HB 2114: OETS Hawaii Benefits Hub Working Group; Social Assistance Programs; Position; Reports; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's residents are currently required to submit multiple application processes to apply for and verify eligibility for state-managed, federally-funded public assistance programs, such as financial and food assistance, health care coverage, or housing assistance.  Residents must provide the same information multiple times for different applications and are required to repeat this process at regular intervals to maintain eligibility.  Programs have different benefit eligibility requirements, which can cause further confusion for persons attempting to apply for multiple programs at the same time. 

     The legislature further finds that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Public Law 119-21, and other recent federal policy changes require the State to modify its information systems to comply with federal program changes.  It is important that these program and system changes are made to ensure eligible residents can maintain access to public assistance and services and that the state complies with the new requirements to maximize access to federal funds.

     The legislature further finds that that a Hawaii benefits hub should be developed to serve as a centralized, digital application system that enables residents to apply for state-managed public assistance programs through a single, unified platform.  The single unified platform will benefit the public by giving residents one, simple, secure portal to apply for multiple services at once, making it easier and faster to access and maintain the services that they need.  The Hawaii benefits hub may also reduce administrative burdens for agencies managing public assistance programs by being a central repository for eligibility data, which may reduce costs and ensure the consistency of data provided to all participating agencies.

     The legislature further finds that the creation of a benefits hub is also an opportunity to shift away from a static government database to a dynamic referral network of community-based organizations, education opportunities, and employers.  Additionally, the benefits hub could eliminate manual reporting of work and volunteer hours from applicants, employers, and nonprofit organizations and, instead, automate compliance.  Beyond that, it could use technology to make referrals within the network, track outcomes and service gaps, and measure the actual return on investment of social services interventions.  

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a working group to discuss a centralized platform that meets the requirements and operations of public assistance programs and develop a plan for the governance and implementation of the Hawaii benefits hub and related referral, tracking, compliance, and coordination services.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established a Hawaii benefits hub working group to develop a plan for the governance and implementation of the Hawaii benefits hub and related referral, tracking, compliance, and coordination systems.  The plan shall include recommendations for:

     (1)  A governance structure for implementation and management of the Hawaii benefits hub;

     (2)  The necessary funding and timeline for integrating key social assistance online services; and

     (3)  The necessary funding and timeline for implementing the Hawaii benefits hub and related referral, tracking, compliance, and coordination services.

     (b)  The working group shall consist of the following members:

     (1)  One member of the house of representatives, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, who shall serve as co-chair of the working group;

     (2)  One member of the senate, to be appointed by the senate president, who shall serve as co-chair of the working group;

     (3)  The director of human services or the director's designee;

     (4)  The director of health or the director's designee;

     (5)  The director of labor and industrial relations or the director's designee;

     (6)  The chief information officer or the chief information officer's designee; and

     (7)  Any other person that the co-chairs wish to invite to serve on the working group.

     (c)  The working group shall submit an interim report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2027, and a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2028.

     (d)  The working group shall dissolve on June 30, 2028.

     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 2026-2027 for procuring a consultant to coordinate the Hawaii benefits hub working group, hiring       full-time equivalent (      FTE) permanent project manager, and any necessary administrative expenses.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of enterprise technology services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

OETS Hawaii Benefits Hub Working Group; Social Assistance Programs; Position; Reports; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii Benefits Hub Working Group to develop a plan for the governance and implementation of the Hawaii Benefits Hub and related referral, tracking, compliance, and coordination systems.  Requires reports to the Legislature.  Establishes a position within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (SD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's residents often face significant challenges meeting the requirements to apply for and verify eligibility for state managed social assistance programs, such as food or housing assistance or assistance for elderly or disabled persons.  These individuals often must provide the same information multiple times for different programs and must repeat this process at regular intervals.  Some programs have different benefit eligibility requirements, which can cause confusion for persons applying for multiple programs at the same time.

     Recent changes to federal requirements for some federal social assistance programs, such increases in the frequency of eligibility verification and the introduction of new eligibility requirements, are expected to increase the challenges Hawaii's residents face in accessing benefits and the administrative burden on the agencies providing these services to Hawaii's residents.  One particular challenge is the new medicaid eligibility requirement to document "community engagement" in the form of proof of work, training, or volunteer activities of up to eighty hours a month.

     The legislature further finds that the office of enterprise technology services has the ability to procure master data management, data governance, and data lakehouse tools.  With these tools, the office of enterprise technology services can create a Hawaii benefits hub, which can act as a central portal to assist residents applying for state managed benefits.  The Hawaii benefits hub can be established through a combination of:

     (1)  Master data management to understand applicants holistically across social assistance programs;

     (2)  Data governance to protect applicant privacy and ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations;

     (3)  A data lakehouse that will allow applicants to share data between different social assistance programs and provide proactive reminders and alerts for residents about their benefit eligibility; and

     (4)  A central data integration platform that can collect working and volunteering hours from applicants, employers, and nonprofit organizations.

     The legislature additionally finds that establishing a Hawaii benefits hub will greatly improve the ability of Hawaii's residents to access state managed social assistance benefit programs and ensure they are aware of, and can meet, all eligibility requirements for the benefits they are applying for.  The Hawaii benefits hub can act as a single point of entry for residents to identify which services they are eligible for, provide the information needed for all participating benefit programs, and receive alerts and recommended actions to remain eligible for their benefits.  The Hawaii benefits hub will also reduce administrative burdens for agencies managing social assistance programs by being a central repository for eligibility data, which will reduce redundant costs and ensure the consistency of data provided to all participating agencies.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Require and appropriate funds for the office of enterprise technology services to establish a Hawaii benefits hub; 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.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 27, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§27-     Hawaii benefits hub; established; requirements.  (a)  There is established within the office of enterprise technology services a Hawaii benefits hub to act as a central repository for the needs and credentials of Hawaii's residents applying to state managed social assistance benefit programs and as a central registry for qualified volunteer and educational programs that meet social assistance benefit program community engagement requirements.

     (b)  The department of human services and its attached agencies shall provide direction on the application processes to be included in the Hawaii benefits hub and the eligibility date to be collected, as well as to facilitate needed links to their own data systems, in accordance with all existing federal and state legal agreements and restrictions.  Expansion of the Hawaii benefits hub to new benefit programs shall be subject to available capacity within the office of enterprise technology service.

     (c)  The Hawaii benefits hub shall provide applicants with:

     (1)  Real-time information on current eligibility and verification requirements for state managed social assistance programs; and

     (2)  A user interface, such as an application or webpage, that will allow applicants to enter information to apply for state managed social assistance programs.

     (d)  In establishing the Hawaii benefits hub, the office of enterprise technology services shall purchase or develop the following:

     (1)  A data governance tool to ensure data quality and privacy protection with secured, controlled data sharing;

     (2)  A data management platform to request and manage data from employers, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and federal and state agencies and provide adjustments to any eligibility or verification requirements for state managed social assistance programs;

     (3)  A data interface tool to link all systems and applications for the purpose of data transfer; and

     (4)  A data science tool with machine learning or artificial intelligence capabilities to predict applicant needs, alert applicants to potential loss of benefits, and provide applicants with information on the nearest available opportunity to satisfy any community engagement or other benefit eligibility requirements.

     (e)  Every employer, educational institution, nonprofit organization, and state agency shall, upon request from the Hawaii benefits hub, provide the Hawaii benefits hub with information on an applicant's wages and hours worked.  Data provided by an employer, educational institution, nonprofit organization, and state agency shall be provided in real time, if practicable, or within one business day of the request if the provision of data in real time is impracticable.  Every employer, educational institution, nonprofit organization, and state agency shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations when sharing data with the Hawaii benefits hub."

     SECTION 3.  Section 27-43, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  There is established within the department of accounting and general services the office of enterprise technology services, which shall be headed by a full-time chief information officer to organize, manage, and oversee statewide information technology governance.  The chief information officer shall be appointed by the governor as provided in section 26-34.  The chief information officer shall report to the comptroller and shall:

     (1)  Develop, implement, and manage statewide information technology governance;

     (2)  Develop, implement, and manage the state information technology strategic plans;

     (3)  Develop and implement statewide technology standards;

     (4)  Work with each executive branch department and agency to develop and maintain its respective multi-year information technology strategic and tactical plans and road maps that are part of the State's overall information technology strategic plans, road maps, and directions;

     (5)  Work with executive branch departments and agencies to develop and implement a statewide portal to government services;

    [(5)] (6)  Coordinate each executive branch department and agency's information technology budget request, forecast, and procurement purchase to ensure compliance with the department or agency's strategic plan and road map and with the office of enterprise technology services' information technology governance processes and enterprise architecture policies and standards, including policies and standards for systems, services, hardware, software, and security management;

    [(6)] (7)  Report annually to the governor and the legislature on the status and implementation of the state information technology strategic plan;

    [(7)] (8)  Update the state information technology strategic plan every four years;

    [(8)] (9)  Perform other necessary or desirable functions to facilitate the intent of this section;

    [(9)] (10)  Employ persons exempt from chapters 76 and 89;

   [(10)] (11)  Provide centralized computer information management and processing services, coordination in the use of all information processing equipment, software, facilities, and services in the executive branch of the State, and consultation and support services in the use of information processing and management technologies to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of state government programs;

   [(11)] (12)  Establish, coordinate, and manage a program to provide a means for public access to public information and develop and operate an information network in conjunction with overall plans for establishing a communication backbone for state government; and

   [(12)] (13)  Adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, necessary for the purposes of this part."

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $4,250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of the Hawaii benefits hub, to be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $2,000,000 for a consultant to implement the Hawaii benefits hub system;

     (2)  $500,000 to establish:

          (A)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent project manager;

          (B)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent data architect;

          (C)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent data engineer; and

          (D)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent data frontend developer;

     (3)  $250,000 for data and artificial intelligence governing tools;

     (4)  $500,000 for computing and storage capacity;

     (5)  $500,000 for an integration platform; and

     (6)  $500,000 for a user interface.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of enterprise technology services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Office of Enterprise Technology Services; Hawaii Benefits Hub; Social Assistance Programs; Chief Information Officer; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii Benefits Hub within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services.  Expands the responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer to include collaboration on the development and implementation of a statewide portal to government services.  Appropriates funds.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to human services.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii's residents often face significant challenges meeting the requirements to apply for and verify eligibility for state managed social assistance programs, such as food or housing assistance or assistance for elderly or disabled persons.  These individuals often must provide the same information multiple times for different programs and must repeat this process at regular intervals.  Some programs have different benefit eligibility requirements, which can cause confusion for persons applying for multiple programs at the same time.

     Recent changes to federal requirements for some federal social assistance programs, such increases in the frequency of eligibility verification and the introduction of new eligibility requirements, are expected to increase the challenges Hawaii's residents face in accessing benefits and the administrative burden on the agencies providing these services to Hawaii's residents.  One particular challenge is the new medicaid eligibility requirement to document "community engagement" in the form of proof of work, training, or volunteer activities of up to eighty hours a month.

     The legislature further finds that the office of enterprise technology services has the ability to procure master data management, data governance, and data lakehouse tools.  With these tools, the office of enterprise technology services can create a Hawaii benefits hub, which can act as a central portal to assist residents applying for state managed benefits.  The Hawaii benefits hub can be established through a combination of:

     (1)  Master data management to understand applicants holistically across social assistance programs;

     (2)  Data governance to protect applicant privacy and ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations;

     (3)  A data lakehouse that will allow applicants to share data between different social assistance programs and provide proactive reminders and alerts for residents about their benefit eligibility; and

     (4)  A central data integration platform that can collect working and volunteering hours from applicants, employers, and nonprofit organizations.

     The legislature additionally finds that establishing a Hawaii benefits hub will greatly improve the ability of Hawaii's residents to access state managed social assistance benefit programs and ensure they are aware of, and can meet, all eligibility requirements for the benefits they are applying for.  The Hawaii benefits hub can act as a single point of entry for residents to identify which services they are eligible for, provide the information needed for all participating benefit programs, and receive alerts and recommended actions to remain eligible for their benefits.  The Hawaii benefits hub will also reduce administrative burdens for agencies managing social assistance programs by being a central repository for eligibility data, which will reduce redundant costs and ensure the consistency of data provided to all participating agencies.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate funds for the office of enterprise technology services to establish a Hawaii benefits hub.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 27, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§27-     Hawaii benefits hub; established; requirements.  (a)  There is establish with the office of enterprise technology services a Hawaii benefits hub to act as a central repository for the needs and credentials of Hawaii's residents applying to state managed social assistance benefit programs and as a central registry for qualified volunteer and educational programs that meet social assistance benefit program community engagement requirements.  The Hawaii benefits hub shall provide applicants with:

     (1)  Real-time information on current eligibility and verification requirements for state managed social assistance programs; and

     (2)  A user interface, such as an application or webpage, that will allow applicants to enter information to apply for state managed social assistance programs.

     (b)  In establishing the Hawaii benefits hub, the office of enterprise technology services shall purchase or develop the following:

     (1)  A data governance tool to ensure data quality and privacy protection with secured, controlled data sharing;

     (2)  A data management platform to request and manage data from employers, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and federal and state agencies and provide adjustments to any eligibility or verification requirements for state managed social assistance programs;

     (3)  A data interface tool to link all systems and applications for the purpose of data transfer; and

     (4)  A data science tool with machine learning or artificial intelligence capabilities to predict applicant needs, alert applicants to potential loss of benefits, and provide applicants with information on the nearest available opportunity to satisfy any community engagement or other benefit eligibility requirements.

     (c)  Every employer, educational institution, nonprofit organization, and state agency shall, upon request from the Hawaii benefits hub, provide the Hawaii benefits hub with information on an applicant's wages and hours worked.  Data provided by an employer, educational institution, nonprofit organization, and state agency shall be provided in real time, if practicable, or within one business day of the request if the provision of data in real time is impracticable.  Every employer, educational institution, nonprofit organization, and state agency shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations when sharing data with the Hawaii benefits hub."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $4,250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment of the Hawaii benefits hub, to be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $2,000,000 for a consultant to implement the Hawaii benefits hub system;

     (2)  $500,000 to establish:

          (A)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent project manager;

          (B)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent data architect;

          (C)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent data engineer; and

          (D)  One full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent data frontend developer;

     (3)  $250,000 for data and artificial intelligence governing tools;

     (4)  $500,000 for computing and storage capacity;

     (5)  $500,000 for an integration platform; and

     (6)  $500,000 for a user interface.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of enterprise technology services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Office of Enterprise Technology Services; Hawaii Benefits Hub; Social Assistance Programs; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the Hawaii Benefits Hub within the Office of Enterprise Technology Services.  Appropriates funds.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  823-26

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 Finance, 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 and appropriate funds for the Hawaii Benefits Hub; 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 AlohaCare and Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Office of Enterprise Technology Services.

     Your Committee notes the concerns raised by the Office of Enterprise Technology Services regarding the high costs associated with an integrated benefits hub and whether there may be other governmental agencies that administer benefits that would be more appropriate to assume ownership of the Hawaii Benefits Hub, as the Office's work is primarily on back-end data, governance, and coordination of data sharing in government.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance 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 pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

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,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  66-26

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 Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 2114 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Hawaii benefits hub to act as a central portal to assist residents applying for state managed benefits.

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

     Your Committee finds that as federal requirements for some federal social assistance programs continue to change, Hawaii residents are expected to face increased challenges in accessing social assistance program benefits and maintaining their enrollment in these programs.  Your Committee further finds that the Office of Enterprise Technology Services has the tools and ability to create a Hawaii benefits hub that would offer a centralized, technology-based repository that can help reduce confusion, minimize duplicative processes, and improve efficiency and accuracy for residents, state agencies, and nonprofit service providers.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying the role of the Department of Human Services and its attached agencies as collaborative partners of the benefits hub;

     (2)  Expanding the responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer to include collaborating on the development and implementation of a statewide portal to government services;

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2114, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2114, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Economic Development & Technology.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,