HI HB1612

Establishes a state goal for Hawaii to rank among the top 30 states nationally for business climate by 2050, as measured by CNBC's America's Top States for Business ranking

Sets interim ranking targets: 45th or better by 2035, 40th by 2040, 35th by 2045, and 30th by 2050 (Hawaii ranked 50th in 2024 and 49th in 2025)

Requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to submit annual progress reports to the legislature until 2050, including legislative options to improve business climate

Appropriates unspecified funds for independent research, staffing, travel, administrative expenses, and new full-time equivalent positions within the department

Uses a ranking metric evaluating ten categories: economy, infrastructure, workforce, cost of doing business, business friendliness, quality of life, technology/innovation, education, access to capital, and cost of living