Budget & Taxes

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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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

GM 1215: Informing the Legislature that on June 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2547 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 115).

This bill, signed into law on June 8, 2026, authorizes the Director of Finance in Hawaii to invest state surplus funds in short-term investment grade corporate bonds. The legislation amends existing state statutes to include corporate bonds with a minimum rating of AA- or equivalent as an allowable investment option alongside current choices like U.S. government securities and bank deposits. These investments must have a maturity date of no more than five years from the date of purchase, and any income generated will be credited to the respective state funds based on their contributions to the investment pool. The primary goal is to increase investment earnings and make additional resources available for state programs and debt obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes investment of state surplus funds, promoting fiscal responsibility and efficient management of government finances.85% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1259: Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3138 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 158).

This bill amends Hawaii's deposit beverage container program to reduce the financial burden of mandatory independent audits on small businesses. It establishes a tiered audit system where only distributors handling at least five million containers annually are required to undergo an independent audit, while those managing fewer than five million are exempt. Additionally, the law requires the Department of Health to develop a risk-based process for selecting specific distributors and redemption centers for periodic audits based on factors like transaction volume and past findings. These changes aim to balance the need for financial accountability with the economic realities faced by smaller operators in the beverage distribution industry.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces financial burden on small businesses by exempting them from costly mandatory audits, promoting fiscal responsibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1249: Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2921 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 148).

This bill directs the Director of Finance to move approximately $47.2 million from various state special funds into the general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027. The transfer includes balances from diverse areas such as tobacco enforcement, mental health services, and tax administration that exceed their specific annual requirements. The legislation aims to create a financial reserve to help the state maintain essential services if federal funding decreases or economic conditions worsen. It explicitly states that these transfers must not harm the state's ability to receive federal aid or meet existing contracts and bond obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill transfers funds to the general fund to create a financial reserve, strengthening state fiscal management and protecting essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill transfers funds including mental health service balances to a general reserve, ensuring continued funding for essential health services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1261: Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2429 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 160).

This bill directs the state to annually evaluate tax expenditures, such as income tax credits and tax exemptions, to ensure they remain effective and aligned with current public priorities. The key provision requires the government to collect and analyze data on these financial incentives to measure their actual outcomes, like job creation or economic growth, against their costs. By reviewing this information regularly, the legislature can decide whether to continue, modify, or eliminate specific tax breaks that may no longer serve their intended purpose or create unfair market advantages. Ultimately, the law aims to improve fiscal accountability and ensure that tax policies deliver clear value to taxpayers rather than relying on outdated assumptions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates evaluation of tax expenditures to ensure effectiveness and alignment with public priorities, promoting fiscal responsibility and accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability State Budget Tax Incentives

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1255: Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2802 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 154).

This bill establishes a new bachelor's degree program in agricultural science at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu to support the state's goals for sustainable and diversified farming. To make this possible, the legislation appropriates $375,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover program setup, one full-time administrative position, and necessary supplies. The program is designated as a matter of statewide concern, and the funding is authorized to begin on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $375,000 to fund a new agricultural science degree program, directly increasing state spending on education and sustainable farming initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a new bachelor's degree program in agricultural science and appropriates $375,000 for program setup and administration, directly expanding higher education access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 4, 2026

GM 1168: Informing the Legislature that on June 3, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1707 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 068).

This bill establishes a pilot program within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to help local farmers and ranchers pay for transporting their goods and supplies. Eligible participants, including small-scale producers and cooperatives, can receive reimbursements covering up to 50% of their transportation costs or a maximum of $25,000 per year, with a total annual budget cap of $2 million. The program is designed to offset rising shipping expenses and tariffs that currently make it difficult for local agricultural businesses to operate profitably. To ensure accountability, the department must submit an annual report to the legislature detailing how many producers were helped and how much money was spent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2M budget to fund transportation cost reimbursements for farmers, directly supporting state budget management and essential programs.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides financial reimbursements to offset rising transportation costs for farmers, directly supporting the transportation topic.85% confidence

Tags Agriculture

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 24, 2026

GM 1226: Informing the Legislature that on June 24, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2074 SD1 HD3 CD1 (ACT 125).

This bill, signed into law on June 24, 2026, updates Hawaii state statutes to govern the naming rights and revenue generation for a stadium facility. It explicitly allows the stadium authority to lease naming rights and permits advertising and marketing within the stadium, with all resulting funds directed into the stadium development special fund. The legislation also clarifies that state facility regulations do not apply to concessions under the stadium authority's jurisdiction and expands the list of revenue sources that must be deposited into the special fund. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill generates revenue for stadium development via naming rights and advertising, directing funds to a special fund, thus strengthening fiscal resources.75% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1271: Informing the Legislature that on June 26, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2892 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 169).

This bill formally notifies the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 169 into law on June 26, 2026. The primary provision of the act appropriates up to $50,000 from state general revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027 to assist the City and County of Honolulu. These funds are designated for the receipt, handling, and humane disposal of feral chickens that have already been captured. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $50,000 from state general revenues to fund feral chicken disposal, directly advancing the budget topic by allocating funds for a public service.90% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

GM 7: Letter dated April 9, 2026, transmitting a proposed conference draft amending H.B. No. 2272, H.D. 1, S.D. 1 to fund the arbitration award concerning Collective Bargaining Unit 11.

This bill provides emergency funding to pay for a legal arbitration award related to the Hawai'i Firefighters Association. It directs state general and special funds to cover specific salary increases, fringe benefits, and health insurance costs for firefighters in Collective Bargaining Unit 11 over the next two fiscal years. The legislation also allocates money to ensure that state officers and employees excluded from the union but on similar pay scales receive matching adjustments. Ultimately, the bill authorizes the release of approximately $3.6 million in current funds and outlines estimated costs for future years to settle the dispute.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates state funds to cover arbitration awards and salary increases for firefighters, directly advancing budget appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds arbitration award and salary increases for firefighters, expanding worker benefits and supporting collective bargaining outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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