[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6360354,"mediaKeyId","2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06","parentId",2174928,"title","Committees advance bill to support Hawaii-manufactured products; $500,000 appropriation moved to committee report","audioSeconds",567,"startMs",2102000,"endMs",2669000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06&start=2102&end=2669","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06/thumbnail_2102000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360354/Hawaii/Committees-advance-bill-to-support-Hawaii-manufactured-products-500000-appropriation-moved-to-committee-report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360354-18a73fd246e3cefd24c59c26a35750df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155980&Signature=EdMQ7PPxD3bA4LS-hNf5fpCQftw6ppjkcKV3lsS~Nb~KifgTqPEDtnNT0we3-mG8bmrcFo4HKOL~ZKO-FaueaJ2sH9GnaENLWOBiCJmwps5L2wX8P4a9RHfzYthFm0nNA3Gm6jy9~61oxWrn0wGbtwmcqJgU0rFvE6HI~45psjn1fF8cHWzbv0FeP-vaIM-kkJn2t7zJ5spXbJecizyuJoG3sdr~N93V6MhFbdzCGSHiF7V9GR4iYbaZ98SkzEsjHb0KBW5-ZBbg6KzbMHH8v3nGMKMBg68MNLuPyE3rxUbonNst0sM5mRwUK2uircvrtOrIVS0RlwNMFRm06WxEIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Committee on Economic Development","date","2025-01-31T07:54:18Z","article","House Bill 449, which would create a program to provide technology enablement for small businesses in the tourism sector and appropriate funds to promote Hawaii-manufactured products through the Innovate Hawaii program, was advanced by joint House committees on Jan. 30, 2025.

Wayne Inouye of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation described the Innovate Hawaii program and the difficulties of manufacturing in Hawaii, including higher transportation and energy costs. “We use a system called voice of the customer, which really gets the feedback of our constituents,” Inouye said, describing the program’s approach to working with local manufacturers.

The Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Chamber of Commerce submitted written support, and the committees recorded six written statements in support and none in opposition; the Hawaii Tourism Authority submitted comments. The committees deleted duplicative language that mirrored HB 448, blanked the appropriation in the bill text and moved the $500,000 appropriation to the committee report for later inclusion.

Members adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 449 as HD1 with the specified amendments. The bill will proceed as amended with the appropriation tracked in the committee report.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TOU/HSG/ECD Joint Public Hearing - Thu Jan 30, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 449, which establishes technology-enablement and promotes locally manufactured products through the Innovate Hawaii program, was advanced as HD1; committees deleted duplicative text, blanked the appropriation in the bill and placed $500,000 in the committee report.","taxTitle","House Committee on Economic Development, House of Representatives, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25711,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360359,"Committees advance HTDC bill to help small businesses adopt technology; appropriation moved to committee report",659,1917000,2576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06&start=1917&end=2576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06/thumbnail_1917000.jpg","/articles/6360359/Hawaii/Committees-advance-HTDC-bill-to-help-small-businesses-adopt-technology-appropriation-moved-to-committee-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360359-4beeeb5aeaa9341f78971ac105158229/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155980&Signature=MvcoddHP7coOXkCud4jD1~neTzl6VAdl1bWyYPIjZ49u~kV16WccvSLLicNQll4xxNEamSi4dhMmtF-vfkB2NvHv4vmQV2cei9ipzs-JfadfMM2TOrtj7AzJM3hIFRtwP9-QqVUzxzLZOpVHKlTD4EpznJSSH-quyazgi5LK--t4rOjRy5JL-y~Q0tKXetkmWdCLCXilkukzuQDwOPyIAck4q3W4Nw0M4BYBceC8JVWgLxiPViIkiEzxtmepraCyN4lAry1XIo6eKjNTRRuzvU7VJBE4voAwG9G80h9Y37YrNEYBwL9RJUMWkVJcAnbYb1fz3cCd6ztQgzJC9EfsOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 448, which would appropriate funds for the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to help small businesses — including tourism-related firms — adopt and implement technology, was advanced by the House committees on Jan. 30, 2025. Committee members adopted the chair’s recommendation that the bill pass as HD1 and moved the appropriation amount into the committee report.

Wayne Inouye, representing HTDC, said the agency supports the bill but urged careful problem definition before selecting technology solutions. “We really need to understand what problem we’re solving and select the appropriate technology,” Inouye said, emphasizing that HTDC’s role is to match technology to business needs rather than simply distributing tools.

The Hawaii Food Industry Association and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii submitted written support, saying HTDC is well positioned to provide e-commerce and back-office solutions to small businesses. The committee voted to blank the appropriation amount in the bill text and to place an initial $250,000 appropriation into the committee report; members adopted the chair’s recommendation without recorded opposition.

The committee will forward HB 448 as HD1 with the appropriation placed in the committee report for inclusion in further deliberations.","House Bill 448, to appropriate funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) to assist small businesses with technology enablement, passed joint committees with the appropriation blanked out and $250,000 moved to the committee report for later insertion.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360364,"Committees approve bill requiring hotels to notify guests and vendors of service disruptions",876,1648000,2524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06&start=1648&end=2524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06/thumbnail_1648000.jpg","/articles/6360364/Hawaii/Committees-approve-bill-requiring-hotels-to-notify-guests-and-vendors-of-service-disruptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360364-ef884c47873786680112c9ee79788f5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155980&Signature=SPgzquvedREb-GKrZ-JOoJJD~gq07TtVwFgSmwBnHpKfJPqbw8DfB2zTKPEACVuymwSEUYVvn~UTLzGdbaptmaEC8wSCtGsQrsg1R9HQID4nAbJ2LU60BkrBkt4bG8Sm5csfBRx~SjJRpRmuNnr5~Uh0t8MstgMo~N1zPYdChhmSSdXjP1V1aqc0hLD6dPkQLCFjFHzn0xJkpdL7T6a9Ds2cHZQDIGjDlT8pX3m5-XBueMNYpv4XLhAjQhr106IbeXT-Ax4XDmtpt3KqXc4K1ftvQoO2MivV5B98TVawJeIByjyYQKCamksXCyPNqdJ0pIEcUOMVFuK-rOmQQtTFdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 594, a bill that would require hotelkeepers to provide adequate notice to guests and third-party vendors of service disruptions and allow recovery of damages under certain conditions, was advanced by joint House committees on Jan. 30, 2025, with amendments recommended by the Attorney General’s office.

Deputy Attorney General Christopher Hahn recommended adding a purpose section to identify the government interest and a savings clause to reduce exposure to contracts-clause challenges. “We’re recommending a couple of housekeeping amendments to bolster the bill against potential legal challenges,” Hahn said.

Unite Here Local 5, representing hospitality workers in Hawaii, testified in strong support. The union said guests have expectations based on advertising and vendors’ representations, and that better notice would reduce consumer harm and preserve Hawaii’s reputation as a destination. “When their expectations are not met, it’s incumbent on us to mitigate this as much as possible,” a union representative told the committees.

The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 594 with amendments, incorporating the attorney general’s suggested preamble and other technical fixes; the chair directed insertion of proposed AG language and set local drafting amendments. The recommendation was adopted by voice vote without recorded opposition.

The committee also noted written testimony and stakeholder input in favor and will move the bill forward as HD1 with the specified amendments.","House Bill 594, which would require hotelkeepers to provide notice to guests and third-party vendors about service disruptions and allow recovery of damages under certain conditions, was advanced with amendments including a preamble and attorney general’s suggested language.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360369,"House committee advances bill requiring hotels and brokers to show full price, removes intent requirement",1320,1144000,2464000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06&start=1144&end=2464","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06/thumbnail_1144000.jpg","/articles/6360369/Hawaii/House-committee-advances-bill-requiring-hotels-and-brokers-to-show-full-price-removes-intent-requirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360369-55f549cdf60b7938ccae1e46a6a7315d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155980&Signature=P~uSC9h99DhRT2O-BXo5wDYe-7PjfgCJR09~PNZp-DZBIYC-Ti6XP7bOMyRIbvQLgTAiSEtXPlG~Y8HU0oYVSHkulQIXypZnW9~x-HEzuw6b6sLDg9aZ8-8fscKenBzYpXpai74hIThn4Wjyr-z6l91U2ssJi9HjL9uh4gSCiKDTsKWVs7YSA7jKIwPC9CQ9a9Be7yTU8jearSJxYc8Is-I8ts3B73rcp4vwytBjKwogXdrT98U1ibwuhh07HraJeHLHQFF4KecMg3f5n3n6tjOdEJgjltM0WzZUlsYwlU7bUGXCJVTONL9w-eDhsXUGUXvzVQHntTVgvJF7WzCBhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 973, which would require transient-accommodation brokers and other sellers to display the total price for lodging including resort fees and all applicable taxes, was advanced by joint House committees on Jan. 30, 2025, with amendments that remove a proposed intent requirement and leave technical matters to stakeholder negotiation.

Madam Moriarty for the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) told committees that the bill aligns with the goal of eliminating “junk fees” but expressed institutional concerns. OCP said a federal uniform standard adopted by the Federal Trade Commission that will affect short-term lodging nationwide is set to take effect May 10, and urged caution. OCP also urged deletion of a defendant-intent proof requirement from the bill, saying that most state consumer-protection statutes do not require proof of intent.

Ivan Louie Quan (testifying on behalf of the Hawaii Hotel Alliance and EHLA) told committees the measure would bring transparency and uniformity across lodging providers and said the hotel industry can work with the division on enforcement. “What it does is it really provides transparency for consumers and, we think it also provides some uniformity among all of the lodging units,” he said. Counsel for the hotel industry noted the bill is consistent with similar regulations and rules elsewhere.

Other commenters, including Angela Mela Young and the Tax Foundation’s written comments, supported the transparency goal but raised enforcement and fine-size concerns. The committees adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 973 as HD1, strip the intent requirement, and make technical amendments; members noted stakeholders would continue to work with staff on drafting for clarity and enforcement mechanisms.

The committee recorded a unanimous voice vote in favor of the recommendation after the amendment to remove the intent requirement was set. The bill will proceed as HD1 for further consideration.","House Bill 973, aimed at requiring transient accommodations brokers and others to display total prices including resort fees and taxes, was advanced as an HD1 with an amendment eliminating an intent standard and with technical fixes; stakeholders and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs discussed overlap with an FTC rule.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360374,"Joint House committees pass 1-point hotel tax increase to fund Hawaiian Homes loan program",445,633000,1078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06&start=633&end=1078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174928-719a8c9619baaf97043cebccc8a17c06/thumbnail_633000.jpg","/articles/6360374/Hawaii/Joint-House-committees-pass-1-point-hotel-tax-increase-to-fund-Hawaiian-Homes-loan-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360374-cb99de12bd48f8e556e0e03b51796a47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155980&Signature=CzY5PEE6~71TPpdDGmlhSFP7KYSXpBsfk2upy0deSL2gqkvk4tKDwjG7M8gh5crVoLWsl5U8cqshoFhFkiLvmiJ2GJYmaE1pOQSk0zDFTQme0nAgrp~30JulAAXWd32QqmG0aySq5dm4~3--5K4aZs31-0dU0xanY7B2MJMNPaXXdqD5XpZ4SYDI15qhZOgnRKHGZcJUI-ggSiZgOHk2qTSgT55ssc2UFBOwAArOK2mYYGZVdG615RI-XIwQ0ZCjbs6CbZcHu4HE9JQPfxUgyzuEO-fsPPqujQa3uUo4mlGtOfZ1DHBMMUYHzLLsyHoL76VYGxskKj-mlk1Fy1sT1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A joint meeting of the House Committee on Tourism, the House Committee on Housing and the House Committee on Economic Development and Technology on Jan. 30, 2025, approved House Bill 604 (HD1), increasing the transient accommodations tax by one percentage point effective Jan. 1, 2026, and directing the additional revenue to the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund established under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended.

The measure’s sponsor and committee chairs advanced the bill as amended to a committee report after a short public hearing and a brief recess for decision making. Tom Evslin, representing the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, expressed the department’s support. “We are strongly in support of this measure and we appreciate the introducers of this bill and what the intent is to try to find a source of consistent revenue that would help us fund the programs that we do,” Evslin said.

Opponents and commentators urged caution. Ted Kefalas of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii argued against raising visitor taxes, saying Honolulu is already among the highest-taxed tourist destinations and that higher taxes risk hurting local businesses. “We seriously risk pricing ourselves out of the market,” Kefalas said. The Department of Taxation said it stood on written comments. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii submitted written concerns noting possible effects on economic performance.

Committee members received one testimony in support, two in opposition and four with comments, according to the hearing record. During committee votes, tourism and housing committee members approved the measure with amendments; the housing committee recorded one no vote and several excused members. The committees’ actions advance HB 604 as an HD1 toward further floor or committee-level processing.

The bill directs the incremental revenue into the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund, the vehicle cited by supporters as providing a stable funding source for Hawaiian Home Lands housing programs. The bill text ties the funding destination to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended.

The committees adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 604 with amendments; the chair noted a reservation from one member in the tourism committee and a single no vote in the housing committee. The bill will proceed as amended per committee rules.","On Jan. 30, 2025, three House committees voted to pass House Bill 604 (HD1), raising the transient accommodations tax by one percentage point effective Jan. 1, 2026, with increased revenue directed to the Hawaiian Homes General Loan Fund under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 as amended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committees advance bill to support Hawaii-manufactured products; $500,000 appropriation moved to committee report

Committees advance HTDC bill to help small businesses adopt technology; appropriation moved to committee report

Committees approve bill requiring hotels to notify guests and vendors of service disruptions

House committee advances bill requiring hotels and brokers to show full price, removes intent requirement

Joint House committees pass 1-point hotel tax increase to fund Hawaiian Homes loan program