Budget & Taxes

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 376: RELATING TO TAX CREDITS.

Establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit for taxpayers who construct or install improvements to their residence that increase the residence's fire safety rating as calculated by the taxpayer's homeowner's insurance policy. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates nonrefundable income tax credit for home fire safety improvements, reducing taxpayer burden and aligning with tax relief policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 499: RELATING TO RESILIENCY.

Establishes the Food and Beverage Supply Chain Resiliency Income Tax Credit to be administered by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and Department of Taxation. Requires DBEDT to establish expedited permitting processes for food and beverage supply chain activities. Applicable to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax credit for food/beverage supply chain, providing tax relief through fiscal incentives to businesses, aligning with tax policy support.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2582: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Amends the requirements for productions to qualify for the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax to include completing at least fifteen per cent of the production's principal photography and post-production in the State within the same taxable year the production is qualifying for the Tax Credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill amends qualifications for film production tax credit, maintaining and adjusting tax incentive program to promote in-state economic activity within fiscal framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1629: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Increases the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit for qualified productions that utilize qualified production facilities located within the State. Changes the cap amount and aggregate cap amount of the motion picture, digital media, and film production income tax credit to unspecified amounts. Exempts from the general excise tax reimbursement to a motion picture project employer for employee wages, salaries, payroll taxes, insurance premiums, and employment benefits. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProvides film industry tax credit, reducing tax revenue; aligns with tax breaks for businesses (not middle/lower income)85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Sales Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 281: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Exempts food and groceries from the general excise tax. Expands a 2024 session law exempting certain medical and dental services to include all medical and dental services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts essential items (food, groceries, medical/dental services) from excise tax, providing direct tax relief for lower-income households and aligning with fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts all medical/dental services from excise tax, reducing patient costs and improving access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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signed · Hawaii · House Jul 7, 2026

HB 1576: RELATING TO FILMING.

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production obtains a permit or enters into a memorandum of agreement or understanding with DBEDT to film a visually recorded production at certain locations. Requires DBEDT to provide public notice of certain information whenever a production registers for pre-qualification or is determined to qualify for the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit and simultaneously post notice on a publicly accessible part of its website. Allows individuals to sign up to receive the public notice by electronic mail or postal mail. Provides an exemption for dispositions of lands set aside for filming and film studio operation from prior approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a film production tax credit, directly impacting tax policy and fiscal management per its summary and 'Tax Credit' subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1060: RELATING TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.

Establishes the Community Readiness Centers Program to be implemented and administered by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Establishes the Community Readiness Centers Special Fund to fund the Community Readiness Centers Program. Renames the Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Environmental Response, Energy, Food Security, and Resilience Tax and directs a portion of the tax into the Community Readiness Centers Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects tax revenue to fund Community Readiness Centers Program, advancing fiscal management of public spending through dedicated funding allocation.95% confidence

Tags Emergency Management

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 754: RELATING TO COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

HB 754 allocates state funds to the Department of Education to support community schools and creates a dedicated program manager position. The bill directly affects community schools by providing financial resources and administrative oversight through the new role. Key provisions include funding for school-based services and a designated manager to coordinate programs. The bill becomes effective July 1, 3000 (as noted in the abstract). This is a funding measure focused on operational support, not policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds to community schools via appropriation, directly increasing budget allocation for public education services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to DOE for community schools, creates program manager, and funds school-based services - directly advancing operational support and resources for K-12 community schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Student Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2039: RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE THIRTY-SECOND REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

HB 2039 authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for physical improvements in the 32nd Representative District, directly benefiting residents and local infrastructure in that area. Key provisions include borrowing money through bonds and allocating state funds specifically for projects like roads, buildings, or public facilities within the district. The bill does not create new policies but provides the financial mechanism to fund existing improvement needs. It is currently pending introduction and has not yet been considered by the full legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes state bond issuance and funds infrastructure projects in a specific district, increasing public spending on local facilities per appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds road infrastructure improvements in 32nd District via CIP bonds, directly supporting transportation infrastructure as specified in bill's road-focused projects and CIP subject.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 824: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

Appropriate funds to the legislative reference bureau to procure artificial intelligence software and analytic services to streamline state law and regulations. Requires a report to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds AI software for government efficiency, promoting fiscal responsibility through streamlined regulations and reporting.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAppropriates funds for AI software to streamline regulations, directly funding technology advancement for government efficiency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Artificial Intelligence

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