HB454 • 2026

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Budget Small Business Technology

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: ILAGAN
Last action: 2026-04-02
Official status: Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specific details on how the allocated funds will be distributed beyond the initial allocation of $6 million over two fiscal years.

Funding for Economic Diversification Programs

This bill establishes state goals related to economic diversification, appropriates $6 million over two fiscal years to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation for specific programs, and requires annual reports on program progress.

What This Bill Does

Establishes state goals related to economic growth and diversification.
Appropriates $6 million over two fiscal years to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation for specific programs.
Requires the corporation to submit annual reports on program progress and effectiveness for three years.

Who It Names or Affects

The Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
Small businesses in Hawaii

Terms To Know

Economic Diversification: Expanding the range of industries and economic activities to reduce dependence on a single sector.
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation: A state agency that supports technology-based businesses in Hawaii.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how the funds will be distributed beyond the initial allocation.
It is unclear if all allocated funds will be used as intended before they lapse.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment allocates $6 million in state funds to support economic diversification programs managed by the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, with a focus on innovation and technology.

Allocates $2 million each for three specific programs: Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research Program, Manufacturing Assistance Program, and Accelerator Programs facilitated by the corporation.
Requires the corporation to submit annual reports over three years detailing progress and effectiveness of these programs.

The amendment text does not specify how funds will be allocated beyond the three mentioned programs, leaving details about other potential uses of funds unclear.

HD2

Hawaii published version HD2

Plain English: This amendment appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to support programs aimed at economic diversification through various goals, including participation in the digital economy, strengthened trade activities, climate change mitigation, and import replacement.

Appropriates funds for specific programs such as small business innovation research, manufacturing assistance, and accelerator programs.
Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to submit annual reports over three years detailing progress and effectiveness of these programs.

The exact amount of funding appropriated is not specified in the provided text.
The amendment's effective date (July 1, 3000) appears incorrect or symbolic, likely a placeholder for an actual future date.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: This amendment appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to support programs aimed at economic diversification through various goals, including digital economy participation, strengthened trade activities, climate change mitigation, and import replacement.

Appropriates funds for specific programs under the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to achieve state goals related to economic diversification.
Requires the corporation to submit annual reports over three years detailing progress and effectiveness of these programs.
Establishes detailed goals for each program area, such as digital economy participation, strengthened trade activities, climate change mitigation, and import replacement.

The exact amount of funds appropriated is not specified in the provided text.
The amendment does not provide specific details on how the corporation will work with other state or county agencies for program implementation.

Bill History

2026-04-02 S
Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
2026-04-01 H
House Conferee(s) discharged.
2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-04-15 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 732).
2025-04-14 H
House Conferees Appointed: Ilagan, Templo Co-Chairs; Matsumoto.
2025-04-10 S
Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 621).
2025-04-08 H
House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
2025-04-04 H
Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 574) in amended form (SD 1).
2025-04-04 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2025-04-02 S
48 Hrs. Notice 04-04-25.
2025-04-02 S
Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1529) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 1).
2025-03-28 S
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..
2025-03-25 S
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-28-25 10:02AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
2025-03-21 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM.
2025-03-21 S
Reported from EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1250) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to WAM.
2025-03-18 S
The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in EDT were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fukunaga, Kim, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-03-14 S
The committee(s) on EDT has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-25 1:02PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference.
2025-03-06 S
Referred to EDT, WAM.
2025-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2025-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 241).
2025-03-04 H
Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
2025-02-28 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-04-25.
2025-02-28 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1165) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
2025-02-24 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Alcos, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Ward.
2025-02-21 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Monday, 02-24-25 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-02-12 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Sayama, Ward excused (3).
2025-02-12 H
Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 496) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2025-02-07 H
The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Todd, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
2025-02-04 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Friday, 02-07-25 10:15AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to ECD, FIN, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation; Economic Diversification; Appropriation ($)
Establishes state goals related to economic diversification. Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology and Development Corporation to meet those goals. Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to submit annual reports over three years to the legislature. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB454

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

454

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the hawaii technology development corporation
.

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 there is a need to bolster business innovation and
economic development in the State through programs under the Hawaii technology
and development corporation.
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The
legislature further finds that these programs should work towards specific
goals related to economic growth and diversification.
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The legislature additionally finds that the
Hawaii technology development corporation and its various programs should serve
as a facilitative catalyst for innovation in the State and help to align the
State with the emerging knowledge-based, zero-emission, and digital global
economy while putting Hawaii on the path toward economic prosperity.

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Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to promote economic recovery and diversification by:

����
(1)
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Establishing state goals for economic growth
fueled by innovation and technology;

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(2)
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Appropriating funds to the Hawaii technology development
corporation to support programs that address those goals; and

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(3)
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Requiring the Hawaii technology development corporation
to submit annual reports over three years to the legislature.

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SECTION 2.
�
(a)
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The
legislature declares that the programs for which funds are appropriated
pursuant to section 3 of this Act shall align with one or more of the following
goals that address economic diversification:

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(1)
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Economic diversification through participation
in the digital economy:
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programs shall
address economic diversification by strengthening Hawaii's participation in the
digital economy, including:

���������
(A)
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Accessing new markets and market
opportunities;

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(B)
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Strengthening business capacity and readiness to
participate in the digital economy;

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(C)
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Retaining and strengthening businesses that
are increasing revenues through the digital economy;

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(D)
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Strengthening digital economy infrastructure
including broadband affordability and coworking facilities; and

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(E)
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Increasing the number of businesses, revenue,
and employees dedicated to the digital economy;

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(2)
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Economic diversification through strengthened
trade activities:
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programs shall address
economic diversification by strengthening traded activities that redistribute
Hawaii's gross domestic product, including:

���������
(A)
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Increasing the export of goods manufactured in
the State;

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(B)
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Increasing the export of knowledge-based
professional services;

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(C)
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Increasing the value of knowledge-based
professional services through research and development and intellectual
property;

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(D)
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Strengthening the post-production capacity for
value-added agriculture and manufacturing; and

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(E)
�
Increasing the number of businesses, revenue,
and employees in traded sectors; and

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(3)
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Economic diversification through an increase
in activity to reduce and mitigate climate change:
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programs shall address economic
diversification by focusing on activities at the intersection of technology
development and climate change mitigation, including:

���������
(A)
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Making renewable energy more affordable;

���������
(B)
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Retaining and strengthening businesses that
are increasing revenues through solutions to reduce climate change;

���������
(C)
�
Increasing the export of knowledge-based
professional services related to climate change mitigation; and

���������
(D)
�
Increasing the number of businesses, revenue,
and employees in renewable energy sectors.

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(b)
�
The Hawaii technology development corporation
shall implement the programs for which funds are appropriated in section 3 of
this Act for the purpose of meeting the goals described in subsection (a);
provided that the Hawaii technology development corporation may work with any
other state or county agency for the implementation of the assigned programs.

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(c)
�
No later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the regular sessions of 2026, 2027, and 2028, the Hawaii technology
development corporation shall submit a report to the legislature that includes:

����
(1)
�
A summary of the progress of the programs for
which appropriations are made pursuant to this Act;

����
(2)
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The outcomes of the programs for which
appropriations are made pursuant to this Act, including an assessment of each program's
effectiveness in achieving the goals described in subsection (a); and

����
(3)
�
Any findings and recommendations, including
any proposed legislation.

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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 $6,000,000 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 purpose of
economic diversification, as described in section 2(a) of this Act as follows:

����
(1)
�
$2,000,000 for the Hawaii small business innovation
research program;

����
(2)
�
$2,000,000 for the manufacturing assistance program;
and

����
(3)
�
$2,000,000 for accelerator programs
facilitated by the Hawaii technology development corporation.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the
Hawaii technology development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
�
The appropriation made for programs
authorized by section 3 of this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal
biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the
appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2027, shall lapse as of that date.

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SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaii
Technology Development Corporation; Economic Diversification; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
a public policy framework that addresses state goals related to economic
diversification.
�
Appropriates funds to
the Hawaii Technology and Development Corporation to implement specific
programs that address these goals.
�

Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to submit annual
reports over three years to the legislature.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.