HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1419

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE PACIFIC INTERNATIONAL SPACE CENTER FOR EXPLORATION SYSTEMS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that for the last fifty years the State of Hawaii has partnered with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop and advance the national space program –- beginning with the astronaut training program for the Apollo lunar missions and including a broad range of discoveries in astronomy and planetary geosciences, satellite communications, space-based environmental monitoring, deep-space surveillance, and other activities that have established the United States as a global leader in space exploration.

     The legislature further finds that the State entered into an agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to expand the State's role as a contributor to and beneficiary of the national space enterprise.  The agreement will enable the State to leverage strategic assets and capabilities for space exploration, including the State's unique geographical features, which resemble lunar and Martian terrain, resident expertise in space science and technology, and extensive research partnerships with other space programs throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

     The Pacific international space center for exploration systems was formally established by the legislature by Act 169, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, to provide unique opportunities to expand and diversify technology-based enterprises and education statewide and to advance the national space program by leveraging Hawaii's substantial assets and capabilities in space exploration.

     One goal for the Pacific international space center for exploration systems is to develop a world-class space center in Hawaii that can facilitate the design, testing, and validation of new technologies that support both robotic and human missions to space.  Another goal is to serve as an economic driver for the island of Hawaii that will promote the establishment and growth of new sustainable and green industries along with associated jobs, workforce development, internships, and science, technology, engineering, and math education programs.

     The legislature further finds that the Pacific international space center for exploration systems has a unique opportunity to facilitate and accelerate the development of aerospace surface-system technologies by exploiting Earth-based commercial applications in the State.  The preliminary focus for this program should be in research of a sustainable concrete supply, robotic operator training and certification, and the attraction of companies to presently unpopulated business sectors in Hawaii.

     For the study and development of a sustainable concrete supply, the legislature recognizes that current market demands for concrete in Hawaii are primarily met through imported cement and asphalt.  Research and development that enables innovative technologies for basalt concrete composition and delivery is an attractive and self-sustaining alternative to continued cement and bitumen imports.  Currently, the Pacific international space center for exploration systems is working with the International Space Exploration Research Institute of Hanyang University in South Korea, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, including the Kennedy Space Center, the Ames Research Center, and the Johnson Space Center, the University of Notre Dame, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and local industries to identify, verify, and validate sustainable and in-situ concrete binders using the existing basalt resources in the State.  This is a critical step toward realizing Hawaii's potential in this industry and provides an investment in the future of Hawaii and its economy by offering a self-sufficient and in-situ source of concrete for local applications.

     The legislature further finds that with increasing technological availability of robotics for emergency response and hazard mitigation, there is an emerging need for robotics training and certification for civil and government robotic operators.  The Pacific international space program is working with the Northern Center for Advanced Technology in Canada to develop a robotic operator training and certification program, and will be collaborating with the University of Hawaii community college system on course facilitation and development. Additionally, the pacific international space center for exploration systems is exploring opportunities with the Northern Center for Advanced Technology in underwater robotics.

     The legislature further finds that the recent emergence of private commercial space access and a resurgence of global space initiatives will involve significant private sector investment in the development, testing, validation, and verification of robotics, broadband, energy production, energy storage, recycling, and renewable and sustainable technologies that can have immediate application to improve the economy and the general well-being of the State.  The legislature also recognizes the need to formulate partnerships with private industry to facilitate State-based manufacturing and operations in conjunction with the associated local workforce development.  The Pacific international space center for exploration systems is exploring possible partnerships with Planetary Power, which produces solar and hybrid energy generation and storage systems, to establish a Pacific base of operations in Hawaii to facilitate the manufacturing of specific components for fixed and mobile solar concentrator units that will offer higher efficiency than photovoltaic systems, as well as hybrid biodiesel systems. 

     The Pacific international space center for exploration systems is also working to establish a memorandum of understanding with Hawaii Techworks and the east Hawaii community development corporation to ensure that there is a skilled local workforce in place to support these manufacturing operations.

     The legislature finds that all of these initiatives align with current demands in the State, as well as President Obama's Advanced Manufacturing Initiative, and represent critical components for a stronger economy in the State.

     The purpose of this Act, therefore, is to appropriate funds to provide funding for the Pacific international space center for exploration systems to manage and facilitate its work in bringing aerospace technology and corporations to Hawaii, to expand and diversify Hawaii-based industry, and to provide the training relevant to prepare Hawaii's workforce for employment in technology-related fields.

Funding appropriated through this Act will be used to fund:

(1)    Existing employee salaries and to create new positions, including a marketing officer, a project integration manager, an information-technology field technician, and two student internship positions;

(2)    Operational expenses, including the rental of staff offices and warehouse space for Pacific international space center for exploration systems hardware and equipment; utilities; intrastate and interstate travel to meetings and conferences; marketing costs associated with website creation, graphic design, and the development of brochures and trade advertising; travel and lodging expenses for the Pacific international space center for exploration systems board of directors; and the Pacific international space center for exploration systems conferencing contracts; and

(3)    The purchase of essential equipment, materials, and services, including electronic test and design equipment in support of robotics training and education; mechanical equipment in support of robotics training, the sustainable concrete project, advanced manufacturing skills training, and ongoing testing of robotic surface systems by the Pacific international space center for exploration systems; command and control equipment for new and existing robotic hardware; situational awareness monitoring for robotic operations training; software licensing; and a data server for archiving project results, product designs, and online training materials for a robotic operator training course.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,163,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2013-2014 for the Pacific international space center for exploration systems for personnel costs, operational expenses, and the purchase of equipment, materials, and services.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  The Pacific international space center for exploration systems shall submit a report that includes:

     (1)  An updated business plan regarding the aerospace technology research and development park project;

     (2)  Details on any progress made toward the development of a world-class space center in Hawaii;

     (3)  The development of technologies for basalt concrete composition and delivery and any effect on the level of cement and bitumen imports into the State;

     (4)  The status of all working relationships with educational and research institutions, federal agencies, and local industry on the use of existing basalt resources in the State to identify, verify, and validate sustainable and in-situ concrete binders;

     (5)  Details on any progress made toward the development of a robotic operator training and certification program, including program location, course and curriculum development, and when the program is expected to begin accepting students;

     (6)  The level of private sector investment in aerospace and related industries, including the number and nature of any partnerships with private industry to facilitate State-based manufacturing and operations related to green energy technology;

     (7)  The status of the memorandum of understanding with Hawaii Techworks and the East Hawaii Community Development Corporation regarding the cultivation of a skilled local workforce to support planned manufacturing operations; and

     (8)  A detailed statement of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses for each fiscal year ending June 30,

to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.



 

Report Title:

Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to PISCES.  Requires report to the Legislature.  Appropriation.  Effective July 1, 2013.  (HB1419 HD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.