HB 131 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO RESEARCH.

HB 131 allows state agencies to share specific government records with researchers for approved research projects. This directly affects researchers seeking public data and the agencies managing those records. The bill creates a clear process for disclosures, requiring that research purposes be legitimate and defined in advance. It does not alter existing privacy laws but provides a standardized pathway for accessing government data to support research.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-25 3:05PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to GVO, JDC.

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 84).

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Pierick, Templo, Ward excused (4). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran, Hashem, Todd.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 1

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Prefiled.

lower

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors