Hawaii-2024-SB1482-Amended

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the aerospace and aeronautics fields have played a pivotal role in expanding and diversifying the national economy by forging new inroads to scientific discovery, advancing national engineering and manufacturing expertise, pioneering innovations in communications and computer technologies, enhancing surveillance of our home planet, and enabling a better understanding of weather systems and climate change. Today, the aerospace and aeronautics industries hold great potential to enable future innovation in science and technology. Hawaii's strategic near‑equatorial location, substantial telemetry, accessible space surveillance, Moon- and Mars-like terrain, resident expertise in a broad range of aerospace- and aeronautic-related technologies, and long-standing ties with space-faring nations throughout the Asia-Pacific region are strategic assets and capabilities. These can be leveraged to help realize humankind's full potential in space and to establish the State as a major contributor to, and beneficiary of, global space enterprise. Historically, Hawaii has played a seminal role in developing the nation's space program through astronaut training and the development of world-class observatories. Today, Hawaii continues to support national space efforts through a wide range of aerospace-related activities on all major islands, including the Mauna Kea science reserve on the island of Hawaii, the Air Force Maui optical and supercomputing observatory on the island of Maui, the University of Hawaii's institute for astronomy and Hawaii institute for geophysics and planetology on the island of Oahu, and the Pacific missile range facility on the island of Kauai.

The legislature further finds that establishing the Hawaii aerospace and aeronautics development program will provide a focal point within the state government to facilitate dialogue and coordination among Hawaii's public, private, and academic sectors, and between state-based entities and public and private overseas organizations, and to promote the growth and diversification of Hawaii's aerospace and aeronautics industries. By establishing the aerospace and aeronautics development program, the State can more efficiently direct its resources to address the needs of the aerospace and aeronautics fields.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the aerospace and aeronautics development program within the Hawaii technology development corporation.

SECTION 2. Chapter 206M, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part . aerospace AND AERONAUTICS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

§206M- Definitions. As used in this part:

"Director" means the director of the aerospace and aeronautics development program.

"Program" means the aerospace and aeronautics development program.

§206M- Aerospace and aeronautics development program; establishment. (a) There is established an aerospace and aeronautics development program within the Hawaii technology development corporation.

(b) The director shall have experience, knowledge, and expertise in space-related activities and development. The director shall be nominated and appointed by the governor without regard to chapter 76.

(d) The director and employees of the program shall be included in any benefit program generally applicable to the officers and employees of the State.

§206M- Director; powers and duties. In addition to any other powers and duties provided in this part, the director shall:

(1) Oversee, supervise, and direct the planning, evaluation, and coordination of space-related activities and identify and promote opportunities for expanding and diversifying aerospace-related industries in the State, including:

(A) Applied optics;

(B) Astronomy and astrophysics;

(D) Dual-use technology;

(E) Environmental monitoring;

(F) Meteorology;

(G) Remote sensing; and

(H) Robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones, satellite communications, and commercial space launch;

(2) Initiate discussions for private and international involvement in space-related activities in the State;

(3) Serve as a catalyst in forging partnerships between the University of Hawaii and businesses in the State to:

(A) Improve the relevance and quality of university training to support the growth and diversification of Hawaii's aerospace industry;

(B) Identify entrepreneurial opportunities to commercialize basic research; and

(C) Facilitate the transfer of technology from the University of Hawaii to the private sector to expedite commercialization;

(4) Assist the University of Hawaii, local companies, research institutions, and other stakeholders in establishing partnerships with corporate, government, and university entities overseas that can promote and enhance the State's aerospace industry;

(5) Leverage aerospace and related technological capabilities in the State's academic, public, and private sectors to enhance the State's ability to procure federal and private research and development grants, and to increase the State's competitiveness in national and global aerospace markets;

(6) Promote innovative education and workforce development programs that will enhance public awareness of the State's aerospace potential and enable residents to pursue employment in Hawaii's aerospace industry;

(7) Monitor national and global trends in the aerospace industry and recommend programs and policies to support aerospace industry development statewide;

(8) Serve as a central point of contact to respond to inquiries from inside and outside the State concerning Hawaii's aerospace-related interests and activities;

(9) Review the effectiveness of present publications, pamphlets, and other sources of information produced and distributed by the State about Hawaii's space-related activities;

(10) Serve as a clearinghouse for information on Hawaii's space-related activities, including the activities of the University of Hawaii and federal agencies located in Hawaii;

(11) Target existing businesses that can provide important products or services to the space industry to support the expansion of space-related businesses in Hawaii;

(12) Increase and maintain contact with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and other federal agencies and facilities;

(13) Institute procedures by which citizens can offer input on proposed space facilities development at the earliest possible point in the development process;

(14) Adopt, amend, and repeal rules, pursuant to chapter 91, as necessary to carry out this part;

(15) Contract for services as necessary for the purposes of this part; and

(16) Do all other things necessary to carry out the purposes of this part.

§206M- Space vehicles; prohibitions. The program shall not authorize or facilitate the launching into space from the State's land or ocean territory any vehicle that carries weapons of destruction or nuclear waste materials, or that uses radioactive materials as a power source."

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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the establishment of the aerospace and aeronautics development program within the Hawaii technology development corporation.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii technology development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1482
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII