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SB2374
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
2374
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to a blue economy
.
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 natural climate solutions--or actions to protect,
sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems in ways that
address climate change--are crucial interventions that help governments and
companies achieve their net-zero carbon emissions ambitions.
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Marine-based ecosystem restoration projects
have attracted particular attention as natural climate solutions due to their
ability to sequester and store carbon at densities that may exceed other
climate initiatives.
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The legislature further finds that interest
in funding projects that connect marine-based ecosystem restoration with
decarbonization may come from the private sector, public sector, and
philanthropic organizations.
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Coordinating
these funding sources will involve identifying constraints that each sector
must consider, including the costs of project implementation and project
management, and the impact of local and federal governance decisions on project
feasibility and sustainability.
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The legislature additionally finds that
lawmakers adopted S.C.R. No. 115, H.D. 1 (2025), which affirms the importance
of marine ecosystem restoration in achieving the State's decarbonization
goals.
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Notably, the resolution also
reasserted a commitment to strengthening carbon accounting methodologies to
assist in the quantification and reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse
gas emissions, including emissions reductions achieved through ocean and marine
ecosystem restoration.
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The legislature also finds that Hatch
Innovation Services, an innovation consultancy focused on sustainable and
climate smart seafood systems, published a report entitled "Hawaii's Ocean
Opportunity" with funding from the department of agriculture and
biosecurity that recognizes restorative ocean food production as a sustainable
economic venture for the State.
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According
to the report, restorative aquaculture presents a nature-based opportunity to
serve communities at a lower environmental footprint.
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The report also notes that investments in
coastal and marine ecosystem restoration and protection, sustainable marine
aquaculture, zero-emission marine transport, and ocean-based renewable energy
could have a transformative impact on the State's ability to successfully merge
its climate mitigation, carbon sequestration, sustainable agriculture, and
economic development goals.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
establish a blue economy working group to study how best to develop and support
economic activities that further the State's climate and food production goals.
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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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There is established a blue
economy working group to study how best to develop and support marine-based
economic activities that align with the State's decarbonization and restorative
food production goals.
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(b)
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The working group shall:
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(1)
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Evaluate
opportunities for expanding funding and other forms of support for projects
related to a blue economy, including projects that connect coastal and marine
ecosystem restoration with decarbonization and regenerative agricultural
methods;
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(2)
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Analyze
existing blue economic models and research, including the "Hawaii's Ocean
Opportunity" report prepared by Hatch Innovation Services in partnership
with the department of agriculture and biosecurity;
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(3)
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Identify
favorable public policies and best practices for developing successful projects
that follow blue economic principles and align with Hawaii's cultural
foundations;
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(4)
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Assess
possibilities for cross-sector collaboration in the development and expansion
of the State's blue economy, including in the areas of conservation, climate
mitigation, agriculture, and aquaculture; and
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(5)
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Consider
any other relevant factors that the working group deems appropriate.
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(c)
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The working group shall consist of the following members:
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(1)
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The
director of the department of business, economic development, and tourism, or their
designee, who shall serve as chairperson of the working group;
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(2)
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The
chairperson of the board of land and natural resources, or their designee;
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(3)
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The
chief energy officer of the Hawaii state energy office, or their designee;
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(4)
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The
chairperson of the board of agriculture and biosecurity, or their designee;
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(5)
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The
coordinator of the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission,
or their designee;
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(6)
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The
executive director of the university of Hawaii economic research organization,
or their designee;
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(7)
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A
representative from a private business that operates in an oceanic or other
marine-based industry, to be invited by the chairperson;
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(8)
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A
representative from a nonprofit public interest organization that specializes
in marine-based ecosystem restoration or management, to be invited by the
chairperson;
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(9)
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A
representative from a nonprofit public interest organization that specializes
in environmental preservation, to be invited by the chairperson;
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(10)
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A
representative from an organization that specializes in innovation related to
climate smart seafood systems, to be invited by the chairperson; and
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(11)
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Any
additional members with appropriate specialized expertise, as recommended by
the members of the working group, at the discretion of the chairperson.
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(d)
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The members of the working group shall serve without compensation, but
may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred, including travel expenses.
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(e)
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No
member of the working group shall be subject to
chapter 84,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of the
member's
participation in the working group.
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(f)
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The working group shall 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.
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(g)
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The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2027.
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SECTION 3.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Blue
Economy; Decarbonization; Marine Ecosystems; Working Group; Report
Description:
Establishes
the Blue Economy Working Group
to study how to develop and support
marine-based economic activities that align with the State's decarbonization
and restorative food production goals.
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Requires a report 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.