HI HB1408

Establishes a digital equity grant program administered by the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office to award grants for digital equity projects serving covered populations including low-income households (up to 200% of federal poverty level), seniors, veterans, individuals with disabilities, non-English speakers, racial/ethnic minorities, rural residents, and homeless individuals.

Limits eligible projects to digital literacy and broadband access services; projects involving deployment of broadband infrastructure are ineligible for funding.

Requires applicants to submit detailed applications including project descriptions, outreach plans for non-English speakers, evidence of digital inequity in the project area, number of people to be served, matching funds, and economic feasibility; prioritizes non-governmental entities with demonstrated experience serving covered populations.

Mandates the Office to establish a public scoring system released at least 30 days before applications are due, weighing heavily factors such as size of covered populations served, applicant experience and resources, cost-effectiveness, matching funds committed, and lack of project duplication.

Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025; requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to adopt administrative rules within six months; effective date is June 30, 3000.