# Hawaii HB 959: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Hawaii HB 959, RELATING TO TAXATION., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1) House bill sponsored by Darius K. Kila (Democratic); status first reading, last action 2025-02-07 (The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB959-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 959
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)
- Title: RELATING TO TAXATION.
- Status: first reading
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2025-01-21
- Last action: 2025-02-07, The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
- Sponsor: Darius K. Kila (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 4
- Subjects: General Excise Tax, Groceries, Nonprescription Drugs, Income Tax, Income Tax Brackets, Standard Deduction, Unemployment Insurance, Exemptions, Maui Recovery Special Fund, Appropriations, ECD, FIN
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Exempts the sale of groceries and nonprescription drugs from the general excise tax. Incrementally increases the general excise tax over four years, with the increased proceeds during certain fiscal years to be deposited into the general fund. Removes the state income tax on unemployment compensation benefits. Doubles the standard deduction for individuals earning less than $100,000 and joint returns earning less than $200,000. Repeals the incremental increases on standard income tax deduction amounts. Increases the minimum income threshold and exemption amount for the low-income household renters' income tax credit. Removes the tax liability for the first $100,000 of individual income earned. Establishes the Maui Recovery Special Fund to be used for recovery programs related to the 2023 Maui wildfires. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2024.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Darius K. Kila (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Luke A. Evslin (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: LAMOSAO
- Cosponsor: Nicole E. Lowen (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Dee Morikawa (Democratic), House

## Actions (5)

- 2025-02-07: The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. (House)
- 2025-02-04: Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Friday, 02-07-25 10:15AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2025-01-23: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)
- 2025-01-23: Referred to ECD, FIN, referral sheet 3 (House)
- 2025-01-21: Pending introduction. (House)

## Bill text

- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB959_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB959_.pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES. (signed)
- SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY. (signed)
- HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS. (signed)
- HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION. (signed)

## Sources
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB959_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB959_.pdf)

## Related
- [SB 572: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB572-2025)
- [HB 431: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB431-2025)
- [HB 420: RELATING TO REMEDIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB420-2025)
- [SB 1296: RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB1296-2025)
- [HB 830: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB830-2025)
- [HB 1064: RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1064-2025)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB959-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).