RELATING TO LAND REGISTRATION.
HB1360 directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), in coordination with the Bureau of Conveyances, to study and implement a major overhaul of Hawaii’s land registration framework. The bill would consolidate the state’s dual land registry systems—the land court system and the regular system—into a single unified registry, with the goal of reducing inefficiencies, confusion, and administrative burden. It also requires DLNR to establish unified standards and procedures, preserve key legal protections such as title certification and public recording, and complete the transition by June 30, 2030.
The bill further requires DLNR to digitize all land records, including historical and current documents, into a centralized searchable online database. That database must support public access with privacy and security safeguards, allow searches by parcel number, owner name, and transaction history, and include a secure electronic portal for submitting and accessing records. The bill also directs DLNR to explore and implement blockchain technology to improve integrity, transparency, and real-time verification of land ownership and transaction history, and to provide public outreach and an affordable fee structure for access to records.
If enacted, HB1360 would significantly change how Hawaii records, stores, and accesses land ownership information by moving from two separate registry systems to one unified digital system. It would place new administrative duties on DLNR and the Bureau of Conveyances, require the conversion of paper and legacy records into electronic form, and authorize the use of blockchain-based recordkeeping. The bill also appropriates $15 million for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support digitization, system development, blockchain deployment, and public education, and it requires interim and final reports to the Legislature on implementation progress and any needed follow-up legislation.
The available context suggests generally positive or reform-oriented sentiment, though no committee transcript or vote record is provided to show direct debate. The bill’s findings frame the current system as inefficient and outdated, and the proposal is presented as a modernization effort intended to improve transparency, accessibility, and security. Its referral to the WAL and FIN committees indicates it was still in the review process and likely expected to be examined for policy and fiscal implications.
The main points of potential contention are the scope, cost, and feasibility of the proposed overhaul. Consolidating two longstanding land registration systems into one could raise concerns about legal transition issues, preservation of title protections, and operational disruption during the move to a new system. The use of blockchain technology may also draw scrutiny over cost-effectiveness, technical readiness, and whether it is necessary for land records. In addition, the $15 million appropriation and the 2030 implementation deadline could prompt questions about budget priorities, staffing, and whether the state can complete digitization and public access goals on schedule.