Bill > SB492

This bill extends and modifies the county surcharge on state general excise taxes, which was originally enacted in 2005. For counties that already established a surcharge before July 1, 2015, the bill allows them to extend the surcharge until December 31, 2045, at the same rates, provided they adopt an ordinance before January 1, 2028. For counties that had not established a surcharge before July 1, 2015, the bill permits them to establish a surcharge, but only if they adopt an ordinance before December 31, 2023, with the surcharge to be levied between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2045. The bill also modifies restrictions on how smaller counties (with populations of 500,000 or less) can use these surcharge revenues, specifically removing previous limitations on using the funds for housing infrastructure costs. The legislation updates several sections of Hawaii Revised Statutes to reflect these changes, extending previous sunset dates from 2030 to 2045, and is set to take effect on May 13, 2040. The bill aims to provide counties with continued flexibility in generating and using local tax revenues for transportation and infrastructure projects.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=492&year=2026