Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB2546: Relating to Tax Credit for Research Activities.
Status: In committee, May 1, 2026
Restores the provision that makes references to the Internal Revenue Code's base-amount requirement inapplicable to the Research Activities Tax Credit, allowing all qualified research expenses to be claimed without regard to prior-year expenses. Increases the annual cap for the Research Activities Tax Credit.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to tax credit for research activities.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TAX CREDIT FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii must diversify its economy by encouraging and promoting research and development activities. These efforts will help attract and retain technology companies in the State and provide high-paying jobs that are necessary for residents to thrive in Hawaii. The legislature further finds that Hawaii has an opportunity to create careers that allow its young people to build their futures at home. When local graduates can find work that matches their education and ambition, they are more likely to remain in the State, raise families, start businesses, and strengthen the communities that raised them. Research and development jobs offer these meaningful careers rooted in imagination and skill. The legislature also finds that while tourism remains vital to Hawaii's economy, the State can and should build additional engines of growth. An economy grounded in research and innovation creates value from ideas--drawing on the creativity. HB2546 SD2 LRB 26-1260.docx HHiiiiiuiiiinmiiiii Page 2 H.B. NO 2546 H.D. S.D. education, and talent of its people. This approach increases economic resilience by ensuring that when one sector faces disruption, as tourism did during the COVID-19 pandemic and following the Lahaina wildfire, other industries can help sustain families and communities. The legislature additionally finds that economic research supports this …
Sponsors
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15) · primary sponsor
- Hartsfield, Daisy (D, 36)
- Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
- Susan Keohokapu-Lee Loy (D, 2)
- Lisa Kitagawa (D, 48)
- Matthias Kusch (D, 1)
- Tyson Miyake (D, 10)
- Daynette Morikawa (D, HD-017)
- Amy Perruso (D, 46)
- Shirley Ann Templo (D, 30)
Latest actions
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:40 PM; Conference Room 309.
- : Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:37 PM; Conference Room 329.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 4:31PM in Conference Room 411.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 11:30AM in Conference Room 411.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 8:01AM in conference room 411.
- : Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Thursday, 04-30-26 8:30AM in conference room 411.
- : Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 725).
- : Senate Conferees Appointed: DeCoite Chair; Wakai Co-Chair; Fevella.
- : Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).
- : House Conferees Appointed: Ilagan, Hussey Co-Chairs; Tam, Gedeon.
Votes
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2) (April 14, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 6, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
- EDT: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 24, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick excused (1) (March 10, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (March 2, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (February 19, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Tax Credit For Research Activities, DBEDT
Common questions
- What is HB2546?
- HB2546 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Tax Credit for Research Activities.
- What does HB2546 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to tax credit for research activities.
- What is the status of HB2546?
- In committee as of May 1, 2026. Latest action: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:40 PM; Conference Room 309. (May 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2546?
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2546?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2546&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.