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HR 181

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL HAWAII GENUINE PROGRESS INDICATOR REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE NO LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS PRIOR TO THE CONVENING OF EACH REGULAR SESSION, BEGINNING WITH THE REGULAR SESSION OF 2027.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 8 co-sponsors

Hawaii legislature seeks annual Genuine Progress Indicator reports from economic development department to measure broader wellbeing beyond GDP starting 2027.

Referred to ECD, FIN, referral sheet 19
#annualreport #departmentofbusiness #economicdevelopment #hawaiigenuineprogressindicatorreport #andtourism
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Bill Summary · HR 181

Legislative bill overview

HR 181 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to produce and submit an annual "Genuine Progress Indicator" (GPI) report to the legislature starting in 2027. The report would need to be delivered at least 30 days before each regular legislative session convenes, providing policymakers with an alternative economic measurement alongside traditional GDP metrics.

Why is this important

The Genuine Progress Indicator is an alternative economic measurement that accounts for environmental degradation, social costs, and quality-of-life factors that standard GDP ignores. By requiring annual GPI reporting, Hawaii would shift its economic planning framework to consider broader societal wellbeing—potentially influencing budget priorities, environmental policy, and development decisions in ways that traditional economic metrics might not capture.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation burden: The bill doesn't specify GPI methodology or funding; DBEDT may lack expertise or resources to develop a credible, standardized GPI framework without additional appropriations
  • Political utility concerns: Critics may view GPI as a subjective alternative metric that could be manipulated to support particular political agendas rather than providing objective economic data
  • Unclear decision-making impact: The resolution is non-binding and doesn't specify how the GPI report would actually influence legislative action, potentially making it a symbolic gesture without substantive policy change

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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