RELATING TO THE HAWAII SPACE COMMISSION.

HB1903

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1903

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the Hawaii space commission
.

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

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SECTION
1.
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The Hawaii Revised Statutes is
amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

"
Chapter

Hawaii space commission

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Definitions.
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For purposes
of this chapter:

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"Board"
means the Hawaii space commission board.

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"Commission"
means the Hawaii space commission.

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"Department"
means the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

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Hawaii space commission; established.
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(a)
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There is established within the department for administrative purposes
the Hawaii space commission.

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(b)
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The purpose of the commission shall be to
promote innovation in the fields of space exploration and commercial aerospace,
including the integration of the space, aeronautics, and aviation industries
into the economy of the State.

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Hawaii space commission board; established.
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(a)
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The commission shall be governed by a board of directors to be known as
the Hawaii space commission board.
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The
board shall comprise:

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(1)
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Three members appointed by the governor under
section 26-34;

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(2)
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Three members appointed by the president of
the senate; and

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(3)
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Three members appointed by the speaker of the
house of representatives.

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(b)
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In making appointments under subsection (a),
the governor, president of the senate, and speaker of the house of
representatives shall prioritize appointing individuals who have experience in:

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(1)
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Commercial aerospace;

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(2)
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Civil aviation;

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(3)
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Military aerospace;

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(4)
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Space-related economic development;

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(5)
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Space-related academic research; and

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(6)
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Nonprofit support of the space industry.

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(c)
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The board shall:

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(1)
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Oversee the commission;

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(2)
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Oversee the development of a strategic plan;
and

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(3)
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Establish appropriate standards to ensure the
proper use of any funds authorized under this chapter for research and
facilities development.

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Hawaii space commission; powers and duties.
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(a)
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In
addition to any other powers and duties provided by this chapter, the
commission shall:

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(1)
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Identify research and funding opportunities
for entities in the State that:

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(A)
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Strengthen and enhance the development of
space flight infrastructure;

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(B)
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Enhance integration of the space, aeronautics,
astronautics, and aviation industries into the State's economy; and

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(C)
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Promote research involving materials derived
from or developed through space exploration and space flight; and

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(2)
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Support workforce training for space
exploration.

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(b)
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The commission may:

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(1)
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Adopt and use an official seal;

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(2)
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Solicit and accept gifts or grants, and
contract with any entity;

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(3)
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Acquire and convey property or an interest in
property;

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(4)
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Procure insurance as the board considers
necessary and advisable to accomplish the commission's purposes;

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(5)
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Make grants to public or private persons having
an established presence in the State to encourage economic development related
to space exploration;

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(6)
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Make grants to enhance the capacity of
institutions of higher education to participate in and support classified
research;

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(7)
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Provide matching funding for external funding
provided by relevant federal agencies, the private industry, or private
research organizations;

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(8)
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Engage in the planning and implementation of
aerospace-related educational opportunities within the State in coordination
with the Pacific international center for high technology research under
section 304A-3101; and

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(9)
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Adopt rules under chapter 91 for purposes of
this chapter.

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Executive
director.
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The board shall appoint an
executive director of the commission, who shall:

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(1)
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Serve as the commission's chief executive
officer;

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(2)
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Be responsible for developing and
administering the commission's programs under the board's direction;

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(3)
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Serve on a part-time or full-time basis;

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(4)
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Have a demonstrated ability to lead and
develop academic, commercial, military, or governmental partnerships and
coalitions;

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(5)
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Be familiar with the people and cultures of
Hawaii;

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(6)
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Be exempt from chapter 76; and

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(7)
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Employ staff under chapter 76, within
available appropriations.

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Strategic plan; annual report.
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(a)
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The commission shall develop and annually update a strategic plan for
the promotion of space, aeronautics, and aviation economic development within
the State.

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(b)
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The strategic plan shall identify potential
projects that further the purpose of the commission, and, for each project:

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(1)
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The estimated total cost for completion,
including any potential state matching costs; and

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(2)
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An assessment of the availability of external
funding sources.

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(c)
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The strategic plan may include any other
information the commission deems relevant to furthering the purpose of the
commission.

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(d)
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The commission shall prepare an annual report
of its activities for the prior fiscal year.

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(e)
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The commission shall submit the annual report
and the latest strategic plan to the legislature no later than twenty days
prior to each regular legislative session.

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Space
exploration and aeronautics research special fund.
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(a)
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There is established the space exploration and aeronautics research
special fund to provide grants to eligible entities.

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(b)
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The fund shall be composed of:

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(1)
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Gifts, grants, and donations provided to the
commission; and

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(2)
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Moneys appropriated to the fund by the
legislature.

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(c)
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The commission may provide grants to eligible
entities for:

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(1)
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The development of emerging technologies
required for any aspect of human space flight;

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(2)
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Research involving any aspect of space
exploration and space flight;

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(3)
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Workforce training to promote space
exploration and space flight;

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(4)
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The curation of post-mission materials
involved in space exploration and space flight; and

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(5)
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The development of infrastructure useful or
necessary for establishing and maintaining a spaceport.

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(d)
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The following entities shall be eligible for
a grant under this section:

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(1)
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A business or nonprofit entity involved in the
space exploration, research, or aeronautics industry; and

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(2)
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A governmental entity with which the
commission has entered into an intergovernmental agreement for the purpose of
advancing space exploration, research, or the aeronautics industry."

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SECTION
2.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
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or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for deposit into the space exploration and
aeronautics research special fund.

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SECTION
3.
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There is appropriated out of the
space exploration and aeronautics research special fund the sum of
$ or so much thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the Hawaii space commission
to award grants to eligible entities.

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The sum

appropriated shall be expended by the
Hawaii space commission for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION
4.
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There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $
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or so much thereof as may be
necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the establishment and operation of the
Hawaii space commission.

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The sum

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

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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii
Space Commission; DBEDT; Appropriations; Special Fund

Description:

Establishes
the Hawaii Space Commission within the Department of Business, Economic
Development, and Tourism to promote innovation in the fields of space
exploration and commercial aerospace.
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Appropriates moneys.

The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.