All Roll Calls
Yes: 224 • No: 6
HawaiiSB 29072025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)SenateWALLET
RELATING TO MARINE AFFAIRS.
Sponsored By: Glenn Wakai (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Declares that the State is an ocean cluster. Establishes the Office of Marine Affairs and Marine Affairs Governing Board within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Establishes and appropriates funds for the Marine Affairs Coordinator position. Repeals the powers and duties of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism over marine affairs. Transfers the employees and functions of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Marine Affairs to the Office of Marine Affairs. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)
DBEDTHawaii Technology Development CorporationOcean ClusterOffice of Marine AffairsMarine Affairs Governing BoardMarine Affairs CoordinatorReportsTransferECD, WAL, FIN
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Transferred state workers keep protections
Starting July 1, 2026, state employees moved because of the marine-affairs reorganization keep their salary, seniority, service credit, leave, and other benefits. Eligible employees may move into civil-service positions without an exam if they meet the job's minimum qualifications. Tenured employees whose positions are abolished must remain in state employment at the same pay and classification and be transferred to a position for which they qualify under state personnel laws.
Hawaii coordinates marine industry growth
Starting July 1, 2026, Hawaii establishes an Office of Marine Affairs within the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. The office develops a statewide plan for marine research, conservation, coastal resilience, and ocean-related industries. It also assesses industry needs, supports technology projects, and seeks public and private funding. A board includes state, University of Hawaii, and marine-business representatives; its members serve four-year terms without pay but may receive expense reimbursement. The governor appoints a coordinator, whose salary is set by the business development director and who receives state employee benefits. The coordinator reports each year by December 1. Marine-affairs work and related resources move to the new office, and current committee members serve on the board until new appointments are made.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Glenn Wakai
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Stanley Chang
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 46 • No: 4
Senate vote • 5/1/2026
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....
Yes: 2 • No: 0
House vote • 5/1/2026
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 4/14/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 49 • No: 1
House vote • 4/7/2026
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 16 • No: 0
House vote • 3/24/2026
The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 8 • No: 0
House vote • 3/20/2026
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on WAL...
Yes: 48 • No: 1
House vote • 3/18/2026
The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/10/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2026
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/13/2026
The committee(s) on EDT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 3 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/13/2026
The committee(s) on AEN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act 186, 07/06/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1288).
7/6/2026SenateAct 186, on 07/06/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1288).
7/6/2026HouseReceived notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
5/8/2026SenateEnrolled to Governor.
5/8/2026SenatePassed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
5/6/2026SenatePassed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Cochran, Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Perruso, Pierick, Poepoe voting no (4) and Representative(s) Alcos excused (1).
5/6/2026HouseReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
5/6/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 11:30AM in Conference Room 411.
5/1/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 05-01-26 at 4:31PM in Conference Room 411.
5/1/2026HouseConference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:37 PM; Conference Room 329.
5/1/2026SenateConference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 5:40 PM; Conference Room 309.
5/1/2026SenateThe Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) DeCoite, Kanuha; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.
5/1/2026SenateThe Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Hashem.
5/1/2026HouseReported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 226-26).
5/1/2026Senate48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
5/1/2026SenateReported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 226-26) as amended in (CD 1).
5/1/2026HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
5/1/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 8:01AM in conference room 411.
4/30/2026HouseBill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Thursday, 04-30-26 8:30AM in conference room 411.
4/28/2026HouseSenate Conferees Appointed: DeCoite Chair; Gabbard, Kanuha Co-Chairs.
4/27/2026SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 783).
4/27/2026HouseReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 811).
4/23/2026SenateHouse Conferees Appointed: Ilagan, Hashem, Hussey Co-Chairs; Gedeon.
4/22/2026HouseReceived from House (Hse. Com. No. 713).
4/16/2026SenateSenate disagrees with House amendments.
4/16/2026Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
Original
SB2907_CD1
SB2907_HD1
SB2907_HD2
SB2907_HD3
SB2907_SD1
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