HI HB2577

Creates a new Hawaii statute governing contracts between publishers and public/school libraries for licensing electronic books and digital audiobooks.

Prohibits publishers from including contract terms that prevent libraries from making preservation copies, participating in interlibrary loans, setting their own loan periods, or virtually reading/displaying materials to patrons.

Bars publishers from charging libraries more than the public price for e-books, limiting how many licenses libraries can acquire, or imposing both time-based and circulation-based restrictions simultaneously.

Violations constitute unfair and deceptive trade practices under Hawaii law, making prohibited contract provisions void and unenforceable, with remedies available to libraries, library officers, or borrowers.

Enforcement is suspended until at least one other state enacts similar legislation regulating library e-book licensing contracts.