HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1585
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to the General Excise Tax.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Chapter 237, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"[Underlined: §237- ] [Underlined: Exemption of gross proceeds of sales on eligible groceries.] [Underlined: (a) There shall be exempted from, and excluded from the measures of, the tax imposed by this chapter all sales, and the gross proceeds of all sales, of groceries.]
[Underlined: (b) As used in this section:]
[Underlined: "Groceries" means any food or food product for home consumption that is eligible for purchase under the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program (7 U.S.C. 2011-2036d) and special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (42 U.S.C. 1786).]
[Underlined: "Groceries" may be further defined by the department, in consultation with the federal Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, through the enumeration of food items in rules or a tax informational release.]"
SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act, upon its approval, shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
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Report Title:
Taxation; GET; Exemption; Groceries; SNAP; WIC
Description:
Exempts eligible groceries from the General Excise Tax. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.