STAND. COM. REP. NO. 415-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2114

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2114, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Hawaii Benefits Hub within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services; and

(2) Expand the responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer to include collaboration on the development and implementation of a statewide portal to government services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; and Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Office of Enterprise Technology Services.

Your Committee finds that residents face significant barriers when applying for and maintaining eligibility for state-managed social assistance programs, due to duplicative requirements and complex verification processes. This measure addresses these concerns by establishing a centralized Hawaii Benefits Hub to streamline applications, improve data sharing, and help residents meet eligibility requirements.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2114, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,

____________________________

GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair