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SB3280
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
3280
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING
TO INTERNATIONAL relations
.
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 existing scope
of chapter 229, Hawaii Revised Statutes, needs to be broadened because at
present, it focuses largely on sister-state or province partnerships.
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The legislature further finds that modern
government-to-government work requires the ability to enter into nonbinding memoranda
of understanding with national governments or ministries, regional bodies, and other
Asia-Pacific partners.
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Such an expansion
will enable the State to advance in key areas including agriculture,
biosecurity, climate resilience, indigenous knowledge, education, renewable
energy, and economic development.
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Therefore, the purpose of this Act
is to:
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(1)
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Authorize the governor
and legislature to enter into nonbinding international cooperative agreements
with foreign national governments, foreign subnational jurisdictions, and
regional intergovernmental partners; and
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(2)
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Authorize the
Hawaii
sister-state and international partnerships commission to review proposals for
sister-state or province partnerships and international cooperative agreements.
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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 229, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding two new sections to be appropriately designated and to read
as follows:
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"
�229-
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Purpose.
�
The
purpose of this chapter is to facilitate Hawaii's engagement in international,
regional, and sister-state or province partnerships to support the State's
cultural, educational, environmental, and economic goals.
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This chapter authorizes the State to enter
into sister-state or province partnerships and international cooperative
agreements with foreign national governments, foreign subnational
jurisdictions, and regional intergovernmental partners.
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�229-
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International cooperative agreements;
authorized.
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(a)
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The governor, or the governor's designee, may enter into nonbinding
international cooperative agreements with national governments; national
ministries, departments, or agencies; provincial or regional governments; or
international intergovernmental bodies relevant to the State's interests in
Asia and the Pacific.
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(b)
�
The legislature, through concurrent resolution or by enacting session
law to that effect, may enter into nonbinding international cooperative
agreements with national governments; national ministries, departments, or
agencies; provincial or regional governments; or international
intergovernmental bodies relevant to the State's interests in Asia and the
Pacific.
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(c)
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Any
international cooperative agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a) or
(b):
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(1)
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Shall be
nonbinding;
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(2)
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Shall not
create legally enforceable obligations; and
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(3)
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Shall not
constitute any treaty, alliance, compact, or other agreement that is prohibited
by Article I, Section 10, of the United States Constitution.
"
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SECTION 3.
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Chapter 229, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending its title to read as follows:
"
INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS;
SISTER-STATE
[
AND
]
OR
PROVINCE [
RELATIONSHIPS
]
PARTNERSHIPS
;
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS
"
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SECTION
4
.
�
Section 229-2,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as
follows:
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"
(b)
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The commission shall support the governor,
legislature, and office of international affairs in building and maintaining
strategic long-term sister-state or province partnerships
and international
cooperative agreements
that promote and enrich the people, cultures,
environments, and economies of the State and its international partners."
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SECTION
5
.
�
Section 229-3,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
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"
�229-3
�
Initiating sister-state [
relationships.
]
or province partnerships; proposal review; international cooperative
agreements.
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(a)
�
The commission shall
evaluate and develop recommendations for the initiation of all
sister-state or province partnerships
or
international cooperative agreements
and forward its recommendation to the
legislature.
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The legislature, if it so
chooses, shall implement the recommendation to initiate a sister-state or
province partnership
or international cooperative agreement
by either
adopting a concurrent resolution or by enacting session law to that effect.
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(b)
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The commission may review proposals for sister-state
or province relationships or international cooperative agreements, including
agreements with national governments or ministries, and shall make
recommendations to the legislature and governor.
"
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SECTION
6
.
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Section 229-4,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending its title to read as follows:
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"
�229-4
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Maintaining sister-state [
relationships.
]
or province partnerships.
"
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SECTION
7
.
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Section 229-5,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending its title to read as follows:
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"
�229-5
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Dissolving sister-state [
relationships
.
]
or
province partnerships.
"
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SECTION 8.
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Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory
material is underscored.
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SECTION 9.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
International
Relations; International Cooperative Agreements; Sister-State or Province
Partnerships; Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission
Description:
Authorizes
the Governor and Legislature to enter into nonbinding international cooperative
agreements with foreign national governments, foreign subnational jurisdictions,
and regional intergovernmental partners.
�
Authorizes the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships
Commission to review proposals for sister-state or province partnerships and
international cooperative agreements.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.