Technology

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 5, 2026

GM 1188: Informing the Legislature that on June 5, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1511 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 088).

This bill prohibits companies from sending unsolicited mail or emails that use high-pressure tactics to trick consumers into believing the sender is affiliated with a government agency, vehicle manufacturer, or insurance company. The law specifically targets scams involving requests to pay for extended vehicle warranties, home warranties, or government license renewals. To comply, senders must include a clear, bold statement confirming they are not affiliated with the entity they claim to represent and that the payment is completely optional. If a sender fails to include this required disclosure, any contract resulting from the message is voidable, and the consumer is entitled to a full refund.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity by prohibiting deceptive emails and scams, protecting consumers from fraud and improving digital safety.85% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 5, 2026

GM 1199: Informing the Legislature that on June 5, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2275 HD1 SD2 CD2 (ACT 099).

This bill directs the Governor to inform the Hawaii Legislature that it signed a law allocating state funds for various programs and disaster recovery efforts. The legislation appropriates money to support the operations of the agribusiness development corporation, the Hawaii technology development corporation, and the Hawaii community development authority. Additionally, it establishes funding for mass transit projects and creates a major disaster fund to address emergency response and recovery costs. A key provision allows the Governor to transfer up to $100 million from the disaster fund to other agencies if an imminent threat to public safety arises, provided the Governor notifies the legislature with a detailed justification.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates state funds to the Hawaii technology development corporation, directly supporting technology initiatives and development.70% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly establishes funding for mass transit projects and disaster recovery, directly advancing transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1258: Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB472 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 157).

This document is a formal notification from the Governor of Hawaii to the Legislature stating that Act 157, which relates to digital identification, was signed into law on June 25, 2026. The underlying bill amends state statutes to allow drivers and vehicle owners to present a mobile driver's license or an electronic insurance card on a smartphone instead of a physical card when stopped by law enforcement. Under the new provisions, officers must have the technical ability to verify the digital credentials before accepting them, and they are restricted from viewing other content on the device during the inspection. The act also clarifies that individuals presenting these digital documents assume full liability for any damage to their mobile electronic devices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill modernizes legal processes by enabling digital identification, promoting digital equity and adoption of mobile technology.85% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 5, 2026

GM 1204: Informing the Legislature that on June 5, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2673 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 104).

This bill requires Hawaii counties to publish building and civil engineering permit data on their websites in a standardized, machine-readable format to improve transparency and help address the state's housing shortage. Counties must update this data at least once a month and include specific details such as permit numbers, application and completion dates, property addresses, and whether the project is residential or non-residential. The law also mandates the creation of a statewide data standard in collaboration with state agencies to ensure that information from different counties can be easily compared and analyzed. By making this data accessible and consistent, the bill aims to reduce administrative burdens and support better tracking of permitting performance across the state.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates transparency in building permits to address the state's housing shortage, facilitating better housing development tracking.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates publishing permit data in machine-readable formats, promoting digital transparency and data accessibility.85% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 27, 2026

GM 1147: Informing the Legislature that on May 27, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2093 SD1 (ACT 047).

This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on May 27, 2026, amends Hawaii's Uniform Probate Code to enhance privacy protections for individuals involved in guardianship and conservatorship cases. It establishes a new system where specific documents, such as birth certificates and tax returns, are automatically sealed upon filing, while highly sensitive materials like medical records and professional evaluations are temporarily sealed pending a court hearing. These provisions ensure that personal health information and evaluations regarding a person's capacity are not immediately accessible to the public unless a judge determines there is a compelling reason to allow access. The changes primarily affect courts, attorneys, and the individuals whose personal records are subject to these new confidentiality rules.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy by automatically sealing sensitive documents like birth certificates and medical records in guardianship cases.90% confidence

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1161: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2400 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 061).

This bill exempts operators of wing-in-ground craft, also known as seagliders, from Hawaii's Water Carrier Act regulations. These vessels use a unique technology that allows them to fly just above the water surface, offering a zero-emission option for interisland travel. By removing them from the Public Utilities Commission's oversight, the legislation aims to lower costs and encourage the adoption of this efficient transportation method to support the state's decarbonization goals and improve connectivity between islands.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes zero-emission seaglider technology to support decarbonization goals and encourages adoption by reducing regulatory barriers.85% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 6, 2026

HR 212: COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING WAIALUA ROBOTICS TEAM 359 – HAWAIIAN KIDS FOR ITS OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

This bill is a commendation resolution that recognizes Waialua Robotics Team 359 - Hawaiian Kids for their achievements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It highlights the team's success in competitive robotics events, including winning the 2026 FIRST Robotics Competition Hawaii Regional and receiving multiple awards. The resolution formally congratulates the students and their supporters for their dedication to STEM education and community outreach efforts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly commends a robotics team for STEM achievements, highlighting dedication to STEM education and community outreach.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly commends a robotics team for STEM achievements, promoting technology education and digital skills.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 42: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONVENE A YOUTH DIGITAL SAFETY AND PLATFORM ACCOUNTABILITY WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE TECHNOLOGY-FACILITATED ABUSE IN THE STATE AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REGULATORY SAFEGUARDS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General to form a working group focused on technology-facilitated abuse affecting youth and vulnerable populations in the state. The group will include representatives from state agencies, domestic violence organizations, and youth commissions to examine issues like digital stalking, spyware use, and nonconsensual image distribution. The working group will assess current laws, evaluate platform safety practices, and develop recommendations for regulatory safeguards and policy changes to protect residents from online abuse. The group is required to submit a report with findings and proposed legislative actions to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates working group to examine technology-facilitated abuse and develop regulatory safeguards, indicating support for protecting youth digital safety and platform accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 81: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU AND DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP AND PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON WAYS TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women and the Department of the Attorney General to form a working group focused on image-based sexual abuse. The group will review laws and policies from other states to identify ways to better protect survivors of nonconsensual sharing of explicit images and videos, including those involving artificial intelligence. The working group must include input from gender-based violence service providers and survivors, and it will submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not change any laws directly but instead asks state agencies to study the issue and propose future legislation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse, including AI-generated content, enhancing cybersecurity and digital privacy safeguards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 71: REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SPACE ECONOMY WORKING GROUP TO STUDY AND DEVELOP A STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR ADVANCING HAWAII'S SPACE ECONOMY.

This bill requests the creation of a Space Economy Working Group to study how Hawaii can develop and participate in the growing space industry. The group would include representatives from state agencies, universities, private companies, and community organizations to examine Hawaii's current capabilities and identify opportunities for economic growth and job creation. Members would analyze areas such as workforce training, infrastructure needs, regulatory policies, and environmental considerations to develop a strategic framework for responsible space sector development. The working group must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, potentially including proposed legislation to advance Hawaii's space economy.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes space economy development through workforce training, infrastructure investment, and regulatory frameworks to advance technology sector growth in Hawaii.75% confidence

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