HR 134 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO EVALUATE AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE INITIATION OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN HAWAII AND NEW ZEALAND TO FOSTER STRONGER TIES IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ARTS AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE, EDUCATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY.

This House Resolution (HR 134) urges Hawaii's Sister-State Committee to evaluate and develop recommendations for establishing a formal sister-state relationship between Hawaii and New Zealand. It focuses on strengthening cooperation in economic development, arts/cultural exchange, education, and environmental sustainability, building on shared Polynesian heritage and mutual commitments to indigenous cultures and sustainability. The resolution does not create new laws but requests the committee assess potential collaboration areas and advises the Governor to implement the relationship if recommended. It directly affects Hawaii's state agencies and the Sister-State Committee, encouraging future partnerships with New Zealand.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Mar 27, 2025

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What changed between versions

HR134 → HR134_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill changed from a House Resolution (HR) urging a sister-state relationship to a House Resolution (HD) urging a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Hawaii and New Zealand. The primary substantive change is the shift from establishing a sister-state relationship to creating an MOU, which is a more flexible, less formal agreement that can be developed more quickly without the legal weight of a sister-state designation. The target agency for evaluation also changed from the Hawaii Sister-State Committee to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, reflecting the more practical, business-focused approach of an MOU.

Scope change

The scope shifted from a formal sister-state relationship to a more flexible Memorandum of Understanding, allowing for quicker implementation of cooperation in economic development, arts, education, and environmental sustainability without the legal commitments of a sister-state designation.

SCOPE

Changed the goal from establishing a sister-state relationship to creating a Memorandum of Understanding between Hawaii and New Zealand

REQUIREMENT

Changed the responsible agency from the Hawaii Sister-State Committee to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the recipient of certified copies from the Hawaii Sister-State Committee to the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism

TECHNICAL

Changed document type from House Resolution (HR) to House Resolution (HD) and updated metadata fields

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 27, 2025

Committee

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 1 with Representative(s) Garcia voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Hashem, Hussey, Templo, Ward excused (4).

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Committee

Reported from ECD/CAA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1615) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to FIN.

lower

Mar 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on CAA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Kong, Lee, M., Sayama, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Kapela, Garrett.

lower

Mar 21, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Templo, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Holt, Tam, Todd.

lower

Mar 14, 2025

Committee

Referred to ECD/CAA, FIN, referral sheet 22

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Offered

lower

13 primary · 0 co-sponsors