RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY ENABLEMENT.

Budget Technology

Active

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

Sponsor: TAM, KITAGAWA, LA CHICA, LAMOSAO, LOWEN, MARTEN, QUINLAN, TAKAYAMA, TARNAS
Last action: 2026-04-02
Official status: Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's effective date is specified as July 1, 2025, not 2050.

Helping Small Businesses Use Technology

This bill gives money to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to help small businesses, especially those in tourism, use technology better.

What This Bill Does

Appropriates $250,000 each year for two years to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) to assist small businesses with technology enablement.
Allows HTDC to collaborate with other state or county agencies as necessary to implement projects under this Act.
Requires HTDC to report back to the legislature on how they used the funds and helped businesses.

Who It Names or Affects

Small businesses in Hawaii, especially those related to tourism.
The Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC).

Terms To Know

Hawaii Technology Development Corporation: A state agency that helps support technology growth and economic development.
Technology Enablement: Using technology to help businesses run better, like using online booking systems or data analytics.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill only gives money for two years starting in fiscal year 2025-2026.
It is not clear how many small businesses will benefit from this funding.

Amendments

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

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to help small businesses, especially those in tourism, adopt technology.

Appropriates money from state revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to assist small businesses with technology adoption.

The exact amount of funds appropriated is not specified.
The amendment takes effect on July 1, 3000, which seems incorrect as it's far in the future and likely a placeholder or error.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: This amendment appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to help small businesses, especially those in tourism, adopt technology.

Appropriates money from state revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support small businesses with technology adoption.

The exact amount of funds appropriated is not specified.
The amendment does not provide details on how the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation will use the funds or what specific technologies will be supported.

Bill History

2026-04-02 S
Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
2026-04-01 H
House Conferee(s) discharged.
2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-04-15 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 732).
2025-04-14 H
House Conferees Appointed: Tam, Ilagan, Templo Co-Chairs; Hussey, Matsumoto.
2025-04-11 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 704).
2025-04-10 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2025-04-08 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 640) in amended form (SD 1).
2025-04-08 S
Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2025-04-03 S
48 Hrs. Notice 04-08-25.
2025-04-03 S
Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1657) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 1).
2025-03-31 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-03-28 S
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-31-25 10:02AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2025-03-14 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM.
2025-03-14 S
Reported from EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1087) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to WAM.
2025-03-11 S
The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in EDT were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fukunaga, Kim, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-03-06 S
The committee(s) on EDT has scheduled a public hearing on 03-11-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2025-03-06 S
Referred to EDT, WAM.
2025-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2025-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 238).
2025-03-04 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
2025-02-28 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1115), recommending passage on Third Reading.
2025-02-26 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Alcos, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.
2025-02-26 H
Bill scheduled for decision making on Wednesday, 02-26-25 11:00AM in conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-25 H
The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred until 02-26-25.
2025-02-21 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 02-25-25 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-05 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2).
2025-02-05 H
Reported from TOU/ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 161) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2025-01-30 H
The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Todd, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-01-30 H
The committee on TOU recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tam, Templo, Holt, Hussey, Ilagan, Todd, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-01-27 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by TOU/ECD on Thursday, 01-30-25 9:00AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-27 H
Re-referred to TOU/ECD, FIN, referral sheet 4
2025-01-21 H
Referred to TOU, ECD, FIN, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY ENABLEMENT.
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Small Businesses; Technology Enablement; Appropriation ($)
Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist small businesses, including those related to the tourism sector, with technology enablement. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB448

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

448

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to TECHNOLOGY ENABLEMENT
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
The legislature finds the tourism sector, a pillar of the State's economy, to
be highly seasonal and vulnerable to global economic shifts, natural disasters,
and pandemics, leaving small businesses with inconsistent revenue streams and
heightened risks.
�
These compounded
pressures have forced many small enterprises to operate with razor‑thin
margins, making resilience and adaptability critical for survival.

����
The
legislature further finds that technology adoption for small businesses in
Hawaii, particularly the tourism sector, is vital for those businesses to
overcome these critical challenges and remain competitive in an increasingly
digital marketplace.
�
Leveraging digital
tools such as booking systems, online marketing platforms, and data analytics
can help reduce costs, expand market reach, and help tourism-based businesses
attract and retain customers while enhancing the overall visitor
experience.
�
Furthermore, technology
mitigates the risks of geographic isolation by enabling remote work, virtual
services, and e-commerce opportunities.
�

Supporting small businesses with technology adoption ensures their
ability to innovate and adapt, bolstering their resilience and contributing to
the long-term economic sustainability of Hawaii's communities.
�
However, non‑action would exacerbate
Hawaii's economic vulnerabilities.

����
The
legislature additionally finds that the Hawaii technology development
corporation (HTDC) was established to foster innovation and economic
diversification by supporting the growth and development of Hawaii's technology
sector.
�
With decades of experience
implementing technology-driven initiatives, HTDC has successfully facilitated
numerous projects funded by the State and ensured effective use of state
resources, with a proven track record in fostering innovation and economic
diversification through state-funded initiatives, demonstrating expertise in
administering grants, supporting startups, promoting public-private
partnerships, empowering local businesses, and driving economic progress.
�
HTDC's expertise spans a wide range of
industries, enabling the effective implementation of cutting-edge technologies
tailored to Hawaii's unique challenges and opportunities.
�
HTDC's commitment to leveraging state funding
for impactful technology projects underscores the agency's role as a critical
catalyst for innovation and competitiveness in Hawaii's economy.

����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to promote economic development and tourism by
appropriating funds to the Hawaii technology development corporation to assist
small businesses with technology enablement.

����
SECTION
2.
�
There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000 or so much thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the Hawaii technology
development corporation to assist small businesses, including those related to
the tourism sector, with technology enablement; provided that the Hawaii
technology development corporation may collaborate with other state or county
agencies as necessary for the implementation of any projects for the purposes
of this section.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the
Hawaii technology development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION
3.
�
The Hawaii technology development
corporation shall submit a report to the legislature on the status of assisting
small businesses with technology enablement using the funds appropriated
pursuant to section 2 of this Act no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular sessions of 2026 and 2027.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaii
Technology Development Corporation; Small Businesses; Technology Enablement;
Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates
funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist small businesses,
including those related to the tourism sector, with technology enablement.

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