REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO EVALUATE WAYS TO EXPAND REMOTE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HAWAII RESIDENTS AND REDUCE BARRIERS THAT MAY DISCOURAGE OUT-OF-STATE EMPLOYERS FROM HIRING INDIVIDUALS WHO LIVE IN THE STATE.

HCR151

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

151

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the Department of business, economic
development, and tourism to evaluate ways to expand remote employment
opportunities for hawaii residents and reduce barriers that may discourage
out-of-state employers from hiring individuals who live in the state.

����
WHEREAS, Hawaii's
economy has long been heavily dependent on the tourism sector, making the State
vulnerable to global economic disruptions, travel fluctuations, and external
market forces; and

����
WHEREAS, advances
in technology and the expansion of remote work have created new opportunities
for highly skilled workers to contribute to companies and industries located
outside the State while continuing to live in Hawaii; and

����
WHEREAS, many
locals who grew up in the islands must leave the State to pursue career
opportunities due to limited in-state and high-wage opportunities; and

����
WHEREAS, encouraging
remote employment opportunities for Hawaii residents can help retain local
talent, support working families, diversify the State's economic base, and
increase household income; and

����
WHEREAS, employers
located outside the State often face uncertainty regarding Hawaii tax nexus
rules, employer registration requirements, and compliance obligations when
hiring Hawaii residents; and

����
WHEREAS, clarifying
these rules and simplifying administrative processes may reduce barriers that
prevent out-of-state employers from hiring qualified Hawaii residents; and

����
WHEREAS, policy
mechanisms such as remote-employer safe harbors, simplified employer
registration processes, and targeted incentives may increase participation by
out-of-state employers while maintaining appropriate safeguards and
accountability; and

����
WHEREAS, modernizing
state policy to support remote work can strengthen Hawaii's long-term economic
resilience, reduce outward migration of residents, and expand high-wage
employment opportunities; now, therefore

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, the Department
of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is urged to evaluate ways to
expand remote employment opportunities for Hawaii residents and reduce barriers
that may discourage out-of-state employers from hiring individuals who live in
the State; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED the evaluation is requested to:

����
(1)
�
Consider potential approaches to clarify
regulatory and tax compliance expectations for employers located outside the
State that hire Hawaii residents to perform remote work;

����
(2)
�
Ensure the maintenance of applicable worker
protections;

����
(3)
�
Ensure compliance with State labor and tax
laws;

����
(4)
�
Explore methods to simplify employer
onboarding and compliance processes when hiring Hawaii residents for remote
work;

����
(5)
�
Explore opportunities for improved
coordination among relevant state agencies; and

����
(6)
�
Consider policies that prioritize
opportunities for long-term Hawaii residents and individuals educated in
Hawaii, with the goal of strengthening the State's workforce, retaining local
talent, and supporting economic diversification; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is
requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any
proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor, the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, the
Director of Taxation, and the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Remote
Work; Workforce Retention; Economic Diversification