Budget & Taxes

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2422: RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NINETEENTH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

HB 2422 allocates state funds for capital improvement projects within the Nineteenth Representative District. It directly affects residents and local infrastructure in that district by providing financial resources for physical upgrades, such as building repairs or facility enhancements. The bill’s sole mechanism is the appropriation of dedicated funding, with no additional requirements or program details specified in the abstract. It is currently in early legislative stages, having been introduced and passed first reading in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates state funds via appropriation for district infrastructure, directly advancing budgetary funding mechanisms without tax policy implications.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2784: RELATING TO TAXATION.

For taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026, 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 to establish a position in the Department of Taxation. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesApplies tax rate to rental car companies and appropriates funds to Department of Taxation and DHHL, funding essential programs per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill appropriates funds to DHHL to address beneficiary waiting list, directly funding housing development for Native Hawaiian homesteaders.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1432: RELATING TO HOUSING.

Adds loan funds administered by Nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) for certain for-sale affordable housing projects to list of loan priorities for the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund. Expands use of funds in the revolving fund to allow financing as matching funds for CDFIs to mobilize other funding sources. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands revolving fund usage for affordable housing, directing state funds to support essential housing programs via CDFIs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds CDFI loan funds to affordable housing priorities, expands revolving fund use for matching funds to boost housing development92% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2072: RELATING TO THE CONVEYANCE TAX.

Establishes the Homeless Services Special Fund. Allows counties to apply for matching funds from the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund for certain housing projects. Increases the conveyance tax rates for certain properties. Establishes conveyance tax rates for multifamily residential properties. Establishes new exemptions to the conveyance tax. Allocates collected conveyance taxes to the Affordable Homeownership Revolving Fund, Homeless Services Special Fund, and Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Amends allocations to the Land Conservation Fund and Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases conveyance tax rates to fund homeless services and affordable housing programs through dedicated revolving funds.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes Homeless Services Fund and allocates conveyance tax revenue to Affordable Homeownership Fund, directly funding housing initiatives per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Property Taxes

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2623: RELATING TO TAXATION.

HB 2623 establishes a new tax surcharge on high-income individuals, estates, and trusts, applying to taxable years starting after December 31, 2026. The bill directly affects high earners and large wealth holders by imposing an additional tax on their "wealth proceeds," though specific income thresholds are not detailed in the abstract. Key provisions include defining the tax base as wealth-related income or assets and setting a future effective date to allow for planning. The bill is currently in early committee review, having been introduced and passed its first reading in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new tax surcharge on high-income earners and wealth holders, increasing state revenue for budget purposes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax State Budget

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1816: RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSIONS.

HB 1816 increases the maximum grant amount available through the Cesspool Compliance Pilot Grant Project and appropriates funds to support this program. The bill directly affects property owners who need to convert or replace outdated cesspools to meet environmental standards. Its key mechanism is raising the financial support limit for eligible conversions, funded by the state appropriation. This change aims to make compliance more affordable for affected property owners without altering the program's eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state appropriations for cesspool compliance grants, directly funding environmental program through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds cesspool conversions to meet environmental standards, reducing groundwater pollution from outdated systems. Directly advances environmental protection through financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2403: RELATING TO RENEWABLE FUEL.

SB 2403 expands the renewable fuels production tax credit by broadening its eligibility rules or increasing the credit amount for producers. This bill directly affects companies that manufacture renewable fuels like ethanol or biodiesel, providing them with potentially larger tax benefits. The key change is modifying the existing tax credit program to support more producers or higher production volumes, without altering the core structure of the credit itself. The bill is currently in early stages of the legislative process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands renewable fuels production tax credit, increasing tax benefits for producers without reducing government revenue from this source.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands tax credits for renewable fuel producers, directly supporting renewable energy production and infrastructure through financial incentives.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax credits for renewable fuel producers, directly promoting clean energy production and reducing fossil fuel reliance per bill's focus on renewable fuels and sustainable aviation fuel.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands tax credits for renewable fuel producers, promoting sustainable transportation through cleaner vehicle fuels like ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Renewable Energy Transportation Funding

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2904: 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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases petroleum tax to fund public transportation, directly using tax revenue for a public service and establishing a dedicated fund.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill taxes petroleum products (fossil fuels) to fund fare-free transit, reducing fossil fuel dependence and aligning with energy policy goals.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentIncreases petroleum tax to fund fare-free transit, reducing vehicle emissions and promoting sustainable transportation per Environmental Response tax linkage.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates fare-free public transit systems and funds via increased petroleum tax, directly advancing public transportation access and infrastructure.95% confidence

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

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 529: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

SB 529 allocates state funds to the Department of Education for its Hoakea Program, which supports educational initiatives (specific program details not provided in the abstract). The bill directly affects the Department of Education as the recipient of these funds, with the appropriation becoming effective on July 1, 2050. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, and specifies no new requirements or eligibility criteria beyond the existing program structure. The bill passed committee recommendation with 5 ayes on February 3, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds to DOE's Hoakea Program, directly increasing budgetary support for public education without policy changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to DOE's Hoakea Program for educational initiatives, directly advancing funding without restrictions or policy changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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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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