Hawaii's Blockchain Exploration Bill is Moving Forward

A bill that would establish a working group to study the feasibility of blockchain technology in Hawaii has passed another milestone.

Legislators in the House's Committee on Finance unanimously passed unamended House Bill 1481 in a vote on 22nd February. HB 1481 makes its way to the Hawaii Senate next.

The proposal requires input from leaders in various business sectors including cybersecurity, real estate, tourism, transportation, retail and even marijuana. At least three blockchain experts will also sit on the panel.

The state has outlined various use cases to be studied by the working group. Chief among them are using blockchain for identity and access management, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing and tourism.

The bill states:

"The legislature recognizes the vast potential for this technology to drastically change and improve public sector operations and private industry capabilities. The legislature finds that highly innovative technologies such as blockchain require an educated and measured approach so that regulations do not stymie innovation and growth in this State."

The full text of Hawaii’s HB 1481 can be found here.

Sea turtle image via Shutterstock

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