RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

HB451

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

451

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to economic development
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that the aerospace and aeronautics fields have played a pivotal
role in expanding and diversifying the national economy by forging new inroads
to scientific discovery, advancing national engineering and manufacturing
expertise, pioneering innovations in communications and computer technologies,
enhancing surveillance of our home planet, and enabling a better understanding
of weather systems and climate change.
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The aerospace and aeronautics industries hold especially great potential
to enable future development and innovation in science and technology in
Hawaii.
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Hawaii's strategic near‑equatorial
location, substantial telemetry, accessible space surveillance, Moon- and
Mars-like terrain, resident expertise in a broad range of aerospace- and
aeronautic-related technologies, and long-standing ties with space-faring
nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region are strategic assets and
capabilities.
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These can be leveraged to
help realize humankind's full potential in space and to establish the State as
a major contributor to, and beneficiary of, the global space enterprise.
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Historically, Hawaii has played a seminal
role in developing the nation's space program through astronaut training and
the development of world-class observatories.
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Today, Hawaii continues to support national space efforts through a wide
range of aerospace-related activities on all major islands, including the Mauna
Kea science reserve on the island of Hawaii, the Air Force Maui optical and
supercomputing observatory on the island of Maui, the university of Hawaii's
institute for astronomy and Hawaii institute of geophysics and planetology on
the island of Oahu, and the Pacific missile range facility on the island of
Kauai.

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The
legislature further finds that establishing the Hawaii aerospace and
aeronautics development program will provide a focal point within the state
government to facilitate dialogue and coordination among Hawaii's public,
private, and academic sectors and between state-based entities and public and
private overseas organizations, and to promote the growth and diversification
of Hawaii's aerospace and aeronautics industries.
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By establishing the aerospace and aeronautics
development program, the State can more efficiently direct its resources to
address the needs of the aerospace and aeronautics fields.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to
establish the aerospace and
aeronautics development program within the department of business, economic
development, and tourism.

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SECTION 2.
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The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to title
13 to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

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Chapter

Aerospace
and aeronautics development program

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Definitions.
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A
s used in this chapter:

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"Director" means the director of
the aerospace and aeronautics development program.

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"Program" means the aerospace and
aeronautics development program.

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Aerospace
and aeronautics development program; establishment.
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(a)
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There is established an aerospace and
aeronautics development program within the department of business, economic
development, and tourism for administrative purposes only.

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(b)
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The director shall have experience, knowledge, and expertise in
space-related activities and development.
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The director shall be nominated and appointed by the governor without
regard to chapter 76.

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(c)
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The director shall hire staff as necessary to carry out the purposes of
this chapter.

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(d)
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The director and employees of the program shall be included in any
benefit program generally applicable to the officers and employees of the
State.

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Director;
powers and duties.
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In addition to any other powers and
duties provided in this chapter, the director shall:

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(1)
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Oversee, supervise, and direct the
planning, evaluation, and coordination of space-related activities and identify
and promote opportunities for expanding and diversifying aerospace-related
industries in the State, including:

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(A)
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Applied
optics;

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(B)
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Astronomy
and astrophysics;

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(C)
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Aviation;

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(D)
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Dual-use
technology;

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(E)
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Environmental
monitoring;

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(F)
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Meteorology;

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(G)
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Remote
sensing; and

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(H)
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Robotics
and unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones, satellite communications, and
commercial space launch;

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(2)
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Initiate discussions for private and
international involvement in space-related activities in the State;

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(3)
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Serve as a catalyst in forging
partnerships between the university of Hawaii and businesses in the State to:

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(A)
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Improve the relevance and quality of
university training to support the growth and diversification of the State's
aerospace industry;

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(B)
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Identify entrepreneurial opportunities to
commercialize basic research; and

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(C)
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Facilitate the transfer of technology
from the university of Hawaii to the private sector to expedite
commercialization;

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(4)
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Assist the university of Hawaii, local
companies, research institutions, and other stakeholders in establishing
partnerships with corporate, government, and university entities overseas that
can promote and enhance the State's aerospace industry;

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(5)
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Leverage aerospace and related
technological capabilities in the State's academic, public, and private sectors
to enhance the State's ability to procure federal and private research and
development grants, and to increase the State's competitiveness in national and
global aerospace markets;

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(6)
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Promote innovative education and
workforce development programs that will enhance public awareness of the
State's aerospace potential and enable residents to pursue employment in the
State's aerospace industry;

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(7)
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Monitor national and global trends in
the aerospace industry and recommend programs and policies to support aerospace
industry development statewide;

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(8)
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Serve as a central point of contact to
respond to inquiries concerning the State's aerospace-related interests and
activities;

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(9)
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Review the effectiveness of present
publications, pamphlets, and other sources of information produced and
distributed by the State about its space-related activities;

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(10)
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Serve as a clearinghouse for
information on the State's space-related activities, including the activities
of the university of Hawaii and federal agencies located in the State;

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(11)
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Target existing businesses that can
provide important products or services to the space industry to support the
expansion of space-related businesses in the State;

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(12)
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Increase
and maintain contact with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and
other federal agencies and facilities;

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(13)
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Institute procedures by which citizens
can offer input on proposed space facilities development at the earliest
possible point in the development process;

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(14)
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Adopt, amend,
and repeal rules, pursuant to chapter 91, as necessary to carry out this
chapter;

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(15)
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Contract
for services as necessary for the purposes of this chapter; and

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(16)
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Do
all other things necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

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Space
vehicles; prohibitions.
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The program
shall not authorize or facilitate the launching into space from the State's
land or ocean territory any vehicle that carries weapons of destruction or
nuclear waste materials, or that uses radioactive materials as a power
source."

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SECTION 3.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $ or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or
so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the
establishment of the aerospace and aeronautics development program within the
department of business, economic development, and tourism.

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The sums

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

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DBEDT;
Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes
the Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program within the Department of
Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
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Appropriates funds.

The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.