Bill > SB584

This bill amends the existing law regarding the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA) by adding aquaculture research, development, and commercialization to its list of official duties. Specifically, the bill expands NELHA's existing mandate, which currently focuses on natural energy resources and ocean-related research, to explicitly include supporting aquaculture as one of its core responsibilities. The bill adds an eighth item to NELHA's list of duties, stating that the authority shall now "support the research, development, and commercialization of aquaculture" alongside its existing functions such as establishing research facilities, providing support to tenants, maintaining infrastructure, and promoting the utilization of natural resources. The addition of aquaculture to NELHA's responsibilities suggests a broadening of the organization's scope to include more diverse marine and technological research and commercial activities, potentially creating new economic opportunities for the state of Hawaii.

Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=584&year=2026