Budget & Taxes (Sales Tax)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2891: RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

SB 2891 exempts grocery purchases made by individuals aged 65 and older from Hawaii's general excise tax. This policy change directly affects seniors who buy groceries, removing a sales tax on these items. The key provision is a targeted tax exemption for grocery sales specifically to this age group. The bill is currently under review by the House Health and Human Services Committee after passing its first reading.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts seniors' groceries from GET, providing tax relief to lower-income seniors, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Tags Seniors

Track

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

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2575: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies. Appropriates funds for a position in the Department of Taxation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesApplies standard tax rate to rental car companies' vehicle purchases and funds tax department position, strengthening tax collection and fiscal management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

Track

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 2385: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Beginning 1/1/2027, authorizes the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, instead of the counties, to approve and certify general excise tax exemptions for certain housing development projects developed under county housing incentive programs. Sunsets 7/1/2031. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes tax exemptions for housing projects, reducing tax burden on developers to advance affordable housing through fiscal incentives, aligning with tax relief for development programs.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes tax exemptions for housing development projects under incentive programs, reducing costs to increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1996: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts from the sale of hearing aids received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for necessary medical devices, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aid sales from tax, reducing costs and improving access to a healthcare service (hearing aids) for patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2586: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Applies the retail or higher general excise tax or use tax rate to purchases or imports of new motor vehicles by rental car companies and requires the revenue to be deposited into the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Establishes the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Appropriates funds for a position in the Department of Taxation. Appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesApplies higher tax rate to rental car companies and appropriates funds for Taxation Dept and DHHL, supporting fiscal management and essential programs.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAppropriates funds to DHHL to address housing beneficiary waiting list, directly funding a housing program for Native Hawaiians.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2848: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts from the sale of hearing aids received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual. Effective 1/30/2050. Implementation effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for medical devices, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aid sales from tax, reducing costs for patients and improving access to medical devices under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1495: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual, from the sale of hearing aids. Effective 12/31/2050. Sunsets 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for healthcare providers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aids from tax, reducing patient costs and improving access to a medical device, aligning with healthcare access support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3303: RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes general excise tax on sports wagering operators to fund Problem Gambling Prevention Special Fund, creating new revenue stream for state programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund under DOH, directly funding mental health services related to gambling.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 2451: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires each county to implement fare-free access to its public transportation systems. Establishes the Fare-Free Public Transportation Tax and Dividend Special Fund. Increases the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax on petroleum products to fund fare-free public transportation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases petroleum tax to fund fare-free public transit, directly allocating tax revenue to a public service program per bill's funding mechanism.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyIncreases petroleum tax (energy sector) to fund fare-free transit, reducing fossil fuel dependence and advancing sustainable transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill taxes petroleum (Environmental Response Tax) to fund fare-free public transit, reducing vehicle emissions and promoting cleaner transportation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates fare-free public transit funding via new tax, directly advancing public transportation access and sustainability through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Oil & Gas Public Transit Transportation Funding

Track