HI HB1176

Establishes the Hawaii Economic Diversification Grant Program under the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to provide grants to qualified high technology businesses for qualified research activities

Limits total annual grants to $10,000,000 in aggregate, distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism certifying and verifying all grant applications

Defines "qualified high technology business" as a small business (500 or fewer employees) that conducts more than 50% of its activities in qualified research in Hawaii and is registered in the state

Covers 17 eligible industry sectors including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, aerospace and defense, nanotechnology, ocean sciences, astronomy, renewable energy, and medical/health technologies

Requires grant recipients to file annual surveys with employment data, expenditures, intellectual property filings, and revenue information, with DBEDT reporting program effectiveness to the legislature by September 1 each year