Bill > HB1458

This bill establishes a new special fund called the Broadband and Digital Equity Special Fund, which will receive money collected from a state corporate income tax applied to the advertising revenue of major social media platforms, defined as online platforms with over one million active users in the U.S. that primarily earn revenue from advertising and interact with users in the state. This tax will apply to advertising revenue generated from content created within the state or from audiences located in the state, with the Department of Taxation responsible for implementing and enforcing these rules. The collected funds will then be used to support initiatives aimed at expanding broadband access and strengthening local journalism, addressing a perceived inequity where these platforms benefit from Hawaii's content and audiences without adequately contributing to the state's tax base, and the bill includes an appropriation for the fund and sets an effective date of July 1, 3000.

Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1458&year=2026