SB 1503 Summary

• Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to develop and implement training programs, public-private partnerships, funding opportunities, and recruitment strategies focused on defense-related workforce development in fields such as information technology, cybersecurity, intelligence, data science, and advanced manufacturing.

• Mandates training programs in collaboration with educational institutions and industry partners, including upskilling opportunities for existing workers to transition into defense-related roles.

• Directs creation of public-private partnerships with defense contractors to establish internship and apprenticeship programs, with recruitment outreach targeting underrepresented populations including Native Hawaiians, women, and rural communities.

• Requires the department to submit progress reports to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2027 regular session and every other year thereafter.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to develop the defense-related workforce and promote economic diversification; effective July 1, 3000.