On June 3, Governor Green signed HB 2404 (Act 46, SLH 2024) into law, providing significant tax relief to Hawaiʻi’s working families. This legislation represents the largest income tax cut for working families in the state’s history. It increases the standard deduction and amends the tax brackets by eliminating the lowest brackets and lowering the tax rates for all brackets.
In signing this bill, the Green Administration reviewed various tax proposals under consideration in the Legislature, including the Child Care Tax Credit advocated by the Progressive caucus. Research by the Department of Taxation indicated that this tax cut was significantly more effective in supporting working families than other proposals. The measure is projected to provide ten times more benefits to working families than the childcare tax credit, resulting in a 71% decrease in income tax by 2031.
On May 3, Governor Green signed SB 2919 (Act 17, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi (SLH) 2024) into law. This legislation clarifies counties’ authority over land use regulations, particularly concerning transient accommodations such as short-term rentals. SB 2919 expands counties’ zoning powers and broadens the scope of the Transient Accommodations Tax Law.
On June 27, Governor Green signed HB 2159 (Act 87, SLH 2024), which amends Hawaiʻi’s mental health statute to enhance support for individuals needing assisted community treatment (ACT). These changes require assistance from the Department of the Attorney General in preparing and filing petitions for ACT and allow private petitioners to decline involvement. The aim is to streamline access to mental health services and divert individuals away from criminal justice proceedings.
On June 20, an agreement was reached in Navahine v. Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT), a constitutional climate case involving plaintiffs representing Hawaiʻi’s youth. Approved by a court, this agreement establishes a framework for HDOT to transition from fossil fuel dependency towards cleaner transportation options such as electric vehicles and alternative fuels while promoting walking, cycling/scootering, and public transit use.
On July 1, Governor Green signed HB 2430 (Act 155, SLH 2024), aiming to maximize participation in federal summer electronic benefits transfer (EBT) programs for children. This act requires collaboration between the Department of Education and Department of Human Services to share necessary data and comply with federal regulations. It appropriates $53,500 for education initiatives and $2 million for human services contingent on matching federal funds.
In response to recent wildfires on Maui Island in July last year; On July five Governor Green also signed legislation aimed at enhancing fire safety measures including creating Office State Fire Marshal Act209 SLH2024 Illegal Fireworks Task Force improve public safety Act208SLH2024
Governor Green has enacted over one hundred sixteen additional bills outside public signings within his ceremonial room alongside issuing seven vetoes due legal fiscal governmental operational efficiency concerns July nine
During legislative session advocating critical funding solutions against unprecedented crises such as wildfire recovery increased cost living shortage affordable housing homelessness despite high costs recovery balancing budget reforming system putting hard-earned income pockets residents building incredible successes past session said governor green highlights enacted laws people include good government bills six short-term rental regulation affordable housing condo owner relief historic income medical care get exemption healthcare access workforce development twenty-two dhhl native hawaiian thirteen keiki kupuna wellness sixteen agriculture twelve wildfire resilience disaster preparedness environmental conservation land management crime community safety seventeen designating state snails water two
Bills enacted into law by Governor Josh Green M.D., may be found on Hawaiʻi State Legislature website Office news releases relating bill signings matters statewide public interest Photos today’s conference courtesy uploaded here governor presented slide deck during event video viewed here
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