Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB2235: Relating to the Military and Community Relations Office.
Status: In committee, February 20, 2026
Appropriates funds to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the Military Affairs Community Relations Office to strengthen intergovernmental coordination for military and defense activities.
What the bill says
A bill foran act relating to the military and community relations office.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FORAN ACT RELATING TO THE MILITARY AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that federal defenserelated contracting represents a significant share of Hawaii's economy and provides substantial opportunities for local businesses and residents. The legislature further finds that federal investment in military and defense activities has increased substantially in recent years, with congressional appropriations for defense growing by approximately $1,000,000,000 annually over the past few fiscal years. Consistent with the organization and purpose of the executive branch under chapter 26, Hawaii Revised Statutes, effective coordination among state agencies and between state, federal, and military partners is a core governmental function necessary for the efficient administration of public programs and services. The military and community relations office serves as the State's central point of coordination on military and defense-related matters. Strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of this office improves intergovernmental 2026--1635 HB2235 HD2 HMSO H.B. N~i coordination; enhances communication and responsiveness; and supports the effective delivery of public services related to defense activities, workforce development, infrastructure, and community relations. Additionally, Hawaii's strategic location and military presence capture a meaningful portion of federal defense investment, and these defense-related expenditures constitute a significant share of the State's economy relative to other states. Increasing Hawaii's ability to compete for and perform federal work requires coordinated investments in: local business readiness …
Sponsors
- Della Belatti (D, 26) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Sam Kong (D, HD-033)
- Lisa Marten (D, 51)
- Garner Shimizu (R, 32)
- Adrian Tam (D, 24)
Latest actions
- : Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1).
- : Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 622-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.
- : The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Hussey; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
- : Bill scheduled to be heard by ECD on Wednesday, 02-18-26 9:30AM in House conference room 423 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
- : Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on ECD with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1).
- : Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 196-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to ECD.
- : The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Hashem, Ichiyama, Morikawa, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Iwamoto; and Excused: none.
- : Bill scheduled to be heard by PBS on Friday, 02-06-26 8:30AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
- : Referred to PBS, ECD, FIN, referral sheet 5
- : Introduced and Pass First Reading.
Votes
- Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1) (February 20, 2026): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
- ECD: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 18, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on ECD with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1) (February 11, 2026): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on ECD with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Holt excused (1) (February 11, 2026): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
- PBS: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 6, 2026): 8 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Appropriations, DBEDT, The Military And Community Relations Office
Common questions
- What is HB2235?
- HB2235 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the Military and Community Relations Office.
- What does HB2235 do?
- In its own words: A bill foran act relating to the military and community relations office.
- What is the status of HB2235?
- In committee as of February 20, 2026. Latest action: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). (February 20, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2235?
- Della Belatti (D, 26), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2235?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2235&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.