HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1293

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to remote work.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§201-     Remote work transition grant program.  (a)  There is established within the department a remote work transition grant program to assist businesses in:

     (1)  Converting to virtual offices; or

     (2)  Building remote work capabilities.

     (b)  Grants shall be used to cover expenses associated with converting the business location to a virtual office or building remote work capabilities, including but not limited to business technology equipment, home office equipment, and partial residential utility costs.

     (c)  In selecting businesses for grants, the department shall give preference to businesses that can demonstrate:

     (1)  A substantial reduction in year-over-year revenue;

     (2)  Small businesses; or

     (3)  The use of grants will substantially:

          (A)  Reduce a high occupancy in a confined shared office; or

          (B)  Reduce the number of miles cumulatively traveled to work by employees;

     (d)  Awardees shall annually certify and provide documentation that moneys were expended in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) until all moneys are expended.  Failure to certify or provide documentation, or if there is a finding that moneys were used on expenses not authorized under this section or rules adopted by the department, the awardee shall be liable to the State for the amounts not used in accordance with subsection (b) or rules.

     (e)  The department shall adopt rules to carry out the purposes of the grant program.

     (f)  Chapters 42F and 103D shall not apply to the grants made pursuant to this section, but all grants made under this section shall be made only in accordance with the standards and conditions specified in this section or the rules adopted pursuant to this section.

     (g)  For purposes of this section, "small business" means a for-profit corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, sole proprietorship, or other legal entity that:

     (1)  Is domiciled and authorized to do business in Hawaii;

     (2)  Is independently owned and operated; and

     (3)  Employs fewer than            full-time or part-time employees in Hawaii."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021-2022 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to implement the grant program established under section 1 of this Act and to issue grants pursuant to that program.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

DBEDT; Remote Work Transition Grant Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes a remote work transition grant program within DBEDT to assist businesses in converting to virtual offices or building remote work capabilities.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

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