HI HB2601

Establishes a Trade-Oriented Production Capacity Grant Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to fund one-time capital investments expanding Hawaii's manufacturing and production capacity for interstate and international trade.

Grants may be used for manufacturing equipment, automation technologies, facility upgrades, and other capital investments that directly increase production output, efficiency, and competitiveness.

Requires private-sector matching funds from grant recipients and prioritizes traded-sector businesses with demonstrated interstate or international market potential.

Grant evaluation criteria include projected production capacity increases, access to export markets, anticipated job creation or retention, export revenue, and likelihood of near-term measurable economic returns.

Effective July 1, 2026, with an unspecified appropriation amount from general revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027 to be administered by DBEDT.