HB 2411: DBEDT; Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-23
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-03-24: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill creates a Hawaii Employer‑Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund in the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to provide steady money for employer‑led industry partnerships and workforce training. The department may use the fund for things like curriculum and credential development, internships and apprenticeships, technical help, data and evaluation, and modest support for employer partners, and must coordinate its sector partnership work with the Workforce Development Council.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Workforce Development Council. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)
Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Workforce Development Council. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Workforce Development Council.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2411 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
S.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's long‑term economic competitiveness depends on a skilled, adaptable, and locally trained workforce aligned with the needs of the State's priority growth industries. Employer‑led, demand‑driven sector partnerships are nationally recognized for aligning education, training, and workforce systems with real‑time industry needs and strengthening workforce readiness.
The legislature further finds that sector partnerships in Hawaii began in 2017, when The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, in partnership with the university of Hawaii and philanthropic funders, launched an employer‑driven model to address skill gaps, workforce shortages, and misalignment between employers and education and training systems. Since then, Hawaii's sector partnerships have grown into seven active, employer‑led industry collaboratives that convene employers, industry associations, education and training providers, workforce agencies, and community partners to identify real‑time skill needs, define in‑demand occupations, and advance industry‑informed workforce solutions.
The legislature also finds that the State has recently invested in jobseeker‑focused workforce programs, including internship and placement initiatives that help individuals gain work experience and employment. These programs are important but differ from employer‑led sector partnerships, which organize employer engagement, assess workforce needs, and align education and training systems with actual labor‑market demand.
The legislature additionally finds that sector partnerships strengthen the workforce ecosystem by improving employer participation, ensuring programs reflect industry needs, and supporting worker retention and advancement—not only initial job placement. Effective sector partnerships also generate fiscal and economic benefits by reducing reliance on out‑of‑state recruitment, improving retention of local workers, leveraging private and federal funding, and strengthening local talent pipelines.
Furthermore, the legislature finds that these coordination and alignment activities are ongoing and cannot be effectively supported through one‑time or episodic general fund appropriations.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish within the department of business, economic development, and tourism a Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund to provide stable and diversified funding for employer-led, demand-driven sector partnerships aligned with the State's economic priorities.
SECTION 2. Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§201-A Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund. (a) There is established within the state treasury the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund to be administered by the department. The special fund shall consist of:
(1) Moneys appropriated by the legislature;
(2) Federal funds and reimbursements;
(3) Grants, gifts, donations, and private contributions; and
(4) Any other moneys received for the purposes of this section.
(b) Moneys in the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund shall be used to support employer-led, demand‑driven sector partnerships, including but not limited to:
(1) Funding employer-led sector partnership activities and workforce pipeline development;
(2) Supporting curriculum development, credentialing, internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning aligned with industry demand;
(3) Providing technical assistance, convening support, and capacity building to industry-driven partnerships and intermediaries;
(4) Data collection, labor-market analysis, performance measurement, and evaluation;
(5) Leveraging federal or private matching funds; and
(6) Supporting industry and employer partners that assist in convening sector partnerships, including stipends, coordination support, meeting facilitation, or other modest resources necessary to engage employers and advance sector-specific workforce initiatives.
(c) Moneys in the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund may be expended directly by the department or through contracts, grants, or memoranda of understanding with public or private entities, including chambers of commerce, industry associations, employer organizations, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and educational institutions, to carry out the purposes of this section.
(d) The department shall enter into memoranda of understanding, contracts, or grants with public or private entities, including chambers of commerce, industry associations, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and educational institutions, to carry out the purposes of this section.
(e) The department may coordinate with the following to ensure alignment with statewide plans and to avoid duplication of workforce service delivery:
(1) The department of labor and industrial relations;
(2) The department of education;
(3) The workforce development council;
(4) The university of Hawaii system; and
(5) Any other state agency.
(f) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, the department shall submit an annual report to the legislature that includes:
(1) Expenditures from the fund;
(2) Outcomes of sector partnership activities; and
(3) Performance measures demonstrating progress in workforce alignment with priority industries.
§201-B United state plan; sector partnerships. The department shall coordinate its sector partnership activities with the workforce development council established pursuant to section 202-1 to ensure alignment with the State's unified state plan required under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Public Law 113-128, and prevent duplication of workforce training and employment services while retaining administrative responsibility for the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund established pursuant to section 201-A."
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 2026-2027 to be deposited into the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purposes of the special fund.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.
SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3050.
Report Title:
DBEDT; Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Workforce Development Council. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2411 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's long‑term economic competitiveness depends on a skilled, adaptable, and locally trained workforce aligned with the needs of the State's priority growth industries. Employer‑led, demand‑driven sector partnerships are nationally recognized for aligning education, training, and workforce systems with real‑time industry needs and strengthening workforce readiness.
The legislature further finds that sector partnerships in Hawaii began in 2017, when the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, in partnership with the university of Hawaii and philanthropic funders, launched an employer‑driven model to address skills gaps, workforce shortages, and misalignment between employers and education and training systems. Since then, Hawaii's sector partnerships have grown into six active, employer‑led industry collaboratives that convene employers, industry associations, education and training providers, workforce agencies, and community partners to identify real‑time skill needs, define in‑demand occupations, and advance industry‑informed workforce solutions.
The legislature also finds that the State has recently invested in jobseeker‑focused workforce programs, including internship and placement initiatives that help individuals gain work experience and employment. These programs are important but differ from employer‑led sector partnerships, which organize employer engagement, assess workforce needs, and align education and training systems with actual labor‑market demand.
The legislature additionally finds that sector partnerships strengthen the workforce ecosystem by improving employer participation, ensuring programs reflect industry needs, and supporting worker retention and advancement—not only initial job placement. Effective sector partnerships also generate fiscal and economic benefits by reducing reliance on out‑of‑state recruitment, improving retention of local workers, leveraging private and federal funding, and strengthening local talent pipelines.
Furthermore, the legislature finds that these coordination and alignment activities are ongoing and cannot be effectively supported through one‑time or episodic general‑fund appropriations.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish within the department of business, economic development, and tourism a Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund to provide stable and diversified funding for employer-led, demand-driven sector partnerships aligned with the State's economic priorities.
SECTION 2. Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§201-A Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund. (a) There is established within the state treasury the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund to be administered by the department. The special fund shall consist of:
(1) Moneys appropriated by the legislature;
(2) Federal funds and reimbursements;
(3) Grants, gifts, donations, and private contributions; and
(4) Any other moneys received for the purposes of this section.
(b) Moneys in the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund shall be used to support employer-led, demand‑driven sector partnerships, including but not limited to:
(1) Funding employer-led sector partnership activities and workforce pipeline development;
(2) Supporting curriculum development, credentialing, internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning aligned with industry demand;
(3) Providing technical assistance, convening support, and capacity building to industry-driven partnerships and intermediaries;
(4) Data collection, labor-market analysis, performance measurement, and evaluation;
(5) Leveraging federal or private matching funds; and
(6) Supporting industry and employer partners that assist in convening sector partnerships, including stipends, coordination support, meeting facilitation, or other modest resources necessary to engage employers and advance sector-specific workforce initiatives.
(c) Moneys in the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund may be expended directly by the department or through contracts, grants, or memoranda of understanding with public or private entities, including chambers of commerce, industry associations, employer organizations, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and educational institutions, to carry out the purposes of this section.
(d) The department shall enter into memoranda of understanding, contracts, or grants with public or private entities, including chambers of commerce, industry associations, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and educational institutions, to carry out the purposes of this section.
(e) The department may coordinate with the following to ensure alignment with statewide plans and to avoid duplication of workforce service delivery:
(1) The department of labor and industrial relations;
(2) The department of education;
(3) The workforce development council;
(4) The university of Hawaii system; and
(5) Any other state agency.
(f) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, the department shall submit an annual report to the legislature that includes:
(1) Expenditures from the fund;
(2) Outcomes of sector partnership activities; and
(3) Performance measures demonstrating progress in workforce alignment with priority industries.
§201-B United workforce plan; sector partnerships. The department shall coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Hawaii workforce development council established under chapter 202 to ensure alignment with the State's unified workforce plan and prevent duplication of workforce training and employment services while retaining administrative responsibility for the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund under section 201-A."
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 2026-2027 to be deposited into the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purposes of the special fund.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.
SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
DBEDT; Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Workforce Development Council. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2411 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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|
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the department of business, economic development, and tourism.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's long‑term economic competitiveness depends on a skilled, adaptable, and locally trained workforce aligned with the needs of the State's priority growth industries. Employer‑led, demand‑driven sector partnerships are nationally recognized for aligning education, training, and workforce systems with real‑time industry needs and strengthening workforce readiness.
The legislature further finds that sector partnerships in Hawaii began in 2017, when the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, in partnership with the university of Hawaii and philanthropic funders, launched an employer‑driven model to address skills gaps, workforce shortages, and misalignment between employers and education and training systems. Since then, Hawaii's sector partnerships have grown into six active, employer‑led industry collaboratives that convene employers, industry associations, education and training providers, workforce agencies, and community partners to identify real‑time skill needs, define in‑demand occupations, and advance industry‑informed workforce solutions.
The legislature also finds that the State has recently invested in jobseeker‑focused workforce programs, including internship and placement initiatives that help individuals gain work experience and employment. These programs are important but differ from employer‑led sector partnerships, which organize employer engagement, assess workforce needs, and align education and training systems with actual labor‑market demand.
The legislature additionally finds that sector partnerships strengthen the workforce ecosystem by improving employer participation, ensuring programs reflect industry needs, and supporting worker retention and advancement—not only initial job placement. Effective sector partnerships also generate fiscal and economic benefits by reducing reliance on out‑of‑state recruitment, improving retention of local workers, leveraging private and federal funding, and strengthening local talent pipelines.
Furthermore, the legislature finds that these coordination and alignment activities are ongoing and cannot be effectively supported through one‑time or episodic general‑fund appropriations.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish within the department of business, economic development, and tourism a Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund to provide stable and diversified funding for employer-led, demand-driven sector partnerships aligned with the State's economic priorities.
SECTION 2. Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new sections to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§201-A Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund. (a) There is established within the state treasury the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund to be administered by the department. The special fund shall consist of:
(1) Moneys appropriated by the legislature;
(2) Federal funds and reimbursements;
(3) Grants, gifts, donations, and private contributions; and
(4) Any other moneys received for the purposes of this section.
(b) Moneys in the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund shall be used to support employer-led, demand‑driven sector partnerships, including but not limited to:
(1) Funding employer-led sector partnership activities and workforce pipeline development;
(2) Supporting curriculum development, credentialing, internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning aligned with industry demand;
(3) Providing technical assistance, convening support, and capacity building to industry-driven partnerships and intermediaries;
(4) Data collection, labor-market analysis, performance measurement, and evaluation;
(5) Leveraging federal or private matching funds; and
(6) Supporting industry and employer partners that assist in convening sector partnerships, including stipends, coordination support, meeting facilitation, or other modest resources necessary to engage employers and advance sector-specific workforce initiatives.
(c) Moneys in the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special may be expended directly by the department or through contracts, grants, or memoranda of understanding with public or private entities, including chambers of commerce, industry associations, employer organizations, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and educational institutions, to carry out the purposes of this section.
(d) The department shall enter into memoranda of understanding, contracts, or grants with public or private entities, including chambers of commerce, industry associations, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, and educational institutions, to carry out the purposes of this section.
(e) The department may coordinate with the following to ensure alignment with statewide plans and to avoid duplication of workforce service delivery:
(1) The department of labor and industrial relations;
(2) The department of education;
(3) The workforce development council;
(4) The university of Hawaii system; and
(5) Any other state agency.
(f) No later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, the department shall submit an annual report to the legislature that includes:
(1) Expenditures from the fund;
(2) Outcomes of sector partnership activities; and
(3) Performance measures demonstrating progress in workforce alignment with priority industries.
§201-B United workforce plan; sector partnerships. The department shall coordinate its sector partnership activities with the workforce development council established under chapter 202 to ensure alignment with the State's unified workforce plan and prevent duplication of workforce training and employment services while retaining administrative responsibility for the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund under section 201-A."
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 2026-2027 to be deposited into the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the Hawaii employer-led sector partnerships special fund the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purposes of the special fund.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.
SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
DBEDT; Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes and appropriates funds into and out of the Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund. Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Workforce Development Council.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Mar 24, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Mar 24, 2026 | Reported from EDT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3144) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDT were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Wakai, Fukunaga; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kim, Fevella. |
| Mar 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on EDT has scheduled a public hearing on 03-17-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Referred to EDT, WAM. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 105). |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Iwamoto, Pierick voting no (3) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 771-26), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Mar 2, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none. |
| Feb 27, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Monday, 03-02-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Re-referred to ECD, FIN, referral sheet 14 |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on LAB with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0). |
| Feb 12, 2026 | Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 255-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to LAB. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 6, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Wednesday, 02-11-26 8:30AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 2, 2026 | Referred to ECD, LAB, FIN, referral sheet 6 |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 27, 2026 | Pending introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development and Tourism |
Passed |
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| Mar 5, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Mar 2, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
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| Feb 11, 2026 | The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
|
|---|---|---|
| AE Consulting | *** Support | Mar 3, 2026 |
| AE Consulting LLC | ** Support | |
| Blue Startups | ** Support | |
| Blue Startups | *** Support | Feb 11, 2026 |
| Chamber of Commerce Hawaii | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Hawaii Medical College | ** Support | |
| Hawaiian Electric | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Hawai‘i Island Chamber of Commerce | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260 | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Kohala Coast Resort Association | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Kupu | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Makai Ocean Engineering, Inc. | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Maui Chamber of Commerce | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Mobile IT Force | ** Support | |
| Mobile IT Force | *** Support | Feb 11, 2026 |
| OM Venture Capital | ** Support | |
| OM Venture Capital | *** Support | Feb 11, 2026 |
| Photonworks Engineering | ** Support | |
| Photonworks Engineering LLP | *** Support | Feb 11, 2026 |
| Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi | ** Support | |
| Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| SACK DEFENSE LLC | *** Support | Mar 3, 2026 |
| Simonpietri Enterprises LLC | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| The Maritime Group | ** Support | |
| The Maritime Group | *** Support | Feb 11, 2026 |
| University of Hawaiʻi System | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| UXHI | *** Support | Feb 11, 2026 |
| Watanabe Floral, Inc. | *** Support | Mar 3, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 771-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 2411
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2411, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Establish and appropriate funds into and out of the Hawaii Employer-led Sector Partnerships Special Fund to provide stable and diversified funding for employer-led, demand-driven sector partnerships aligned with the State's economic priorities; and
(2) Require the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Workforce Development Council.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawaii Medical College; Hawaiian Electric; Retail Merchants of Hawaiʻi; IBEW Local 1260; Simonpietri Enterprises LLC; Kohala Coast Resort Association; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2411, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,
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____________________________ CHRIS TODD, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 255-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 2411
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2411 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Establish and appropriate funds into and out of the Hawaii Employer-Led Sector Partnerships Special Fund to provide stable and diversified funding for employer-led, demand-driven sector partnerships aligned with the State's economic priorities; and
(2) Require the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to coordinate its sector partnership activities with the Workforce Development Council.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Kohala Coast Resort Association; Blue Startups; OM Venture Capital; Photonworks Engineering; The Maritime Group; Mobile IT Force; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; AE Consulting LLC; and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
Your Committee finds that employer-led, demand-driven sector partnerships align education, training, and workforce systems with real-time industry needs and strengthen workforce readiness. Your Committee further finds that sector partnerships help the workforce ecosystem by improving employer participation, ensuring programs reflect industry needs, and supporting worker retention and advancement. Your Committee also finds that establishing a dedicated funding source within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism will provide stable support for these ongoing coordination activities and better align workforce investments with the State's economic development priorities.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $700,000.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2411, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2411, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Labor.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,
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____________________________ GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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|---|---|
| Mar 17, 2026 | HB2411_HD1_TESTIMONY_EDT_03-17-26_.PDF |
| Mar 3, 2026 | HB2411_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_03-02-26_.PDF |
| Feb 11, 2026 | HB2411_TESTIMONY_ECD_02-11-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
3MIN
House Standing Committee on Finance
18MIN
House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Economic Development & Technology
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):