Hawaii House Bill HB603

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/25
• Refer: 1/21/25
• Report Pass: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/4/25

Caption

Relating To Native Hawaiian Business Marketing.

Summary

HB603 appropriates unspecified general funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to convene a working group. The working group would engage stakeholders on the design, implementation, and long-term viability of a Native Hawaiian marketing program intended to promote and support businesses owned by Hawaiians through marketing and technical assistance. The bill also requires OHA to report to the Legislature by 20 days before the 2026 and 2027 regular sessions on the program’s status, including design, implementation, viability, relevant data, and any proposed legislation. The measure is framed as a planning and development bill rather than a direct operating program, with the actual appropriation amount left blank in the text. It also contains a delayed effective date of July 1, 3000, which is commonly used in Hawaii bills as a placeholder to prevent immediate effect unless amended.

Impact

If enacted, HB603 would create a new state-funded planning effort within the Office of Hawaiian Affairs focused on Native Hawaiian business marketing. It would not itself establish a fully operational marketing program, but it would direct OHA to study and develop one, coordinate with stakeholders, and provide legislative reports that could lead to future policy or funding changes. The bill would affect OHA’s duties and use of general revenues, and could indirectly benefit Hawaiian-owned businesses by laying groundwork for marketing and technical assistance support.

Sentiment

No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate or formal support/opposition in the available record. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears generally supportive of Native Hawaiian economic development and business promotion. The absence of discussion and vote history makes it difficult to assess whether the bill was controversial or broadly accepted.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are likely to be the use of general fund appropriations, the creation of a new working group, and whether the state should fund a planning process before a concrete program exists. Some stakeholders may question the effectiveness, cost, or long-term viability of a marketing initiative, while supporters would likely emphasize targeted assistance for Hawaiian-owned businesses and the role of OHA in advancing Native Hawaiian economic interests. Because no transcripts or votes are available, specific objections or proponents cannot be identified from the record provided.