HB 2141 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.

Summary

Increases the number of enterprise zones that may be nominated by each county. Authorizes enterprise zone designation for census tracts that contain the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Allow businesses not established in an enterprise zone to qualify for enterprise zone benefits; provided that they have entered into a binding collaboration or contract with a business that is established in the census tract that contains the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine or the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 26, 2026 Last action Mar 2, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB2141_HD1 → HB2141_HD2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands Hawaii's Enterprise Zone program to specifically target the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center. It allows these specific locations to be designated as enterprise zones regardless of whether they meet traditional poverty or unemployment criteria. Additionally, it creates a new category for 'affiliated collaborators,' enabling businesses outside the zone to qualify for tax benefits if they have a binding contract with a business inside the zone.

Scope change

The bill changes the scope from a general expansion of eligible business activities to a targeted initiative focused on the health innovation and biotechnology sectors. It also expands eligibility to include businesses that are not physically located within an enterprise zone but are economically linked to them through formal agreements.

SCOPE

Added specific authorization for the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine and the University of Hawaii Cancer Center to be designated as enterprise zones.

ELIGIBILITY

Created a new eligibility category for 'affiliated collaborators,' allowing businesses outside the zone to receive tax benefits if they have a binding agreement with a qualified business inside the zone.

Modified the criteria for zone designation to allow areas containing the specified medical centers to qualify even if they do not meet standard poverty or unemployment thresholds.

DEFINITION

Added a new legal definition for 'affiliated collaborator' to establish the rules for businesses partnering with zone-based entities.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the list of eligible business activities to explicitly include medical and health care services alongside biotechnology and other sectors.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from HED (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 614-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on HED recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Garrett, Amato, Evslin, Kapela, Kila, La Chica, Olds, Woodson, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 258-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to HED.

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Holt, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to ECD, HED, FIN, referral sheet 7

lower

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to HED, ECD, FIN, referral sheet 5

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

17 primary · 0 co-sponsors