Bill > HB304

This bill seeks to modify Hawaii's language laws by establishing a nuanced approach to determining the binding version of laws originally drafted in Hawaiian. Specifically, the bill amends the existing statute governing official languages to create a new rule: when a law was originally drafted in Hawaiian and then translated into English, and has not been subsequently amended or reenacted in English, the Hawaiian version will be considered legally binding. This change is rooted in the state's constitutional recognition of Hawaiian as an official language and aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which supports indigenous peoples' rights to preserve and develop their languages. The bill acknowledges that while English has traditionally been the default binding language in cases of linguistic discrepancy, there are circumstances where the original Hawaiian version should take precedence. The legislation maintains that Hawaiian is not required for public acts and transactions, but provides a mechanism for prioritizing the Hawaiian language text in specific scenarios. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 3000, which appears to be a placeholder date likely meant to indicate a future implementation.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=304&year=2026