This bill establishes a new statewide program to certify and monitor active intelligent speed assistance systems installed in vehicles, with the goal of ensuring these safety technologies function reliably and securely. It requires the state to select a single vendor to handle the installation and maintenance of these systems while setting strict standards for their accuracy, tamper resistance, and insurance coverage. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that car manufacturers and retailers are generally not liable for accidents caused by these systems unless they intentionally or knowingly cause harm through repairs or updates. The law also allows vehicle lessors and lienholders to charge fees for removing the systems and mandates that vendors be audited annually by the Department of Transportation.
This bill modernizes Hawaii's enterprise zone program to better support local businesses by expanding the range of eligible activities and updating qualification rules. It allows local manufacturers that sell directly to retailers to qualify for benefits, adds new eligible sectors such as aerospace technology and specific medical services, and permits the state to designate up to two census tracts on state land as enterprise zones if they contain innovation enterprises. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a comprehensive review of the program in consultation with the Department of Taxation and report its findings to the legislature. These changes aim to revitalize neighborhoods and promote job creation and preservation for local companies in designated areas.
This bill requires political committees in Hawaii to submit campaign reports and related documents electronically to the Campaign Spending Commission instead of using mail or physical delivery. It mandates that committees file detailed information about contributions, expenditures, loans, and durable assets online, including specific data on contributors who give large amounts and the ultimate recipients of campaign spending. The law also updates the process for terminating a committee's registration by requiring electronic submission of final reports and bank statements. Additionally, organizers must electronically file a notice of intent before holding any political fundraiser, ensuring the commission has advance notice of the event details. These changes directly affect candidates, political action committees, and other groups involved in state elections by standardizing how they report financial activities.
This bill, signed into law as Act 248, establishes safety rules for artificial intelligence companies operating in Hawaii, specifically targeting chatbots and companion-style systems. It requires these platforms to clearly and visibly inform users that they are interacting with an AI rather than a human, with stricter disclosure rules for minors that include hourly reminders to take breaks. Additionally, the law mandates that AI operators create protocols to respond to users expressing suicidal thoughts or self-harm by directing them to professional crisis intervention services. By amending the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislation aims to protect consumers from deceptive design practices and potential harm without requiring technology companies to collect personal identity data for age verification.
This bill establishes the Hawaii Braille Literacy Education Act to improve educational access for students with low vision or blindness. It requires the Department of Education to provide braille instruction and materials, offer literacy support services, and collaborate with other agencies to maintain a state register of the blind. The law also mandates that the department share information about assistive technology and participate in creating individualized education plans for affected students.
This bill, known as the Hawaii Social Media Data Deletion Act, requires large social media platforms to give users clear and effective ways to permanently delete their accounts and all associated personal data. It applies to platforms with at least one million monthly active users nationwide or those generating $25 million or more in annual revenue. The law mandates that these companies remove all stored information, including sensitive details like browsing history and biometric data, when a user requests account termination. Additionally, the act prohibits deceptive practices that might prevent users from successfully deleting their accounts or their data.
This bill directs the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to create rules requiring websites and digital applications used by public accommodations to be accessible to people with disabilities. It explicitly defines denying access through inaccessible technology as an unlawful discriminatory practice under state civil rights laws. The legislation mandates that these new rules align with the federal web accessibility standards established by the U.S. Department of Justice. By clarifying these requirements, the bill ensures that businesses providing public services must make their digital offerings usable for all citizens.
The AI AGENT Act of 2026 establishes a legal framework allowing users to authorize third-party software agents, known as custodial user agents, to manage their online accounts and data on large platforms with over 50 million customers. To enable this, the bill requires these platforms to provide transparent, non-discriminatory access interfaces and mandates that the agents operate under strict duties to protect user privacy, prevent harm, and avoid using data for advertising or selling. The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with registering these agents, setting technical standards for secure data exchange, and enforcing compliance through a system that includes public reporting and penalties for unfair practices.
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Artificial Intelligence
The AI Transparency in Elections Act of 2026 requires political advertisements containing content substantially generated by artificial intelligence to include clear and conspicuous disclaimers. These labels must appear on images, audio, and video ads that advocate for or against candidates, solicit contributions, or refer to candidates within 120 days of an election. The bill mandates that visual disclaimers be as large as the main text, while audio disclaimers must be spoken for at least four seconds at the beginning or end of the recording. Violations of these disclosure rules could result in civil money penalties of up to $50,000 per ad, and the Federal Election Commission is tasked with creating specific regulations to enforce the law.
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Artificial Intelligence
The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a workforce development plan aimed at training cybersecurity professionals specifically for rural hospitals. This strategy requires the Secretary to consult with various federal agencies and healthcare representatives while focusing on partnerships, curriculum development, and identifying local security challenges. Additionally, the bill mandates the publication of free instructional materials and an awareness campaign to help rural hospital staff learn fundamental cybersecurity skills. The legislation does not authorize any new funding, relying instead on existing resources to implement these training and educational initiatives.
