SB 180 appropriates general funds to the State of Hawaii for the Office of Enterprise Technology Services within the Department of Accounting and General Services to develop and maintain a website translation tool for the state website. The bill provides $160,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $168,000 for fiscal year 2026-2027, with the funds to be expended by DAGS for this purpose.
The measure is a targeted technology and accessibility appropriation rather than a broad policy overhaul. If enacted, it would add a dedicated state-funded translation capability to Hawaii’s online presence, likely improving access to government information for residents and users who need content in languages other than English. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
SB 180 would amend state spending by creating a specific appropriation from general revenues to DAGS/OETS for website translation tool development and maintenance. It does not change substantive regulatory statutes, but it directs state resources toward digital accessibility and multilingual public access on the State of Hawaii website, affecting the operations of DAGS and OETS.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be a straightforward administrative appropriation with an accessibility-oriented purpose. The general sentiment is likely neutral to favorable, as the measure supports improved public access to state information without imposing new obligations on the public.
Contention
No committee discussion or voting record was provided, so no specific objections or supporters can be identified from the record. Potential areas of contention, if raised, would likely involve the cost of the appropriation, the effectiveness or scope of the translation tool, and whether the state should prioritize this technology investment over other digital or service needs.