STAND. COM. REP. NO. 142-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2444

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2444 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TAXATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the income tax credit for low‑income household renters from $50 to $100 per exemption claimed by the taxpayer.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that renters in Hawaii experience some of the highest housing and cost‑of‑living burdens in the country, yet they do not directly benefit from financial relief programs that assist homeowners. These households are further strained by regressive taxes, including the general excise tax, which disproportionately impacts lower‑income families already struggling to meet basic expenses. This measure provides targeted financial relief that can help stabilize household budgets and improve economic security for low‑income renters.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2444, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2444, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Economic Development & Technology.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

____________________________

LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair