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Senate committees advance bill to create trade commission aimed at Ireland, members ask for ROI and sister‑state data
Summary
Lawmakers moved HB1391 HD1, creating a trade commission (with Ireland named in testimony as an entry point into Europe). Committees required DBEDT to provide evaluations of sister‑state relationships, commission structure and prior results before further action.
Senate committees on March 13 voted to pass House Bill 1391, House Draft 1, which would create a trade commission intended to cultivate trade ties with countries in Europe, using Ireland as an example in testimony.
DBEDT witnesses said the bill "creates the commission" and that it would be private‑sector driven, requiring business input and volunteers to participate. Committee members repeatedly asked whether Hawaii already maintains sister‑state or sister‑city relationships with European jurisdictions; DBEDT staff said Hawaii has limited sister‑state relationships with European territories (noting the Azores/Portugal example) and that DBEDT would supply a sister‑state report and an evaluation of previous office and commission outcomes.
Senator Kim and other members pressed DBEDT on whether the state has experience operating trade commissions or how a commission structure would differ from existing sister‑state relationships. DBEDT staff said a trade commission would require FTE time, private‑sector involvement, and an application and validation process similar to those used for sister‑state relationships. A member urged DBEDT to include ROI and accomplishment metrics in the post‑hearing report.
The committees adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB1391 HD1 with amendments and a defective date of July 1, 2050; votes included some reservations and several members recorded no votes in committee roll calls. Committee language instructs DBEDT to produce supporting materials and clarifications on structure and likely costs before implementation.
