SR 155: prioritizing efforts to protect hawaii's critical infrastructure from foreign influence.

SENATE RESOLUTION

prioritizing efforts to protect hawaii's critical infrastructure from foreign influence.

     WHEREAS, numerous federal agencies responsible for national security have demonstrated that foreign governments and stakeholders are actively seeking to establish influence and control over critical infrastructure systems in states across the country, including communications, water, food, energy, and related services; and

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's geographic isolation and reliance on imported goods, materials, and technologies create unique vulnerabilities for these critical infrastructure systems in the State; and

     WHEREAS, recent disruption to global supply chains have highlighted the risks associated with dependence on imports, including food, energy, and overseas production of essential infrastructure components that may be influenced by foreign governments, stakeholders, and events; and

     WHEREAS, the most recent example of the risks of dependency on supply chains outside Hawaii's control is the State's current reliance on imported fuels, which for decades has exposed state energy infrastructure to supply and price shocks based on the dictates of monopolistic suppliers, instabilities in foreign markets, and global events outside of the State's control; and

     WHEREAS, the recent war in Iran has triggered the latest giant spike in global natural gas and oil prices, with Hawaii's main utility now anticipating an increase of twenty to thirty percent to typical residential electric bills, imposing a sudden, painful burden on families and the state economy; and

     WHEREAS, many technologies and materials used in critical infrastructure systems are produced outside the United States, including jurisdictions whose strategic interests may not align with those of the United States; and

     WHEREAS, reliance on imports through global supply chains may expose the State's critical systems to risks involving supply disruptions, price manipulation, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and other forms of economic or strategic pressure; and

     WHEREAS, the State has an interest in maintaining local control over its critical utility infrastructure and supply chains; and

     WHEREAS, strengthening critical infrastructure, eliminating dependence on imported goods and supplies, and avoiding foreign control over local infrastructure systems and supply chains will enhance the State's resilience in times of economic disruption, natural disaster, or geopolitical instability; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the State is encouraged to prioritize the security, self-sufficiency, resilience, reliability, and local control of critical infrastructure systems and supply chains, and protect them from foreign influence and control; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies are requested to prioritize security for critical infrastructure; rapidly accelerate efforts to eliminate the State's dependence on imported food, energy, and other necessities as quickly as possible; and minimize the State's exposure to the volatility, risk, and impacts of foreign influence and events; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies, including the Public Utilities Commission, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, and others who have significant authority over critical infrastructure and supply chains for food, energy, and similar dependencies, are requested to minimize foreign influence and prioritize the State's resilience, security, and local control of critical infrastructure and supply chains in all plans, projects, programs, and decisions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Director of Transportation; Adjutant General; Administrator of Emergency Management; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Executive Officer of the Public Utilities Commission; Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity; and Chief Information Officer of the Office of Enterprise Technology Services.

Report Title: 

Critical Infrastructure; Foreign Influence; Stability

SENATE RESOLUTION

prioritizing efforts to protect hawaii's critical infrastructure from foreign influence.

     WHEREAS, numerous federal agencies responsible for national security have demonstrated that foreign governments and stakeholders are actively seeking to establish influence and control over critical infrastructure systems in states across the country, including communications, water, food, energy, and related services; and

     WHEREAS, the State's geographic isolation and reliance on imported goods, materials, and technologies create unique vulnerabilities within these critical infrastructure systems; and

     WHEREAS, recent disruption to global supply chains have highlighted the risks associated with dependence on imports, including food, energy, and overseas production of essential infrastructure components that may be influenced by foreign governments, stakeholders, and events; and

     WHEREAS, many technologies and materials used in critical infrastructure systems are produced outside the United States, including jurisdictions whose strategic interest may not align with those of the United States; and

     WHEREAS, reliance on imports through global supply chains may expose the State's critical systems to risks involving supply disruptions, price manipulation, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and other forms of economic or strategic pressure; and

     WHEREAS, strengthening critical infrastructure and eliminating dependence on imported goods and supplies will enhance the State's resilience in times of economic disruption, natural disaster, or geopolitical instability; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the State is encouraged to prioritize the security, resilience, and reliability of critical infrastructure systems; protect these systems from foreign influence; and accelerate efforts to eliminate the State's dependence on imports; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies are requested to prioritize security for critical infrastructure and eliminate the State's dependence on imported food, energy, and other commodities as quickly as possible, and minimize the State's exposure to the volatility, risk, and impacts of foreign influence and events; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that state agencies are requested to prioritize and consider the State's resilience and security of critical infrastructure in all plans, projects, programs, and decisions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Director of Transportation; Adjutant General; Administrator of Emergency Management; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Executive Officer of the Public Utilities Commission; and Chief Information Officer of the Office of Enterprise Technology Services.

Report Title: 

Critical Infrastructure; Foreign Influence; Stability