Hawaii-2013-HR180-Introduced

WHEREAS, Hawaii's mid-Pacific and near-equatorial location, state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure, resident expertise in aerospace technology, and international ties with space-faring nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region afford unique opportunities to support the launch from Hawaii of commercial and government payloads into both equatorial and polar orbits; and

WHEREAS, these strategic assets and capabilities enable Hawaii to provide safer, more cost-effective space launch operations, with significantly reduced air constraints, in comparison with other United States launch sites; and

WHEREAS, space launch operations from Hawaii could foster joint partnerships between federal agencies and private industry in the State; grow both local and federal tax bases; improve local roads, power grids, and communications networks; strengthen United States strategic defense capabilities; enhance the development of new space technologies and commercial initiatives; and ultimately help expand and diversify Hawaii's economy; and

WHEREAS, a consortium of companies has introduced a proposal to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for developing a commercial space launch and control facility in Hawaii that would leverage the State’s strategic assets and capabilities to help achieve these goals, as well as to provide cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable access to space for both public and private institutions and organizations worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the feasibility study would be funded through federal appropriations to assess:

(1) The economic viability and long-term benefits, locally and nationally, of developing a space launch and control facility in Hawaii that could be both constructed and operated through public-private partnerships;

(2) The ability of the proposed commercial space launch facility to facilitate international alliances that could help reduce the costs and enhance the benefits of space exploration, and thereby attract overseas investment;

(3) The technical feasibility of using a commercial space launch and control facility in Hawaii to test, validate, and implement new technologies for both commercial and government applications;

(4) The ability to develop a commercial space launch facility that would be both sensitive and responsive to local economic needs, community development plans, educational priorities, and cultural and environmental concerns;

(5) Opportunities to engage the public as participants and stakeholders in space launch facility operations and programs; and

(6) The ability to advance Hawaii's full potential as a global leader in commercial space launch activities, including the development of infrastructure that will enable space-based research and space tourism, as well as cost effective and sustainable robotic and human missions beyond low-Earth orbit; and

WHEREAS, growing interest in and increasing demand for commercial launch services worldwide would enable a space launch and control facility in Hawaii to position the State as both a major contributor to and beneficiary of global space enterprise; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that the Legislature recognizes the substantial scientific, educational, and economic benefits of potentially establishing commercial space launch operations in the State of Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature, in collaboration with the gubernatorial administration, local industry, and research institutions, is willing and able to lead a proactive, coordinated, and sustained action to encourage and promote federal support to fund the proposed feasibility study to establish a commercial space launch and control facility in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature supports efforts by national partners to secure funding for a feasibility study for commercial space launch operations in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the members of the Hawaii congressional delegation, the Commander of the United States Pacific Command; the Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet; the Commander of the Pacific Air Forces; the Commanding General of the United States Army Pacific; the Commander of the United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific; the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration; the Governor; the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Director of Aerospace Development; the President of the University of Hawaii System; the Superintendent of Education; the Adjutant General; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Aerospace Development; Space Launch and Control Facility; Feasibility Study; Federal Funding Request

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	180
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII