HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1508
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The departments and agencies listed in section 2 of this Act shall provide grants to federal tax-exempt nonprofit organizations to support their organizational mission.

The grants shall be tailored toward improving Native Hawaiian communities and culture through various assistance programs, including but not limited to programs that offer Native Hawaiian historic preservation, business training, entrepreneurship, and mentoring.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $4,000,000 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 to be allocated to the following departments and agencies and used for grants pursuant to section 1 of this Act for the following programs:

(1) The department of business, economic development, and tourism:

(A) The sum of $2,000,000; provided that the sum shall be used for a virtual marketplace that supports local artisans and businesses to adapt to e-commerce; and

(B) The sum of $1,000,000; provided that the sum shall be used for a physical co-working space and an innovation, entrepreneur, and resource center that provides workshops, counseling, loan assistance, and broadband access; and

(2) The department of land and natural resources, the sum of $1,000,000; provided that the sum shall be used for the repatriation and reburials of Native Hawaiians nationally and internationally.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department or agency listed above for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Grants; Native Hawaiian Communities; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for certain departments and agencies to provide grants to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that have experience and expertise in supporting and advancing Native Hawaiian communities.

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