Bill > HB313

This bill aims to address economic disparities for Native Hawaiians by expanding the state's enterprise zone program to include homestead lots, which are residential, agricultural, or pastoral lands awarded under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Currently, most homestead lots are excluded from enterprise zone benefits like general excise tax exemptions, income tax credits, and expedited business permit processing. The bill would automatically designate all eligible homestead lots as enterprise zones for twenty years, creating a separate set of qualification requirements for businesses operating on these lands. The legislative findings highlight that Native Hawaiian households have significantly lower median incomes compared to the state average, and most residents of homestead lots currently work outside their communities in sectors like construction, public administration, and education. By providing these new business incentives, the bill seeks to promote economic development and entrepreneurship within Native Hawaiian communities by making it easier and more financially attractive to start and operate businesses on homestead lots. The key changes include automatically designating homestead lots as enterprise zones, creating a tailored eligibility process for businesses on these lots, and allowing businesses to qualify for tax credits and other economic incentives without meeting the strict employment or sales growth requirements that apply to other enterprise zones.

Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=313&year=2026