RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

SB2581

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2581

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
The purpose of this Act is to promote
products manufactured in Hawaii; expand the export of Hawaii-made goods;
attract foreign and domestic investment and commercial activity to the State; foster
sister-state, educational, athletic, and cultural exchanges; and advance
initiatives that yield economic benefits for Hawaii by:

����
(1)
�
Expanding the
purposes of the establishment and operation of offices in out-of-state
locations to include serving Hawaii's businesses through various initiatives;

����
(2)
�
Requiring and
appropriating funds for the department of business, economic development, and
tourism to establish an out
‑
of-state office in Seoul,
Republic of Korea; and

����
(3)
�
Appropriating funds
for the department of business, economic development, and tourism's Beijing
office and Taipei office to promote "Made in Hawaii" branded products
and increase the export of Hawaii products.

����
SECTION
2
.
�
Section 201-81,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�201-81
�
Establishment of
out-of-state offices; purposes.
�
The
department of business, economic development, and tourism may establish and
operate offices and facilities in out-of-state locations, including foreign
nations, to effectuate the following purposes:

����
(1)
�
Develop programs
to reach targeted companies or industries in the respective area and
surrounding regions;

����
(2)
�
Monitor
out-of-state government policies and regulations that have an impact on
business, markets, sales, tourism, and related activities;

����
(3)
�
Host government
and business officials at conferences, meetings and social occasions, or other
events on matters pertaining to business opportunities and attraction of
investments for the State;

����
(4)
�
Develop and
conduct advertising efforts, promotional events, media coverage, and
educational programs regarding commerce in the State;

����
(5)
�
Conduct related
operations as needed, including hiring or contracting for consultants;

����
(6)
�
Support
sister-state or province relationships, as defined in section 229-1, and other
partnerships that promote and enrich the people, cultures, environments, and
economies of the State and its international partners; [
and
]

����
(7)
�
Create stable
linkages between Hawaii and their respective regions;

����
(8)
�
Host and
organize trade missions;

����
(9)
�
Introduce and
market hew products and services from Hawaii;

���
(10)
�
Act as a
conduit for economic and business-related information between Hawaii and their
respective regions;

���
(11)
�
Match
businesses in Hawaii with opportunities in the respective area;

���
(12)
�
Promote Hawaii
tourism;

���
(13)
�
Collaborate
with tourism agencies and stakeholders to execute tourism strategies;

���
(14)
�
Support and
implement the department's programs; and

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[
(7)
]

(15)
�
Generate revenue for the State."

����
SECTION 3.
�
The department of business, economic
development, and tourism shall establish an out-of-state office in Seoul,
Republic of Korea, as authorized under section 201-81, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

����
SECTION 4.
�
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 2026-2027 for the department of
business, economic development, and tourism to establish an out-of-state office
in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

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

����
SECTION 5.
�
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 2026-2027 for the
department of business, economic development, and tourism's Beijing office and
Taipei office to promote "Made in Hawaii" branded products and
increase the export of Hawaii products.

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

����
SECTION 6.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

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SECTION 7.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Department
of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Out-of-state Offices; Purposes;
Republic of Korea; Establishment; Beijing; Taipei; Made in Hawaii Products;
Appropriation

Description:

Expands
the purposes of the establishment and operation of offices in out-of-state locations
to include serving Hawaii's businesses and tourism efforts through various
initiatives.
�
Requires, and appropriates
funds for, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to
establish an out
‑
of-state office in Seoul, Republic of Korea.
�
Appropriates funds for the Department of Business,
Economic Development, and Tourism's Beijing office and Taipei office to promote
"Made in Hawaii" branded products and increase the export of Hawaii
products.

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