HB 639 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Summary

Requires corporations, organizations, or individuals engaging to commercial transactions or trade practices to clearly and conspicuously notify consumers when the consumer is interacting with an artificial intelligence chatbot or other technology capable of mimicking human behaviors, with certain exemptions. Requires developers that sell, offer for sale, advertise, or make available artificial intelligence chatbots to disclose that their chatbots use artificial intelligence. Authorizes private rights of action. Establishes statutory penalties. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

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What changed between versions

HB639 → HB639_HD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a specific exemption for small businesses that unknowingly use AI chatbots, preventing penalties if they receive notice and have a chance to comply. It also expanded enforcement powers to include the Office of Consumer Protection and clarified that developers must explicitly disclose AI capabilities to avoid misleading consumers.

Scope change

The bill now includes a specific exemption for small businesses that unintentionally use AI chatbots, provided they are notified and given a reasonable opportunity to comply with the disclosure requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an exemption for small businesses that unknowingly utilize AI chatbots, shielding them from penalties if they are notified and given a chance to comply.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded the list of enforcement officials to include the Director of the Office of Consumer Protection alongside the Attorney General.

REQUIREMENT

Clarified that developers must disclose that their chatbots use AI and can mimic human behavior to prevent consumer deception.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act to July 1, 3000.

TECHNICAL

Updated document metadata, including file names, revision numbers, and timestamps.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 167) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to CPC.

lower

Jan 31, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Todd, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Templo.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to ECD, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 2

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

8 primary · 0 co-sponsors