HB935 • 2026

RELATING TO DIGITAL EQUITY.

Budget Technology

Active

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

Sponsor: ILAGAN, AMATO, BELATTI, HOLT, HUSSEY, IWAMOTO, KAHALOA, KAPELA, KILA, KUSCH, LOWEN, MARTEN, MIYAKE, PERRUSO, POEPOE, SOUZA, TAKAYAMA, TAKENOUCHI, TAM, TARNAS, TODD
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify that a report is required to be submitted by the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office, although it mentions in SECTION 2(d) that such a report will be submitted. The candidate explanation incorrectly states this as an established requirement.

Digital Equity Act

This bill establishes a two-year digital navigator pilot program that provides technical assistance with computers and electronic devices to residents in Hawaii, funded by the broadband and digital equity special fund.

What This Bill Does

Establishes a two-year digital navigator pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices for members of the public.
Funds the program from the broadband and digital equity special fund for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
Requires the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office to set up at least five locations across different islands of Hawaii.
Allows partnerships with other state agencies, like public libraries, to support the program.

Who It Names or Affects

Residents who need help with computers and electronic devices in Hawaii.
The Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office which will run the program.
Other state agencies that may partner to support the digital navigator program.

Terms To Know

Digital equity: Equal access to technology, internet, and related services for everyone in a community.
Broadband: High-speed internet service that allows fast data transfer.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how many people will be helped by the program.
It is unclear if and when the pilot program will become permanent after its two-year trial period.
The exact amount of funding for the program has not been determined.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-02-05 H
The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2025-01-29 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Wednesday, 02-05-25 10:00AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-23 H
Referred to ECD, FIN, referral sheet 3
2025-01-23 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-21 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO DIGITAL EQUITY.
Digital Equity; Digital Navigator Pilot Program; Appropriation ($)
Establishes and appropriates funds for a digital navigator pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic devices to residents.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB935

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

935

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to digital equity
.

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

����
SECTION
1.
�
The
legislature finds that digital equity in every community across the State is essential
to the well-being and economic reality of the State's residents.
�
The lack of digital equity is a pressing
community issue in Hawaii, and isolates those in rural and socio-economically
disadvantaged communities.
�
This
inequality creates a digital divide, which is especially exacerbated amongst
the State's
most vulnerable and underserved populations.

����
The
legislature also finds that digital equity has meant the difference between an
employee being able to work remotely and an employee possibly facing
unemployment.
�
Additionally, digital
literacy and broadband access are critical tools for persons seeking to access
social services, such as unemployment claims; supplemental nutrition assistance
program benefits; vital records; and other essential government, educational,
and medical services.

����
The
legislature further finds that digital equity in the State will enhance
Hawaii's overall economic development and education, health care, and emergency
services.

����
The
purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a digital
navigator pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and
electronic devices to residents.

����
SECTION
2.
�
(a)
�

The Hawaii broadband and digital equity office shall establish a two-year
navigator pilot program that offers technical assistance with computers and
electronic devices for members of the public.

����
(b)
�
The Hawaii broadband and digital equity
office may partner with the Hawaii state public library system and other state
agencies for the purposes of the pilot program.

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(c)
�
The digital navigator pilot program shall
have two locations on the island of Oahu, two locations on the island of Hawaii,
one location on the island of Kauai, and one location on the island of Maui.

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(d)
�
The Hawaii broadband and digital equity
office shall submit a shall submit a report of the pilot program's feasibility
and impact, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later
than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of
2027.

����
SECTION 3.
�
There is appropriated out of the broadband
and digital equity special fund established pursuant to Act ,
Session Laws of Hawaii 2025, the sum of $
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 to
establish a digital navigator pilot program pursuant to this Act.

����
The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii
broadband and digital equity office for the purposes of this Act.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Digital
Equity; Digital Navigator Pilot Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for a digital navigator
pilot program to offer technical assistance with computers and electronic
devices to residents.

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