly supporting educator compensation and retention.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Sales Tax Teachers

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1404: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the tax rates for cigarettes and little cigars beginning 1/1/2026, amends the disposition of tax revenues to certain non-general funds starting from fiscal year 2026-2027, with the excess carrying over to the general fund, and expands the tax disposition of tax revenues to the funds to include all tobacco product taxes. Repeals obsolete historical tax rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tobacco tax rates and directs excess revenue to general fund, strengthening fiscal management and funding mechanisms per tax disposition changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Sales Tax

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1457: RELATING TO TAX INCREMENT FINANCING.

HB 1457 allows the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to request tax increment financing (TIF) from counties. This would enable DHHL to use future increases in local property tax revenue from specific development areas to fund current projects. The bill directly affects DHHL and county governments, as it creates a formal process for counties to approve such financing requests. (Effective date listed as 7/1/3000 appears to be a typo; standard TIF mechanisms typically apply to current development projects.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables DHHL to use future property tax revenue increments to fund current projects, strengthening fiscal management and government spending mechanisms for county budgets.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables DHHL to use TIF funding for housing projects, directly supporting housing development through a dedicated financing mechanism.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Property Development Property Taxes

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