Budget & Taxes (Fees & Licensing)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2469: RELATING TO THE ESTATE AND GENERATION-SKIPPING TRANSFER TAX.

Establishes an unrealized gains surcharge on certain property transfers subject to the estate and generation-skipping transfer tax. Except for certain types of properties within estates, lowers the applicable exclusion amount allowed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds unrealized gains surcharge and lowers exclusion amount, increasing estate tax revenue for fiscal management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2464: PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES VIII AND X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE ON RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Proposes amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution to repeal the counties' exclusive power to tax real property, and to authorize the Legislature to establish a state surcharge on real property taxes levied by the counties on certain residential investment properties, for the purpose of helping to fund public education for all of Hawaii's children and adults.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes state surcharge on investment property taxes to fund public education, directly increasing tax revenue allocation for a public service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly authorizes a surcharge on residential investment properties to increase public education funding, directly advancing educational funding per constitutional amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 10, 2026

HB 2147: PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES VIII AND X OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO AUTHORIZE THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A SURCHARGE ON RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PROPERTY TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

Proposes amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution to repeal the counties' exclusive power to tax real property, and to authorize the Legislature to establish a state surcharge on real property taxes levied by the counties on certain residential investment properties, for the purpose of helping to fund public education for all of Hawaii's children and adults. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes state surcharge on residential investment property taxes to fund public education, increasing state revenue for essential services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProposes constitutional amendment to impose surcharge on investment properties specifically to increase public education funding, directly advancing education finance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1335: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a general excise tax exemption for the gross proceeds or income from the manufacture, production, packaging, and sale of diapers. Establishes a surcharge on the general excise tax and use tax for the sale or use of luxury cars.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts diapers (tax relief for lower income) and adds luxury car surcharge (progressive revenue), aligning with tax relief and fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2604: RELATING TO PERFORMING ARTS.

HB 2604 would add a small surcharge to the price of tickets for certain live performing arts events held in the state, such as theater, dance, or music performances. This fee would directly affect ticket buyers attending those specific events. The bill establishes a new fee structure where the surcharge is collected by the ticket seller and added to the final ticket price. The exact amount and specific event types covered aren't detailed in the provided abstract, but the surcharge applies only to events occurring within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes ticket surcharge to fund performing arts grants, creating new tax revenue for specific program funding per topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 220: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION FINANCING.

Authorizes a county that has adopted a surcharge to state tax to extend the surcharge to 12/31/2056. Extends the end date of the one percent Transient Accommodation Tax increase to 12/31/2056. Requires the State Auditor to conduct an audit and annual review of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation until 12/31/2056. Requires the Comptroller to certify the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation's invoices for capital costs until 12/31/2056.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends transportation tax surcharges and mandates fiscal audits until 2056, ensuring sustained funding and oversight for transportation projects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends transportation financing mechanisms (surcharge, taxes) and mandates ongoing funding/audits for Honolulu's rapid transit authority (HART) until 2056, directly advancing public transit infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Fees & Licensing Transportation Funding

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1458: RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FEES.

Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources the environmental stewardship fee program to collect a fee from visitors through an environmental stewardship license and allocate the revenue to protect, restore, and manage natural and cultural resources through grants to nonprofit organizations. Establishes the environmental stewardship fee special fund. Establishes the Environmental Stewardship Commission to make recommendations to the Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding the use of revenues in the special fund. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct rulemaking. Requires a report to the legislature, including an environmental stewardship fee strategic plan. Creates civil or administrative penalties to be imposed after July 1, 2030. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new environmental stewardship fee (tax) to fund conservation programs via special fund, directly allocating revenue for resource protection under budget management.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill establishes fee program funding grants for environmental protection, restoration, and resource management per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 607: RELATING TO DISABLED VETERANS.

Exempts disabled veterans from the State's vehicle weight tax and repeals the exemption for disabled veterans from the State's annual vehicle registration fee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepealing disabled veterans' exemption from annual vehicle registration fee increases state revenue, directly supporting budget management through additional tax collection.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill exempts disabled veterans from vehicle weight tax, expanding tax benefit while repealing another exemption (net support for veterans' financial relief).85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 247: RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LAND CONVEYANCE TAX.

SB 247 would add a surcharge to the existing conveyance tax on the profit (net capital gain) when agricultural land is sold or transferred. This bill directly affects owners who sell agricultural land, as they would pay an additional fee based on the sale profit. The key provision requires calculating the surcharge using the net capital gain from the land transfer, separate from the standard conveyance tax. The bill is currently pending in committee review for the 2026 legislative session.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds tax surcharge on agricultural land sales, increasing state revenue through expanded conveyance tax structure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 657: RELATING TO DISABLED VETERANS.

Exempts disabled veterans from the State's vehicle weight tax and repeals the exemption for disabled veterans from the State's annual vehicle registration fee. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill repeals tax exemption for vehicle registration fee, increasing state revenue by collecting previously waived fees.95% confidence ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransRepeals disabled veterans' annual vehicle registration fee exemption, removing a financial benefit, while maintaining weight tax exemption. Reduces veteran relief.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Veteran Benefits

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