STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1636-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 181

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.R. No. 181 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL HAWAII GENUINE PROGRESS INDICATOR REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE NO LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS PRIOR TO THE CONVENING OF EACH REGULAR SESSION, BEGINNING WITH THE REGULAR SESSION OF 2027,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit an annual Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator report to the Legislature no later than thirty days prior to the convening of each Regular Session, beginning with the Regular Session of 2027.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee finds that traditional economic metrics fail to capture the full spectrum of social well-being, environmental sustainability, and long-term economic welfare. Your Committee further finds that the Hawaii Genuine Progress Indicator (HI GPI), developed by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, represents a more holistic measure that incorporates economic, social, and environmental indicators to assess the true welfare impacts of economic activity in the State. Your Committee recognizes that the State would benefit from more frequent analysis using the HI GPI. This measure therefore urges the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit to the Legislature and make publicly available an annual HI GPI report, which will enhance legislative understanding of Hawaii's economic welfare and help guide policy development.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 181 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

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GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair