Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB2474: Relating to International Relations.
Status: Signed into law, June 26, 2026
Authorizes the Governor and Legislature to enter into nonbinding international cooperative agreements with foreign national governments, foreign subnational jurisdictions, and regional intergovernmental partners. Authorizes the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission to review proposals for sister-state or province partnerships and international cooperative agreements.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to international relations.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the existing scope of chapter 229, Hawaii Revised Statutes, needs to be broadened because, at present, it focuses largely on sister-state or province partnerships. The legislature further finds that modern government-to-government work requires the ability to enter into nonbinding memoranda of understanding with national governments or ministries, regional bodies, and other international partners. This will enable the State to advance in key areas, including agriculture, biosecurity, climate resilience, indigenous knowledge, education, renewable energy, and economic development. The legislature also finds that it is important for international agreements between the State and other governments to be transparent to the public and subject to public input. Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to: (1) Authorize the State to enter into nonbinding international cooperative agreements with national 2026--3374 H32474 CD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ Page2 C.D. governments; national ministries, departments, or agencies; provincial or regional governments; or international intergovernmental bodies relevant to the interests of the State or an international partner; (2) Expand the definition of sister--state or province partnerships to include a partnership between the State and a prefecture or foreign nation; and (3) Require the Hawaii sister-state and international partnerships commission to evaluate how a sister-state or province partnership or international cooperative agreement will enhance …
Sponsors
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Cory Chun (D, 35)
- Luke Evslin (D, 16)
- Andrew Garrett (D, 22)
- Daniel Holt (D, 28)
- Greggor Ilagan (D, 4)
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
- Darius Kila (D, 44)
- Tyson Miyake (D, 10)
- Ikaika Olds (D, 23)
- Amy Perruso (D, 46)
Latest actions
- : Act 181, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1283).
- : Act 181, 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1283).
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Transmitted to Governor.
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
- : Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 153-26).
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
Votes
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- none. (May 1, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2) (April 14, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 6, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: International Relations, Report, Prohibition
Common questions
- What is HB2474?
- HB2474 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to International Relations.
- What does HB2474 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to international relations.
- What is the status of HB2474?
- Signed into law as of June 26, 2026. Latest action: Act 181, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1283). (June 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2474?
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2474?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2474&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.