HI HB679

Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to create a digital database of applicant, beneficiary, and lessee records with assistance from the Office of Enterprise Technology Services.

Database shall include information on homestead lease application status, number of applications, address, number of denied leases, designated successors, lease history, and other relevant information determined by the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

Digital database must be completed and available for use by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands no later than July 1, 2022.

Addresses inefficiencies in the current system where beneficiary records are spread across multiple locations, making it difficult for applicants to determine their status and enabling some lessees to abuse the program by selling or transferring leases and reapplying.

Act takes effect on July 1, 2021.