STAND. COM. REP. NO. 615-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1904

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1904 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SPACE OPERATIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Hawaii Orbital Sustainability and Space Traffic Board and orbital tracking and traffic management system within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism;

(2) Establish registration and compliance standards for aerospace activities in state airspace;

(3) Authorize the awarding of research, education, and workforce development grants;

(4) Require all aerospace operations and projects to comply with the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act, Historic Preservation Program requirements, and debris mitigation standards and requirements and respect Native Hawaiian cultural sites; and

(5) Appropriate funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for these purposes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the rapid growth of satellite launches and orbital debris has increased risks to space operations, public safety, and long‑term orbital sustainability. Your Committee further finds that establishing a coordinated state framework for tracking orbital activity, regulating operators, and supporting research and workforce development will help ensure that Hawaii advances its aerospace sector responsibly while protecting environmental and cultural resources.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $5,000,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1904, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1904, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,

____________________________

GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair