WORKING FAMILIES CAUCUS INTRODUCES 2026 BILL PACKAGE
- Hawai'i House Democrats
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – On Thursday, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature’s Working Families Caucus and community advocates introduced a five-bill legislative package dedicated to supporting working families by strengthening childcare subsidies, expanding the dependent care services tax credit, increasing Medicaid funding, and restructuring income tax brackets for higher-income earners.
“Hawaiʻi’s working families need our support more than ever, particularly as recent federal actions have put the safety and security of our communities at risk,” said Working Families Caucus Co-Convenor and Representative Jeanne Kapela. “By working closely with community advocates, our bipartisan caucus identified key priorities this session that we need to address, so that we may meaningfully support families across our state.”
The 2026 Working Families Caucus Bill Package consists of the following measures:
Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a Hawaiʻi Rx kids program to improve the economic stability of households with very young children who reside in the State through a one-time payment and several monthly payments.
Increases a taxpayer's applicable percentage of employment-related expenses that is used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit. Extends the sunset date of the temporary increase in maximum employment-related expenses that are used to calculate the household and dependent care services tax credit, established by Act 163, SLH 2023, to 6/30/2030. Sunsets 6/30/2030.
HB2008 – Relating to Taxation
Establishes a new bracket for higher-income earners for taxable years beginning after 12/31/2029.
Extends childcare subsidies to disabled parents or guardians, regardless of their employment status. Requires the Department of Human Services to evaluate caregiver capacity and dependent-care responsibilities when determining eligibility for medicaid home- and community-based services. Requires the Department of Human Services to update its evaluation form and functional assessment protocols related to level of care and at-risk needs determinations. Appropriates funds.
Establishes a surcharge on taxable income exceeding $1,000,000 to provide funding, if approved by the Legislature, for the State Medicaid Program.
The Working Families Caucus's mission is to protect workers’ rights and ʻohana across the state by developing and implementing a pro-labor agenda in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. The Caucus also aims to provide information and educate Members of the Legislature on issues that impact labor and working families. The Caucus works closely with unions, allies, and organizations dedicated to strengthening economic security for Hawai’i’s working families.
The Working Families Caucus is co-convened by Rep. Jeanne Kapela (D-5, Portions of Kea‘au and Kurtistown, Mountain View, Glenwood, Fern Forest, Volcano, Pāhala, Punalu‘u, Nā‘ālehu, Wai‘ōhinu, Hawaiian Ocean View, Ho‘okena) and Rep. Tina Nakada Grandinetti (D-20, Lē‘ahi, Kāhala, Wai‘alae, Kaimukī, Kapahulu).
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