RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Budget Housing Labor Privacy Technology

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: NAKAMURA, AMATO, BELATTI, CHUN, EVSLIN, GEDEON, GRANDINETTI, ILAGAN, IWAMOTO, KAHALOA, KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY, KILA, KITAGAWA, KUSCH, LA CHICA, LOWEN, MARTEN, MATAYOSHI, MATSUMOTO, MIYAKE, MORIKAWA, OLDS, PERRUSO, POEPOE, REYES ODA, SAYAMA, SHIMIZU, SOUZA, TAKAYAMA, TAKENOUCHI, TAM, TARNAS, TODD, WOODSON
Last action: 2026-04-08
Official status: The committee on WAM has deleted the measure from decision making scheduled on 04-09-26 10:55AM; CR 211 & Videoconference.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill was deleted from decision-making by the committee on WAM, which affects its status.

Hawaii Benefits Hub Working Group

This bill establishes the Hawaii Benefits Hub within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to help residents apply for social assistance programs more easily.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the Hawaii Benefits Hub within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services (OETS).
Requires OETS to develop data management, governance, and integration platforms to support the hub's functions.
Appropriates $4.25 million in state funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 to set up and run the Hawaii Benefits Hub.

Who It Names or Affects

Residents applying for social assistance programs like food or housing aid.
Agencies managing social assistance programs, including employers, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and state agencies.

Terms To Know

Hawaii Benefits Hub: A central system that helps residents apply for multiple social assistance programs by providing real-time information on eligibility requirements and allowing them to submit applications through a single interface.
Data Governance Tool: Software used to ensure data quality, privacy protection, and secure sharing of applicant information across different agencies.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill was deleted from decision-making by the committee on WAM.
It is unclear how this system will be implemented if it does not proceed further in the legislative process.
The effective date for the bill is set as July 1, 3000, which seems to be a placeholder or error.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment requires the establishment of a Hawaii Benefits Hub within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to streamline and centralize the application process for state-managed social assistance programs.

Establishes a Hawaii Benefits Hub within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to act as a central repository for data related to residents applying for social assistance benefits.
Requires the Department of Human Services and its agencies to provide guidance on which benefit programs will be included in the hub, along with necessary data system links.
Provides applicants with real-time information about eligibility requirements and a user-friendly interface to apply for benefits.

The exact technical specifications and implementation details of the Hawaii Benefits Hub are not fully described in this amendment text.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: This amendment establishes a working group to develop a plan for the Hawaii Benefits Hub, which will be a centralized digital platform for applying for public assistance programs.

Establishes a Hawaii benefits hub working group to create a governance and implementation plan for a unified application system for state-managed public assistance programs.
Specifies that the working group must include representatives from various government agencies and may invite additional members as needed.
Requires the working group to submit interim and final reports to the legislature with recommendations and proposed legislation.

The amendment does not specify how much funding will be allocated for the Hawaii benefits hub, only that funds are appropriated from general revenues.

Bill History

2026-04-08 S
The committee on WAM has deleted the measure from decision making scheduled on 04-09-26 10:55AM; CR 211 & Videoconference.
2026-04-08 S
The committee on WAM has added the measure to decision making scheduled on 04-09-26 10:55AM; CR 211 & Videoconference.
2026-03-30 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2026-03-30 S
Reported from GVO/HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3343) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
2026-03-24 S
The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Hashimoto, Moriwaki; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.
2026-03-24 S
The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fevella.
2026-03-17 S
The committee(s) on GVO/HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-24-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
2026-03-10 S
Referred to GVO/HHS, WAM.
2026-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 80).
2026-03-05 H
Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Alcos voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-03-05 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 823-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-02-26 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-02-24 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Thursday, 02-26-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-18 H
Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
2026-02-18 H
Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 415-26), recommending referral to FIN.
2026-02-13 H
The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-02-10 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Friday, 02-13-26 8:30AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-10 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on ECD with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
2026-02-09 H
Reported from HSH (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 66-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to ECD.
2026-02-03 H
The committee on HSH recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Marten, Olds, Amato, Hartsfield, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Takayama, Takenouchi; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-01-29 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HSH on Tuesday, 02-03-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-28 H
Referred to HSH, ECD, FIN, referral sheet 4
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.
OETS Hawaii Benefits Hub Working Group; Social Assistance Programs; Position; Reports; Appropriation ($)
Establishes the Hawaii Benefits Hub Working Group to develop a plan for the governance and implementation of the Hawaii Benefits Hub and related referral, tracking, compliance, and coordination systems. Requires reports to the Legislature. Establishes a position within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2114

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2114

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to human services
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that Hawaii's residents
often face significant challenges meeting the requirements to apply for and
verify eligibility for state managed social assistance programs, such as food
or housing assistance or assistance for elderly or disabled persons.
�
These individuals often must provide the same
information multiple times for different programs and must repeat this process
at regular intervals.
�
Some programs have
different benefit eligibility requirements, which can cause confusion for persons
applying for multiple programs at the same time.

����
Recent changes to federal
requirements for some federal social assistance programs, such increases in the
frequency of eligibility verification and the introduction of new eligibility
requirements, are expected to increase the challenges Hawaii's residents face
in accessing benefits and the administrative burden on the agencies providing
these services to Hawaii's residents.
�
One
particular challenge is the new medicaid eligibility requirement to document
"community engagement" in the form of proof of work, training, or
volunteer activities of up to eighty hours a month.

����
The legislature further finds that
the office of enterprise technology services has the ability to procure master
data management, data governance, and data lakehouse tools.
�
With these tools, the office of enterprise
technology services can create a Hawaii benefits hub, which can act as a
central portal to assist residents applying for state managed benefits.
�
The Hawaii benefits hub can be established
through a combination of:

����
(1)
�
Master data
management to understand applicants holistically across social assistance
programs;

����
(2)
�
Data governance to
protect applicant privacy and ensure compliance with all applicable federal and
state laws and regulations;

����
(3)
�
A data lakehouse that
will allow applicants to share data between different social assistance
programs and provide proactive reminders and alerts for residents about their
benefit eligibility; and

����
(4)
�
A central data
integration platform that can collect working and volunteering hours from
applicants, employers, and nonprofit organizations.

����
The legislature additionally finds
that establishing a Hawaii benefits hub will greatly improve the ability of
Hawaii's residents to access state managed social assistance benefit programs
and ensure they are aware of, and can meet, all eligibility requirements for
the benefits they are applying for.
�
The
Hawaii benefits hub can act as a single point of entry for residents to
identify which services they are eligible for, provide the information needed
for all participating benefit programs, and receive alerts and recommended
actions to remain eligible for their benefits.
�

The Hawaii benefits hub will also reduce administrative burdens for
agencies managing social assistance programs by being a central repository for
eligibility data, which will reduce redundant costs and ensure the consistency
of data provided to all participating agencies.

����
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act
is to require and appropriate funds for the office of enterprise technology
services to establish a Hawaii benefits hub.

����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 27, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part VII to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

����
"
�27-
�
Hawaii
benefits hub; established; requirements.
�

(a)
�
There is establish
with the office of enterprise technology services a Hawaii benefits hub to act
as a central repository for the needs and credentials of Hawaii's residents
applying to state managed social assistance benefit programs and as a central
registry for qualified volunteer and educational programs that meet social
assistance benefit program community engagement requirements.
�
The Hawaii benefits hub shall provide
applicants with:

����
(1)
�
Real-time
information on current eligibility and verification requirements for state
managed social assistance programs; and

����
(2)
�
A user
interface, such as an application or webpage, that will allow applicants to
enter information to apply for state managed social assistance programs.

����
(b)
�
In establishing the Hawaii benefits hub, the
office of enterprise technology services shall purchase or develop the
following:

����
(1)
�
A data
governance tool to ensure data quality and privacy protection with secured,
controlled data sharing;

����
(2)
�
A data
management platform to request and manage data from employers, educational
institutions, non-profit organizations, and federal and state agencies and
provide adjustments to any eligibility or verification requirements for state
managed social assistance programs;

����
(3)
�
A data
interface tool to link all systems and applications for the purpose of data
transfer; and

����
(4)
�
A data science
tool with machine learning or artificial intelligence capabilities to predict
applicant needs, alert applicants to potential loss of benefits, and provide
applicants with information on the nearest available opportunity to satisfy any
community engagement or other benefit eligibility requirements.

����
(c)
�
Every employer, educational institution,
nonprofit organization, and state agency shall, upon request from the Hawaii
benefits hub, provide the Hawaii benefits hub with information on an
applicant's wages and hours worked.
�
Data
provided by an employer, educational institution, nonprofit organization, and
state agency shall be provided in real time, if practicable, or within one
business day of the request if the provision of data in real time is impracticable.
�
Every employer, educational institution,
nonprofit organization, and state agency shall comply with all applicable
federal and state laws and regulations when sharing data with the Hawaii
benefits hub.
"

����
SECTION
3.
�
There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $4,250,000 or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of
the Hawaii benefits hub, to be allocated as follows:

����
(1)
�
$2,000,000 for a consultant to implement the
Hawaii benefits hub system;

����
(2)
�
$500,000 to establish:

���������
(A)
�
One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent project
manager;

���������
(B)
�
One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent data
architect;

���������
(C)
�
One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent data
engineer; and

���������
(D)
�
One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent data
frontend developer;

����
(3)
�
$250,000 for data and artificial intelligence
governing tools;

����
(4)
�
$500,000 for computing and storage capacity;

����
(5)
�
$500,000 for an integration platform; and

����
(6)
�
$500,000 for a user interface.

����
The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the office of enterprise technology services
for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION
4.
�
New statutory material is
underscored.

����
SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Office of
Enterprise Technology Services; Hawaii Benefits Hub; Social Assistance
Programs; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
the Hawaii Benefits Hub within the Office of Enterprise Technology
Services.
�
Appropriates funds.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.