Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB2907: Relating to Marine Affairs.
Status: Signed into law, July 7, 2026
Declares that the State is an ocean cluster. Establishes the Office of Marine Affairs under the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation for administrative purposes only. Establishes the Marine Affairs Coordinator position. Requires the Marine Affairs Coordinator to submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. Transfers the employees and functions of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Marine Affairs to the Office of Marine Affairs. Appropriates funds for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) Marine Affairs Coordinator position.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to marine affairs.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MARINE AFFAIRS. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the ocean economy, commonly referred to as the blue economy, represents one of the fastest-growing economic opportunities globally. The blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean and aquatic resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation while preserving the health of oceanic and aquatic ecosystems. This economic sector includes a broad set of industries, including but not limited to marine construction, ship and boat building, marine transportation, energy, tourism and recreation, fisheries and other fishery-related businesses, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean and coastal management, and conservation. The annual economic output of the blue economy is projected to double to an estimated $3 trillion by 2030. The legislature further finds that Hawaii is already a national leader in the blue economy. As the United States' only island state, Hawaii's blue economy is substantial and growing, with the number of marine businesses in the State having 2026-2416 SB2907 GDI SMA-l.docx iniHiiiiiiiHiiiiHiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiB^ Page 2 S.B. NO. 2907 S.D. H.D. C.D. increased by twenty-three per cent within the past decade. This strength builds on the legacy, wisdom, and cultural ties that Native Hawaiians have cultivated with the ocean for centuries. However, to remain competitive with other coastal states and countries, the State must act to modernize its approach …
Sponsors
- Glenn Wakai (D, 15) · primary sponsor
- Stanley Chang (D, 9)
Latest actions
- : Act 186, on 07/06/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1288).
- : Act 186, 07/06/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1288).
- : Enrolled to Governor.
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Cochran, Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Perruso, Pierick, Poepoe voting no (4) and Representative(s) Alcos excused (1).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
- : Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 226-26) as amended in (CD 1).
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 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) Cochran, Iwamoto voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Perruso, Pierick, Poepoe voting no (4) and Representative(s) Alcos exc (May 6, 2026): 46 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Representative(s) Hashem. (May 1, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (May 1, 2026): 2 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading as amended in HD 3 with Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Iwamoto, Perruso, Poepoe, Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Q (April 14, 2026): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 7, 2026): 16 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Exemption, Appropriations, DBEDT, DOT, Marine Affairs, UH, DLNR
Common questions
- What is SB2907?
- SB2907 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Marine Affairs.
- What does SB2907 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to marine affairs.
- What is the status of SB2907?
- Signed into law as of July 7, 2026. Latest action: Act 186, on 07/06/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1288). (July 7, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB2907?
- Glenn Wakai (D, 15), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB2907?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2907&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.