Bill > HB451

This bill establishes the Aerospace and Aeronautics Development Program within Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to leverage the state's strategic location and existing aerospace capabilities. The program will be led by a director with space-related expertise, appointed by the governor, who will have broad responsibilities including coordinating space-related activities, promoting aerospace industry growth, facilitating partnerships between the University of Hawaii and businesses, monitoring industry trends, serving as a central contact point for aerospace inquiries, and developing workforce education programs. The director's specific duties include overseeing activities in areas such as astronomy, aviation, environmental monitoring, robotics, and satellite communications, while explicitly prohibiting the launching of vehicles carrying weapons of destruction or nuclear waste. The bill recognizes Hawaii's historical contributions to space exploration and aims to position the state as a major contributor to the global space enterprise by creating a dedicated government program to support and expand aerospace industries. Funding for the program will be appropriated from general state revenues, with the program set to be established and take effect on July 1, 2025.

Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=451&year=2026