Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB1442: Relating to Office of Entrepreneurship.
Status: Failed, December 8, 2025
Establishes the office of entrepreneurship. Authorizes the use of the Hawaii film and creative industries development special fund for a partnership program with the office. Appropriates funds.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to office of entrepreneurship.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OFFICE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that entrepreneurship is vital to the State's economic innovation. Recent data evaluated an uptick in the rate of entrepreneurship. In 2020, 4.1 out of every one thousand adults became entrepreneurs in a given month. However, high fees, complicated requirements, and delayed permitting create barriers to starting a new business in the State. According to the 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics study, fifty per cent of Hawaii businesses close within the first six years. Over twenty--five per cent of businesses in Hawaii failed in their first year. This is the .highest first-year failure rate in the nation. The purpose of this Act is to establish the office of entrepreneurship and authorize the use of the Hawaii film and creative industries development special fund to fund a program in partnership with the office that creates opportunities in 2025--1473 HB1442 HD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ I film, media, electronic sports, and creative industries for new businesses. SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "CHAPTER OFFICE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP § -1 Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter: "Business" means any corporation, partnership, company, cooperative, sole proprietorship, or other legal entity organized or operating for …
Sponsors
- Lauren Matsumoto (R, 38) · primary sponsor
- Elle Cochran (D, 14)
- Diamond Garcia (R, 42)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Sam Kong (D, HD-033)
- Christopher Muraoka (R, 45)
- Elijah Pierick (R, 39)
- Shirley Ann Templo (D, 30)
- Gene Ward (R)
- Justin Woodson (D, 9)
Latest actions
- : Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- : Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2).
- : Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 335) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
- : 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, Todd, Matsumoto; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
- : Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Wednesday, 02-05-25 10:00AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
- : Referred to ECD, FIN, referral sheet 4
- : Introduced and Pass First Reading.
Votes
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2) (February 11, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- ECD: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 5, 2025): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Appropriations, DBEDT, Office Of Entrepreneurship, Study
Common questions
- What is HB1442?
- HB1442 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Office of Entrepreneurship.
- What does HB1442 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to office of entrepreneurship.
- What is the status of HB1442?
- Failed as of December 8, 2025. Latest action: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. (December 8, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB1442?
- Lauren Matsumoto (R, 38), with 9 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1442?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1442&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.