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HB 1458 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO TAXATION OF ADVERTISING REVENUE BY MAJOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

Summary
Establishes the Broadband and Digital Equity Special Fund to receive revenues earned by major social media platforms to fund initiatives expanding broadband access and local journalism initiatives. Directs the Department of Taxation to apply the state corporate income tax to advertising revenue earned by major social media platforms if the revenue is derived from content created within the State or from audiences located in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesApplies corporate tax on social media ad revenue, funds broadband/journalism via new appropriation, strengthening tax base and funding public services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDirectly funds broadband expansion and digital equity initiatives via tax on social media ad revenue, aligning with 'expands internet access' and 'promotes digital equity' indicators.95% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Feb 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB1458 → HB1458_HD1 · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was reversed to prioritize tax collection over fund allocation. Originally, the bill directed tax revenue to a special fund for broadband and journalism; the amendment now requires the Department of Taxation to collect the tax on social media advertising revenue, while the specific spending instructions for the fund were removed. The effective date was changed from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 3000, indicating the bill is currently inactive or intended for future consideration.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from an immediate funding mechanism to a future tax collection mandate, removing the immediate allocation of funds to specific programs.
TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 3000, effectively delaying the law's implementation indefinitely.

FISCAL

The primary purpose was reversed: the original text allocated tax revenue to a special fund for broadband and journalism, while the new text directs the Department of Taxation to collect the tax on social media advertising revenue.

REQUIREMENT

Specific instructions on how the collected revenue must be spent to expand broadband access and support local journalism were removed from the bill.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Feb 12, 2026
Committee
Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 253-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
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, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
lower
Jan 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to ECD, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 4
lower
Jan 23, 2025
Introduced
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ikaika Hussey
Ikaika Hussey
DDemocratic
HI
29