A five-day back-to-school tax holiday is being considered by Hawaii lawmakers.

The legislation passed the Economic Revitalization and Business Committee last week.

The measure, House Bill 364, aims to create an exemption from the state’s general excise tax for the purchase of school supplies, computers, clothing and books.

The tax holiday would start on the Wednesday in the last full week of July.

The bill’s text said the tax cuts would stimulate the economy and offset tax revenues losses. But that argument may be a tough sell in a state that’s facing a $844 million projected two-year budget shortfall.

The measure advanced to the House Finance Committee.