HR 201 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE STATE OF HAWAII TO CONSIDER IMPORT SUBSTITUTION AS A KEY STRATEGY FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DIVERSIFICATION.

This non-binding House Resolution (HR 201) requests the State of Hawaii to consider import substitution as a strategy for economic growth. It urges state agencies - including the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Agriculture; and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation - to identify sectors where local production could replace imported goods (such as food, energy, and technology components). The resolution cites historical examples from Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to highlight how strategic government support for domestic industries can build economic resilience, but does not mandate new policies or funding. It focuses on encouraging state agencies to study and prioritize local production opportunities.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Mar 28, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HR201 → HR201_HD1 · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was reformatted from a traditional legislative document to a Word document template, but the substantive content was significantly expanded. The original version contained 19 'WHEREAS' clauses and 3 'RESOLVED' clauses, while the new version contains 16 'WHEREAS' clauses and 8 'RESOLVED' clauses. The new version adds specific policy directives for agencies to propose incentives, examine historical precedents, and avoid new import dependencies like fossil fuels. It also adds a reporting deadline and expands the list of recipients for the final report.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include more specific policy directives for state agencies, a new requirement to avoid new import dependencies (specifically fossil fuels), and a formal reporting deadline. The applicability remains the same (State of Hawaii agencies), but the required actions are more detailed.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific policy directives requiring agencies to propose incentives, examine historical precedents, and collaborate with private industry.

Added a requirement to avoid and prevent new import dependencies, specifically mentioning fossil fuels like liquefied natural gas.

Added a requirement for agencies to leverage monopsony powers to substitute existing imports.

Expanded the list of recipients for the final report to include the Governor, various agency heads, and county mayors.

TIMELINE

Added a specific deadline for agencies to submit a joint report (20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026).

TECHNICAL

Changed the document format from a traditional legislative text to a Word document template with metadata headers.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Resolution adopted in final form.

lower

Mar 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Adopted as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Hussey, Muraoka, Ward excused (4).

lower

Mar 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1703) as amended in HD 1, recommending adoption.

lower

Mar 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Tam, Templo, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Holt, Todd.

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Committee

Referred to ECD, referral sheet 22

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Offered

lower

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors