HPR's coverage of the 2024 Hawaiʻi legislative session
Hawaiʻi Public Radio is tracking the latest news inside the Hawaiʻi State Capitol as bills approved in regular session, which ran from Jan. 17 to May 3, go to the governor's desk for decision-making.
If Gov. Josh Green intends to veto a bill, he must inform the Legislature of his plan by June 25. Green has until July 10 to sign a bill into law, let a bill pass without his signature, or deliver a veto.
The Legislature can override a veto in special session by a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
At the start of the session, lawmakers warned they would face tough decisions focusing on Maui's recovery and balancing core government functions.
In the end, they provided funding for Maui, approved more regulations for short-term rentals, cut income taxes and invested in biosecurity measures.
On this page, you'll also find interviews from HPR's The Conversation with state lawmakers, appointed officials and elected leaders.
Have a legislative tip or story idea for Hawaiʻi Public Radio? Contact us at news@hawaiipublicradio.org.
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Office of Gov. Josh GreenStarting in 2026, doctors will no longer have to pay the state’s general excise tax on health care for patients on Medicare, Medicaid and Tricare. It’s a major win for medical professionals who have had to pay a 4% tax to care for those on government health plans. -
Office of Gov. Josh GreenThe law eliminates the state’s lowest tax brackets and lowers the rates for all tax brackets. The cuts will take place in phases over a seven-year period and will cost the state $1.3 billion in yearly revenue.
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The state passed a new law to expand the counties' ability to control short-term rentals. The City and County of Honolulu is contemplating how to use the law to increase enforcement on Oʻahu. As HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports, it's difficult to know how county and state revenue would be impacted if more short-term rentals are phased out. -
As wildfire risk increases across the country, more states are seeing impacts to their budgets. But it's hard to get a clear picture on exactly how much states are spending on wildfire management, said researcher Colin Foard. -
According to this year's Point in Time Count, the amount of people experiencing homelessness increased by about 12%. For those unsheltered, the increase was higher at 17%. Throughout one day in January, volunteers surveyed Oʻahu's homeless population. HPR's Ashley Mizuo reports on the latest data. -
Oʻahu homeless numbers are up by 12% over last year — about the same as in 2018, according to the annual Point in Time Count. Gov. Josh Green talked with The Conversation on Thursday morning about the long view in tackling the homeless and housing crisis. -
Hawaiʻi drivers will soon be able to get a license plate with famed Hawaiian waterman Duke Kahanamoku. Money from the new plates will go towards promoting water safety.
