THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	740
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN BENEFICIARIES.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that while basic waiting lists of department of Hawaiian home lands applicants are available for download on the department's website, the exact details of each applicant, including information regarding whether the person has applied for multiple leases, been denied a prior lease, or been skipped over, are not readily accessible, even for department staff. Beneficiary records of the department of Hawaiian home lands are spread across multiple locations. If a beneficiary seeks to determine the beneficiary's status, finding and gathering that information can require weeks of work. This lack of organization has led to some lessees' abuse of the program through the sale or transfer of their leases and new applications for subsequent leases.

The legislature further finds that the compilation of applicant information into a single interactive database would increase efficiency within the department of Hawaiian home lands and reduce lease award abuse by lessees.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of Hawaiian home lands to create an interactive digital database software program that compiles information from its beneficiary waiting lists and other related data.

SECTION 2. The department of Hawaiian home lands, with the assistance of the office of enterprise technology services, shall create an interactive digital database software program of its applicant, beneficiary, and lessee records. The interactive digital database software program shall contain relevant information on each individual's homestead lease application status, number of applications, address, number of denied leases, designated successors, history of obtaining leases as an applicant or as a successor, and other relevant information as determined by the Hawaiian homes commission.

The interactive digital database software program required by this Act shall be completed and available for use by the department of Hawaiian home lands no later than July 1, 2024.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the creation of an interactive digital database software program to aggregate the department of Hawaiian home lands' applicant, beneficiary, and lessee records.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of Hawaiian home lands for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Native Hawaiian Caucus; Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Beneficiary List; Database; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the department of Hawaiian home lands to digitize its applicant, beneficiary, and lessee records by creating an interactive digital database software program to be completed and available for use no later than 7/1/2024. Appropriates moneys.

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