Bill Text: HI SB1297 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To The Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [SB1297 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SB1297-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1297 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds
that, in light of the State's ongoing economic recovery from the outbreak of
the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the State must accelerate its economic
diversification efforts through substantial, strategic, coordinated investments.
This Act establishes a policy
framework for Hawaii technology development corporation projects that will ensure
economic success. The legislature finds that
the implementation of this framework will not require a significant additional investment
in overhead resources but will require funds for specific projects that are identified
collaboratively by the legislature and the Hawaii technology development corporation. The implementation will also require the establishment
of specific goals that these projects shall address and reports to the legislature
that assess the effectiveness of the projects in meeting those goals.
The legislature finds that,
through this Act, the Hawaii technology development corporation will serve as a
facilitative catalyst for innovation in the State and will help to align the State
with the emerging knowledge-based, zero‑emission, and digital global
economy while putting Hawaii on the path toward economic prosperity.
Accordingly, the purpose
of this Act is to promote economic recovery and diversification by:
(1) Establishing state goals for economic growth fueled by innovation and technology;
(2) Appropriating funds to the Hawaii technology
development corporation to implement specific projects that address those goals;
(3) Requiring the Hawaii technology development
corporation to submit annual reports to the legislature that summarize:
(A) The progress of projects assigned to the
Hawaii technology development corporation by this Act;
(B) The outcomes of the projects assigned to the
Hawaii technology development corporation, including an assessment of each project's effectiveness
in achieving state goals; and
(C) Any other findings and recommendations, including any
proposed legislation; and
(4) Re—establishing the two—year Hawaii office of naval research grant program.
PART II
SECTION 2. (a) The
legislature declares that the projects for which funds are appropriated pursuant
to sections 4 and 5 of this Act align with one or more of the following goals that
address economic diversification:
(1) Economic diversification through participation
in the digital economy: projects shall address
economic diversification by strengthening Hawaii's participation in the digital
economy, including:
(A) Accessing new markets and market opportunities;
(B) Strengthening business capacity and readiness to participate in
the digital economy;
(C) Retaining and strengthening businesses that
are increasing revenues through the digital economy;
(D) Strengthening digital economy infrastructure including broadband
affordability and coworking facilities; and
(E) Increasing the number of businesses, revenue,
and employees dedicated to the digital economy.
(2) Economic diversification through strengthened trade
activities: projects shall address economic
diversification by strengthening traded activities that redistribute Hawaii's gross
domestic product, including:
(A) Increasing the export of goods manufactured in
the State;
(B) Increasing the export of knowledge-based professional services;
(C) Increasing the value of knowledge-based professional
services through research and development and intellectual property;
(D) Strengthening the post-production capacity for
value-added agriculture and manufacturing; and
(E) Increasing the number of
businesses, revenue, and employees in traded sectors.
(3) Economic diversification through increase in
activity to reduce and mitigate climate change:
projects shall address economic diversification by focusing on activities
at the intersection of technology development and climate change mitigation, including:
(A) Making renewable energy more
affordable;
(B) Retaining and strengthening businesses that
are increasing revenues through solutions to reduce climate
change;
(C) Increasing the export of knowledge-based professional
services related to climate change mitigation; and
(D) Increasing the number of businesses, revenue, and employees in renewable energy sectors.
(b) The Hawaii technology development corporation
shall implement the projects for which funds are appropriated in sections 4 and
5 of this Act for the purpose of meeting the goals described in subsection (a);
provided that the Hawaii technology development corporation may work with any other state or county agency for the implementation
of the assigned projects.
(c) No later than twenty days prior to the convening
of the regular sessions of 2024, 2025, and 2026, the Hawaii technology
development corporation shall submit a report to the legislature that includes:
(1) A summary of the progress of the projects assigned
to the Hawaii technology development corporation by this Act;
(2) The outcomes of the projects assigned to the Hawaii
technology development corporation by this Act, including an assessment of each
project's effectiveness in achieving the goals described in subsection (a); and
(3) Any findings and recommendations, including any
proposed legislation.
SECTION 3. 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 2023-2024 to be deposited into the strategic development programs revolving fund.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the strategic
development programs revolving fund the sum of $ or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 for the purposes of
stimulating private capital investments into small businesses in Hawaii and for
administrative support of the state small business credit initiative.
The sum appropriated shall
be expended by the Hawaii technology development corporation 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 2023-2024 for the purpose of economic diversification, as described in section
2(a) of this Act as follows:
(1) $ to accelerate economic diversification by supporting and enhancing existing accelerator grant programs and encouraging new accelerator programs;
(2) $
to support economic development opportunities with the trade sector,
especially for products manufactured in Hawaii, by working with strategic
partners to build awareness of Hawaii-made products outside of the State;
(3) $ for operations, administration, and awarding
of grants by the Hawaii small business innovation research program;
(4) $
to support economic development opportunities with the defense sector,
including aerospace, and to support companies conducting small business
innovation research to transition past grants into large contracts;
(5) $ for operations, administration, and awarding
of grants by the manufacturing assistance program; and
(6) $ to reduce and mitigate climate change through renewable energy technology demonstration projects such as hydrogen, geothermal, or clean ground, air, and sea transportation in support of Hawaii's hydrogen hub proposal to the United States Department of Energy.
The sum appropriated shall
be expended by the Hawaii technology development corporation for the purposes of
this Act.
SECTION 6. The appropriation made for projects authorized by section 5 of this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2025, shall lapse as of that date.
PART III
(b) Subject to the availability of funds, the Hawaii technology development corporation may provide a grant to any business that:
(1) Has been awarded a competitive contract from the Department of Defense Office of Naval Research that is related to research on alternative energy and energy efficiency technologies in the fields of geothermal, solar, wind, ocean power, hydrodynamics, bioenergy, biomass, solid waste, smart grids, transportation, or demand response;
(2) Is
sixty per cent or more resident-owned; provided that for purposes of this paragraph,
"resident" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 235-1, Hawaii
Revised Statutes;
(3) Is
a for-profit entity organized under the laws of the State;
(4) Has
been doing business in the State for not less than one year;
(5) Agrees
to expend all grant funds awarded pursuant to this Act in the State; and
(6) Conducts research in alternative energy that has a high technology readiness level or high potential for implementation as evidenced by a contract, funded by moneys designated by the United States Congress as funding for alternative energy and a national defense budget funding directive, with the Department of Defense Office of Naval Research that is existing and active or was granted within three years prior to the effective date of this Act;
provided that the amount of any grant awarded pursuant to this Act shall not exceed fifty per cent of the amount of the grant awarded to the business by the Department of Defense Office of Naval Research; provided further that the business shall not be eligible for a grant pursuant to this section if the business has obtained any other state grant for the same research, other than the grant awarded to the business by the Department of Defense Office of Naval Research, at the time of or during the duration of the grant from the Hawaii office of naval research grant program.
(c) The Hawaii office of naval research grant program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2026.
(d) The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, necessary for the purposes of implementing the Hawaii office of naval research grant program.
SECTION 8. There is established the alternative energy research and development revolving fund for the purpose of promoting alternative energy research and development in Hawaii.
The alternative energy research and development revolving fund shall be abolished on June 30, 2026, and all unencumbered balances shall lapse to the credit of the general fund.
SECTION 9. 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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be deposited into the alternative energy research and development revolving fund.
SECTION 10. There is appropriated out of the alternative energy research and development revolving fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purpose of the Hawaii office of naval research grant program; provided that the moneys appropriated by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the 2024-2025 fiscal year; provided further that any moneys that remain unencumbered on June 30, 2025, shall lapse on that date.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii technology development corporation for the purposes of this Act.
PART IV
SECTION 11. Section 206M-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b)
The governing body of the development corporation shall consist of a
board of directors having nine voting members.
The director of business, economic development, and tourism, [and
an appointed member from the University of Hawaii, or their designated
representatives,] or the director's designee, and the chairperson of the
board of regents of the university of Hawaii shall serve as ex officio[[],[]]
voting members of the board[.]; provided that the chairperson of the
board of regents, with the approval of the board of regents and subject to
quorum and majority requirements, may designate another regent to serve. All members shall have knowledge, interest,
and proven expertise in, but not limited to, one or more of the following
fields: finance, commerce and trade,
corporate management, marketing, economics, engineering, telecommunications,
innovation, and other technology fields.
Seven of the members shall be appointed by the governor pursuant to
section 26-34 for staggered terms; provided that membership shall include:
(1) Three members who shall be appointed by the governor from a list of four nominees submitted by the president of the senate, and three members who shall be appointed by the governor from a list of four nominees submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives; provided that if fewer than four nominees are submitted for each appointment, the governor may disregard the list; and
(2) One member who shall be appointed by the governor from the economic development board of Maui, Kauai, or Hawaii county.
The governor shall make board member appointments to ensure the fulfillment of all requirements of paragraphs (1) and (2); provided that upon the occurrence of a vacancy subject to paragraph (1), the governor shall notify the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives of any unfulfilled requirements pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), and the president of the senate or the speaker of the house of representatives, as appropriate, shall submit nominees who fulfill the requirements pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2). All appointed members of the board shall continue in office until their respective successors have been appointed. The director of business, economic development, and tourism shall serve as the chairperson until such time as a chairperson is elected by the board from the membership. The board shall elect other officers as it deems necessary."
PART V
SECTION 12. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 13. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
HTDC; Economic Diversification; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes a public policy framework that addresses state goals in the area of economic diversification. Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to implement specific projects that address those goals. Requires the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Authorizes the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to temporarily re-establish the Hawaii Office of Naval Research Grant Program to provide fifty per cent matching grants to Hawaii awardees of alternative energy research grants from the Department of Defense Office of Naval Research. Establishes the Alternative Energy Research and Development Revolving Fund. Appropriates moneys into and out of the revolving fund. Amends the composition of the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation Board of Directors to include the Chairperson of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, unless the Chairperson, with the approval of the Board of Regents, designates another Regent to serve. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
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