SR 160 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

ESTABLISHING A SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE OF HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE PREFECTURE OF YAMAGATA, JAPAN.

This Senate Resolution establishes a formal sister-state relationship between the State of Hawaii and Yamagata Prefecture in Japan to strengthen collaboration in trade, tourism, education, and cultural exchange. The resolution outlines specific pilot programs for culinary and agricultural exchanges, culinary tourism showcases, education and workforce development, and sustainable development initiatives. It directs the Governor to work with Japanese officials to create memoranda of understanding that will guide future cooperation in areas like food security, climate resilience, and rural revitalization.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Apr 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 16, 2026 Last action May 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

SR160 → SR160_SD1 · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was updated to reflect a new legislative session (SD1) and revised metadata, including updated dates and sponsor information. Substantively, the resolution was amended to specify that copies be sent to the Consul General in Honolulu rather than Hawaii generally, and a new recipient, the Chairperson of the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission, was added to the distribution list.

Scope change

The scope of the resolution's distribution was expanded to include a specific state commission chairperson and clarified the location of the Japanese consulate.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata including title, sponsor name, dates, and template revision numbers to reflect the new session.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the recipient list for the resolution to specify the Consul General in Honolulu and added the Chairperson of the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission.

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

Apr 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Apr 8, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3555) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Mar 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Mar 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 03-30-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to WLA.

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced

Offered.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors