THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	681
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
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. Section 209E-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§209E-11 State general excise exemptions. The department shall certify annually to the department of taxation that any qualified business is exempt from the payment of general excise taxes on the gross proceeds from an eligible business activity as defined in this chapter; provided that agricultural businesses [other than those engaged in the production of genetically-engineered agricultural products] shall not be exempt from the payment of general excise taxes on the gross proceeds of agricultural retail sales. The gross proceeds received by a contractor licensed under chapter 444 shall be exempt from the general excise tax for construction within an enterprise zone performed for a qualified business within an enterprise zone or a business that has been approved by the department to enroll into the enterprise zone program. The exemption shall extend for a period not to exceed seven years; provided that for qualified businesses engaged in the manufacturing of tangible personal property or the producing or processing of agricultural products, the exemption shall extend for a period not to exceed ten years; provided further that if a force majeure event occurs, then the period of time shall be tolled until the force majeure event ceases."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

General Excise Tax; Exemption; Agricultural Businesses; Genetically Engineered Agricultural Products; Repeal

Description:

Repeals the exemption to the general excise tax for agricultural businesses engaged in the production of genetically engineered agricultural products.

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