HI HB2499: Relating To Demographic Data.

In one paragraph

Hawaii's House Bill 2499 (2026) would have had the Office of Enterprise Technology Services set statewide standards for how state and county agencies collect and report race and ethnicity data. If that data informs an automated or AI system, the Office would have had to test for bias before deployment, monitor fairness, publish plain-language descriptions and ensure privacy laws apply. ECD deferred it February 6, 2026 and it was not enacted. It would have taken effect July 1, 2026.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

None: the bill was not enacted. If enacted, it would have bound state and county agencies, not private businesses, to data standards and AI bias testing.

Key provisions

1. 1Would have had OETS coordinate statewide standards for collecting, managing and reporting race and ethnicity data, aligned with federal Statistical Policy Directive No. 15 (2024)
2. 2Covered state and county departments, agencies, boards and commissions would have had to follow the standards and report compliance to OETS
3. 3If the data informs an automated or AI system, OETS would have had to conduct or require bias testing before deployment, monitor fairness and equity, and publish plain-language descriptions of those uses
4. 4Use of the data would have been limited to public-interest purposes, with personal identifying information kept confidential
5. 5Appropriation left blank; referred to ECD, JHA, FIN February 2, 2026; deferred February 6, 2026; stated effective date July 1, 2026

Latest legislative action

Feb 6, 2026. The committee(s) on ECD recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.

Sponsors (showing 5 of 17)