State Legislature

Starting 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.

The 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.

The decrease was due to a potential 17% decrease in May tax revenue — largely based on a drop in personal and corporate income tax revenue.

Gov. Josh Green signed several measures into law that are aimed at assisting condominium owners with large expenses, such as repairs and energy projects.

The mural, painted by several artists and volunteers over the last two weeks, stretches about 10 feet tall and a quarter mile long. It serves to reflect the rich culture of the Pacific Islands.

For those with questions about the legislative process, the Public Access Room at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol probably has your answers. Virginia Beck has led the PAR for nearly 10 years — and has worked there for almost 20. Under her supervision, the PAR has expanded its reach to Hawaiʻi residents. HPR's Ashley Mizuo spoke with Beck ahead of her last day.

Local officials and advocates are celebrating the passage of significant housing reform bills that made it through the state legislative session. Perhaps the most notable — and controversial — of those measures is a bill that forces the counties to increase the number of accessory dwelling units allowed on residential properties in urban areas by 2026. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

A former state Director of Health on what health care reform may look like for Hawaiʻi; Longtime leader of state Legislature's Public Access Room to step down

A “bad actor” accused of giving away plants infested with little fire ants has had its name cleared by the state Department of Agriculture — but that's done little to satisfy concerns that the department isn’t doing enough to stop invasive species. Meanwhile, the business is trying to recover from the hit to its reputation. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

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.