Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1556: RELATING TO TRUSTED PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES.

Establishes a Trusted Public Representative Program within the Office of Information Practices under which the Office assigns a volunteer Trusted Public Representative trained in the requirements of the Sunshine Law and observes public agency meetings closed to the public. Allows the Office of Information Practices to conduct background checks of current and prospective Trusted Public Representatives. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for the Trusted Public Representative Program, directly allocating budget resources to fund a new government transparency initiative.95% confidence

Tags Government Transparency

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2595: RELATING TO REGIONAL AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PRODUCTION.

Establishes the Regional Agricultural Feasibility and Food Systems Production Studies Working Group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to provide coordinated, region‑specific agricultural production and crop feasibility analysis across the State. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for the Regional Agricultural Feasibility Working Group, directly allocating state budget resources to fund this program.95% confidence

Tags Agriculture

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 2044: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Exempts a dormant captive insurance company that has been issued a certificate of dormancy from certain taxes and the requirement that its governing body hold at least one meeting each year in the State. Effective 1/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts dormant captive insurance companies from gross premiums tax, reducing state tax revenue and weakening fiscal management.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1664: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Requires the State to prioritize the installation of photo red light imaging detector systems in school zones if the State establishes a photo red light imaging detector system. Requires proceeds of fines collected for disregarding a steady red signal pursuant to a photo red light imaging detector system installed in a school zone to be deposited into the Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects traffic fine proceeds into Safe Routes to School Fund, funding a public safety program via existing revenue stream.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects traffic fine proceeds to Safe Routes to School Program Special Fund, enhancing student safety and access to schools through dedicated funding.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates photo red light systems in school zones and directs fines to Safe Routes to School Program, enhancing traffic safety and funding transportation infrastructure for student safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 527: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Appropriates funds for the establishment of five full-time equivalent (5.0 FTE) positions within the Civil Rights Compliance Branch of the Department of Education. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for 5 FTE civil rights positions in DOE, directly advancing public service funding within budget allocations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for civil rights equity specialists in DOE, advancing educational equity and compliance within education system.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 499: RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to develop a succession planning education program to educate and assist farmers and ranchers in the process of transitioning agricultural businesses to new owners. Requires the program to connect individuals interested in entering farming or ranching, or existing farmers or ranchers interested in expanding their business, with farmers and ranchers who have not yet identified a successor owner. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds ($), directly allocating budget resources to fund a new agriculture program, aligning with fiscal management and program funding indicators.95% confidence

Tags Agriculture

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 507: RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.

HB 507 allocates state funds to create a pilot program offering grants to homeowners for upgrading outdated cesspool systems. The program targets properties in specific areas to help meet environmental compliance standards, directly affecting homeowners with cesspools who may face replacement requirements. This is a temporary test project, not a permanent law, and will be evaluated after implementation to inform future policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds ($ appropriation) for cesspool grant pilot, directly funding a targeted environmental compliance program through budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds cesspool upgrades to meet environmental compliance, reducing pollution from outdated systems and promoting water quality standards.95% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1666: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Requires each county, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation to establish a Summer Streets Pilot Program that closes vehicular traffic and repurposes roads for pedestrian and cyclist use, outdoor events, and other community-driven activities. Requires each county to submit an initial proposal to the Director of Transportation. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for the Summer Streets Pilot Program, directly allocating budget resources to fund a new initiative under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds Summer Streets Pilot Program to repurpose roads for pedestrians/cyclists, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and community use.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2550: RELATING TO SCHOOL MODERNIZATION.

Requires the School Facilities Authority to establish a school modernization initiative through a capital improvement project planning database for school facilities statewide. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for school modernization initiative, directly funding public infrastructure under state budget authority.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for school modernization initiative via capital improvement database, directly improving school infrastructure and facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Safety

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2910: RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL.

Implements certain recommendations of the SPEED Task Force. Requires the State Building Code Council to provide annual training to state and county permitting agency employees. Appropriates funds for the training, subject to a matching funds requirement from the counties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for annual training with county matching, funding essential government operations per fiscal responsibility standards.95% confidence

Track