HB 1615 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Summary

Declares that the State is an ocean cluster. Establishes the Office of Marine Affairs within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation for administrative purposes only. Establishes and appropriates funds for the Marine Affairs Coordinator position. Requires the Marine Affairs Coordinator to submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. Transfers the functions of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Marine Affairs to the Office of Marine Affairs. Appropriates funds for the Office of Marine Affairs to procure the services of a consultant to support the marine affairs declaration of intent. Effective 7/1/3050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Last action Mar 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB1615_HD2 → HB1615_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill version updates the legislative metadata to reflect its status as a Senate Draft (SD1) rather than a House Draft (HD2), including revised author names and dates. Substantively, the text contains minor formatting adjustments and clarifications to definitions regarding the 'blue economy' and marine industries, while adding specific provisions to protect employee tenure and benefits during the transfer of functions to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on designating Hawaii as an ocean cluster and transferring marine affairs functions, but the applicability to personnel is clarified to ensure no loss of benefits or seniority during the transition.

TECHNICAL

Updated document metadata including author names, revision numbers, and effective dates from July 1, 3000 to July 1, 3050.

DEFINITION

Refined the definition of the 'blue economy' and specific marine industry sectors to improve clarity and consistency.

ELIGIBILITY

Added detailed protections ensuring that officers and employees with tenure retain their salary, seniority, and benefits when transferred to new roles.

REQUIREMENT

Included specific requirements for how non-tenured employees are handled during the transfer to civil service positions.

HB1615 → HB1615_HD1 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill was significantly rewritten to shift focus from a generic 'blue economy' strategy to a specific 'ocean cluster' designation. It establishes a new Office of Marine Affairs within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, creates a new Marine Affairs Coordinator position, and transfers the functions of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Marine Affairs to this new office. The bill also repeals existing duties assigned to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism regarding marine affairs and sets a future effective date of July 1, 3000.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general technology development mandate to a comprehensive marine affairs framework. It transferred authority from the Governor's Advisory Committee and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to the newly created Office of Marine Affairs within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation.

SCOPE

Added a formal declaration that the State of Hawaii is an 'ocean cluster' to promote economic growth and innovation in marine industries.

REQUIREMENT

Established a new 'Office of Marine Affairs' within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to coordinate marine industry development.

Created a new 'Marine Affairs Coordinator' position with specific duties to develop strategies, analyze programs, and submit annual reports.

Transferred the functions of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Marine Affairs to the new Office of Marine Affairs.

Repealed the specific powers and duties previously assigned to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism regarding marine affairs.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the Act to July 1, 3000, indicating a placeholder or future-dated implementation.

FISCAL

Modified appropriation sections to fund the new Marine Affairs Coordinator position and a consultant for the declaration of intent, while leaving specific dollar amounts and FTE counts blank for future legislative action.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Committee

Reported from EDT/AEN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3308) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

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, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga, Kim.

upper

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in AEN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards, DeCoite, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on EDT/AEN has scheduled a public hearing on 03-25-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to EDT/AEN, WAM.

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 251).

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Iwamoto, Poepoe voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia voting no (2) and Representative(s) Pierick excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Mar 2, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. 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.

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Committee

Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 291-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

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; Noes: none; and Excused: none.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to ECD, FIN, referral sheet 1

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 16, 2026

Introduced

Prefiled.