Latest news with #HawaiiLegislature
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Governor Green releases list of bills he plans to veto
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Governor Josh Green has released a list of bills he plans to veto. Governor Green Reflects on the Impact of Maui Week On June 6, Green informed legislative leaders and stakeholders of 19 bills passed during the 2025 legislative session of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature that he plans to veto. Green is not required to veto every bill indicated on the Intent-to-Veto list, but cannot veto a bill that is not included. 'Let me be clear: of the 320 bills passed by the Legislature this session, 19 are on our Intent-to-Veto list,' said Governor Green. 'Our team has completed a review of every measure and the overwhelming majority of legislation will become law. Each bill on today's list is based on thorough legal and fiscal analysis, and as always, was guided by what will best serve the people of Hawai'i, protect our resources and strengthen our future.' The list includes a measure that would allow the film tax credit to expire, as well as allowing the state to sell naming rights to facilities like the New Aloha Stadium. The following is a full list of bills being considered for vetoes: HB126: RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE HB300: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET HB302: RELATING TO CANNABIS HB496: RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA HB796: RELATING TO TAX CREDITS HB1369: RELATING TO TAXATION SB583: RELATING TO NAMING RIGHTS SB589: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY HB235: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY HB800: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT HB958: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION HB1296: RELATING TO THE MAJOR DISASTER FUND SB15: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION SB31: RELATING TO PROPERTY SB38: RELATING TO HOUSING SB66: RELATING TO HOUSING SB104: RELATING TO CORRECTIONS SB447: RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM SB1102: RELATING TO THE AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING UNIT To date, Green has signed 200 bills into law benefiting the people and the 'āina. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Green has until July 9 to issue final vetoes. All other bills will become law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Travel Weekly
09-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Hawaii's accommodations tax will apply to cruise lines
Christine Hitt Hawaii visitors will soon see their stays costing a bit more, as the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) is increasing next year. The Hawaii Legislature has passed SB1396, a measure meant to mitigate the effects of climate change by increasing the state's portion of the TAT from 10.25% to 11%, effective January 2026. Counties are also given the authority to increase their TAT up to 3%. "Travelers are increasingly seeking destinations that prioritize sustainability, and by investing in conservation efforts, renewable energy and sustainable tourism practices, Hawaii can maintain its competitive edge in the global tourism market while ensuring the long-term viability of its natural resources," the bill said. The bill has been sent to Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, and he has until July 9 to sign it. "This legislation, which I intend to sign, is the first of its kind in the nation and represents a generational commitment to protect our aina [land]. Hawaii is truly setting a new standard to address the climate crisis, and I want to thank lawmakers for their unrelenting work these past two years in bringing this to fruition," the governor said in a news release. For the first time, cruise ship passengers will also have to pay the TAT, effective January 2026. This comes after a law that went into effect this year added TAT on alternative places to stay outside of a hotel, such as a camper van. Those testifying in opposition to the bill stated that since climate change affects everyone in the state, it should be balanced across all taxpayers, and not solely on the tourism industry. They also worry that the increased taxes will negatively affect tourism. "Hawaii already has a reputation for having the highest visitor taxes of any destination in the world," the president of the Maui Chamber of Commerce wrote in her testimony opposing the bill. "In addition to taxes on visitor accommodations, visitors are also subject to the general excise tax, rental car fees and taxes on our roads, parking fees at state parks and other taxes and fees assessed on activity-based businesses, all of which are passed down to the consumer," she continued. "This proposed tax increase could further hinder our economic recovery, which remains below prepandemic levels and was severely affected by the August 2023 wildfires." Green, on the other hand, says that the measure enables the state to deal with wildfire risk due to climate change. "It is foundational to our ability to provide a safe and secure Hawaii for our children, our residents, our visitors and the environment," he said in a statement.
