SCR137 HD1.DOC

WHEREAS, the United States aerospace industry is a critical resource for our nation, drives our economy, and provides many Americans with highly-paid jobs; and

WHEREAS, the aerospace industry is a major economic driver and catalyst for technological innovation nationwide; and

WHEREAS, the demand for United States aerospace products is the strongest in the national economy, with almost $81,000,000,000 in exports and a positive trade balance of nearly $49,000,000,000; and

WHEREAS, aerospace is a resilient industry, which has sustained an impressive growth rate of nearly twenty per cent during the most recent national recession; and

WHEREAS, both the State of Hawaii and the State of Alaska are currently engaged in a broad range of aerospace-related activities pertaining to satellite communications, environmental remote sensing, robotics, renewable energy, and space launch; and

WHEREAS, both the State of Hawaii and State of Alaska are actively pursuing opportunities to apply these resources to help advance new technologies and capabilities with the potential to advance next generation aviation, commercial space launch, and future robotic and human missions beyond low-Earth orbit; and

WHEREAS, through the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems, Hawaii is developing testing sites and programs for space activities with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the private sector, and international entities, while Alaska has developed launch facilities such as the Kodiak Launch Complex; and

WHEREAS, through collaboration, aerospace entities would be able to test their projects in Hawaii and then stage and launch them from Alaska, creating a economic opportunity for both states while decreasing costs and increasing efficiency for private sector and government entities; and

WHEREAS, both states have substantial technical, environmental, and geographical resources to support these activities; and

WHEREAS, these resources are, in many cases, complementary and, if combined, would constitute a unique set of assets and capabilities that could significantly expand local economies in both states while enhancing our national space program; and

WHEREAS, both the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration have expressed strong interest in developing regional test sites to demonstrate and validate new aerospace technologies; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii and the State of Alaska have also expressed interest in developing test sites specifically for this purpose; and

WHEREAS, the combination of technological, environmental, and geographical assets and capabilities in Alaska and Hawaii could enhance each state's ability to respond to and support national efforts in these areas; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature recognizes the significant advantages and timeliness of promoting collaboration between the State of Hawaii and the State of Alaska in the field of aerospace; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in light of recent requisitions by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the United States military to develop regional test sites to advance our national assets and capabilities in next generation aviation, commercial space launch, and both robotic and human missions beyond low-Earth orbit, the Office of Aerospace Development is requested to research, identify, and evaluate opportunities for collaboration with the State of Alaska in responding to such requisitions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in making this evaluation, the Office of Aerospace Development is requested to consult with appropriate representatives of both the Hawaii and Alaska state administrations and legislatures, the United States aerospace industry, the United States military, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, based upon this evaluation and in consultation with the aforementioned parties and the Hawaii State Aerospace Advisory Committee, the Office of Aerospace Development is requested to recommend opportunities for such collaboration to the Governor and the Legislature, as well as appropriate mechanisms and timetables to facilitate these partnerships; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Alaska; the Governor of the State of Hawaii; the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; the Director of the Office of Aerospace Development; the President of the University of Hawaii; the Adjutant General; the Commander of the United States Pacific Command; the Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet; the Commander of the Pacific Air Forces; the Commanding General of the United States Army Pacific; the Commander of the United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific; the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Report Title:

Aerospace Development; Partnership with Alaska

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	137
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1