HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

862

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 2

 

Proposed

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO STATE GOVERNMENT.

 

 

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

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new subpart to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"SUBPart    .  Pacific international space center for exploration systems.

     §304A-    Definitions.  As used in this subpart:

     "Board" means the board of directors of the Pacific international space center for exploration systems.

     "Space center" means the Pacific international space center for exploration systems.

     §304A-    Pacific international space center for exploration systems.  (a)  There is established the Pacific international space center for exploration systems, to be placed within the University of Hawaii at Hilo Imiloa for administrative purposes only.

     (b)  The space center may employ, subject to chapter 76, technical experts and officers, agents, and employees, permanent and temporary, as required.  The space center may also employ officers, agents, and employees, prescribe their duties and qualifications, and fix their salaries, without regard to chapter 76, when in the determination of the board, the services to be performed by those employed are unique and essential to the execution of the functions of the space center.

     §304A-    Pacific international space center for exploration systems; board of directors; establishment; duties.  (a)  There is established the board of directors of the Pacific international space center for exploration systems, consisting of nine members, to include:

     (1)  The director of business, economic development, and tourism, or the director's designated representative;

     (2)  The president of the University of Hawaii, or the president's designated representative;

     (3)  The chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, or the chancellor's designated representative; and

     (4)  Six members from government, industry, and academia, both national and international, with appropriate professional interests and backgrounds;

provided that of the members appointed under paragraph (4), two members shall be appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the president of the senate, two members shall be appointed from a list of nominees submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives, and two members shall be appointed by the governor; provided further that the members appointed pursuant to paragraph (4) shall be subject to section 26-34.

     The board shall select a chairperson from among its members.

     (b)  Five members shall constitute a quorum, whose affirmative vote shall be necessary for all actions by the space center.  The members of the board shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties.

     (c)  The board shall appoint an executive director to the space center who shall be exempt from chapter 76.  The board shall set the salary and duties of the executive director.

     §304A-    General powers.  (a)  The board may:

     (1)  Sue and be sued;

     (2)  Adopt a seal and alter the seal at pleasure;

     (3)  Make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers; and

     (4)  Adopt bylaws and rules, which shall be exempt from chapter 91, for its organization and internal management, and to carry into effect its purposes, powers, and programs.

     (b)  In addition to other powers conferred upon it, the board may do all things necessary and convenient to carry out the powers expressly provided in this subpart.

     §304A-    Powers and duties of the Pacific international space center for exploration systems executive director.  In addition to any other powers and duties provided in this subpart, the executive director shall:

     (1)  Oversee, supervise, and direct the planning, evaluation, and coordination of space-related activities, and identify and promote opportunities for expanding and diversifying aerospace-related industries in the State pertaining to the space center;

     (2)  Establish partnerships with corporate, government, and University of Hawaii entities that can promote and enhance the State's aerospace industry; and where possible, help to generate additional revenue for the University of Hawaii and create classes and other educational opportunities for students;

     (3)  Work with local universities and community colleges to facilitate internships for students with the space center and associated companies;

     (4)  Continue to work with the University of Hawaii on course development, teaching, workforce development, and outreach;

     (5)  Promote innovative educational and workforce development programs that will enhance public awareness of the space center and enable residents to pursue employment in Hawaii's aerospace industry;

     (6)  Act as the public representative of the space center;

     (7)  Monitor national and global trends in the aerospace industry and promote global awareness of the space center;

     (8)  Pursue projects in the aerospace sector that can be leveraged for improvements to the State's broadband and alternative energy capabilities;

     (9)  Serve as a clearinghouse for information on the space center and associated activities;

    (10)  Target existing businesses that can provide products or services of importance to the space center and its projects to support the expansion of these businesses in Hawaii;

    (11)  Increase contact and maintain liaison with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, related aerospace organizations, and other federal agencies and facilities;

    (12)  Maintain and expand liaisons with local business and citizen groups;

    (13)  Adopt, amend, and repeal rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry out this subpart;

    (14)  Contract for services as may be necessary for the purposes of this subpart;

    (15)  Oversee and manage the unmanned aircraft systems program; and

    (16)  Do all other things necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this subpart.

     §304A-    Pacific international space center for exploration systems special fund.  (a)  There is established in the state treasury the Pacific international space center for exploration systems special fund, into which shall be deposited:

     (1)  Revenues, moneys, and fees from services, rentals, publications, royalties, and patents generated under this subpart;

     (2)  Gifts, donations, and grants received by the Pacific international space center for exploration systems; and

     (3)  Proceeds from revenue bonds issued by the director of finance.

     (b)  Moneys in the fund shall be used by the Pacific international space center for exploration systems for the operation, maintenance, and management of its projects, facilities, services, and publications and for the design and construction of new facilities and the renovation of or addition to existing facilities.

     (c)  All moneys remaining in the Pacific international space center for exploration systems special fund at the close of each fiscal year that are deemed, by the director of finance, to be in excess of the moneys necessary to carry out the purposes of this section in the next fiscal year shall lapse to the credit of the state general fund."

     SECTION 2.  Part V of chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

     SECTION 3.  The Pacific international space center for exploration systems special fund established in section 201‑80.2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and repealed by section 2 of this Act is abolished and any remaining unencumbered balance shall lapse to the Pacific international space center for exploration systems special fund established under section 1 of this Act.

PART II

     SECTION 4.  (a)  The Challenger center Hawaii program shall be transferred from the office of aerospace development and placed within the department of education for administrative purposes.

     (b)  All appropriations, records, equipment, machines, files, supplies, contracts, books, papers, documents, maps, and other personal property heretofore made, used, acquired, or held by the office of aerospace development for the Challenger center Hawaii program shall be transferred to the department of education with the functions to which they relate.

     (c)  All rights, powers, functions, and duties of the office of aerospace development as they relate to the Challenger center Hawaii program are transferred to the department of education.

     All employees who occupy civil service positions and whose functions are transferred to the department of education by this Act shall retain their civil service status, whether permanent or temporary.  Employees shall be transferred without loss of salary, seniority (except as prescribed by applicable collective bargaining agreements), retention points, prior service credit, any vacation and sick leave credits previously earned, and other rights, benefits, and privileges, in accordance with state personnel laws and this Act; provided that the employees possess the minimum qualifications and public employment requirements for the class or position to which transferred or appointed, as applicable; provided further that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable civil service and compensation laws.

     Any employee who, prior to this Act, is exempt from civil service and is transferred as a consequence of this Act may retain the employee's exempt status, but shall not be appointed to a civil service position as a consequence of this Act.  An exempt employee who is transferred by this Act shall not suffer any loss of prior service credit, vacation or sick leave credits previously earned, or other employee benefits or privileges as a consequence of this Act; provided that the employees possess legal and public employment requirements for the position to which transferred or appointed, as applicable; provided further that subsequent changes in status may be made pursuant to applicable employment and compensation laws.  The superintendent of the department of education may prescribe the duties and qualifications of these employees and fix their salaries without regard to chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 5.  On July 1, 2021, the budget of the office of aerospace development that is specifically allocated to the Challenger center Hawaii program shall be transferred to the department of education.

PART III

     SECTION 6.  Section 201B-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  Members shall be appointed by the governor for terms of four years; provided that membership on the board shall not exceed eight consecutive years; provided further that each member shall [hold office until the member's successor is appointed and qualified.] not continue as a holdover member beyond the beginning of the next regular legislative session, following the expiration of the member's term."

     SECTION 7.  Section 201B-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Except as otherwise limited by this chapter, the authority may:

     (1)  Sue and be sued;

     (2)  Have a seal and alter the same at pleasure;

     (3)  Through its president and chief executive officer, make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and functions under this chapter; provided that the authority may enter into contracts and agreements for a period of up to five years, subject to the availability of funds; and provided further that the authority may enter into agreements for the use of the convention center facility for a period of up to ten years;

     (4)  Make and alter bylaws for its organization and internal management;

     (5)  Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 with respect to its projects, operations, properties, and facilities;

     (6)  Through its president and chief executive officer, represent the authority in communications with the governor and the legislature;

     (7)  Through its president and chief executive officer, provide for the appointment of officers, agents, a sports coordinator, and employees, subject to the approval of the board, prescribing their duties and qualifications, and fixing their salaries, without regard to chapters 76 and 78, if there is no anticipated revenue shortfall in the tourism special fund and funds have been appropriated by the legislature and allotted as provided by law;

     (8)  Through its president and chief executive officer, purchase supplies, equipment, or furniture;

     (9)  Through its president and chief executive officer, allocate the space or spaces that are to be occupied by the authority and appropriate staff;

    (10)  Through its president and chief executive officer, engage the services of qualified persons to implement the State's tourism marketing plan or portions thereof as determined by the authority;

    (11)  Through its president and chief executive officer, engage the services of consultants on a contractual basis for rendering professional and technical assistance and advice;

    (12)  Procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property and other assets and operations in amounts and from insurers as it deems desirable;

    (13)  Contract for or accept revenues, compensation, proceeds, and gifts or grants in any form from any public agency or any other source;

   [(14)  Develop, coordinate, and implement state policies and directions for tourism and related activities taking into account the economic, social, and physical impacts of tourism on the State, Hawaii's natural environment, and areas frequented by visitors;

    (15)] (14)  Have a permanent, strong focus on Hawaii brand management;

   [(16)] (15)  Conduct market development-related research as necessary;

   [(17)  Coordinate all agencies and advise the private sector in the development of tourism-related activities and resources;

    (18)  Work to eliminate or reduce barriers to travel to provide a positive and competitive business environment, including coordinating with the department of transportation on issues affecting airlines and air route development;

    (19)] (16)  Market and promote sports-related activities and events;

   [(20)  Coordinate the development of new products with the counties and other persons in the public sector and private sector, including the development of sports, culture, health and wellness, education, technology, agriculture, and nature tourism;

    (21)] (17)  Establish a public information and educational program to inform the public of tourism and tourism-related problems;

   [(22)  Encourage the development of tourism educational, training, and career counseling programs;

    (23)  Establish a program to monitor, investigate, and respond to complaints about problems resulting directly or indirectly from the tourism industry and taking appropriate action as necessary;

    (24)] (18)  Develop and implement emergency measures to respond to any adverse effects on the tourism industry, pursuant to section 201B-9;

   [(25)] (19)  Set and collect rents, fees, charges, or other payments for the lease, use, occupancy, or disposition of the convention center facility without regard to chapter 91;

   [(26)] (20)  Notwithstanding chapter 171, acquire, lease as lessee or lessor, own, rent, hold, and dispose of the convention center facility in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under this chapter; and

   [(27)] (21)  Acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise, and develop, construct, operate, own, manage, repair, reconstruct, enlarge, or otherwise effectuate, either directly or through developers, a convention center facility."

     SECTION 8.  Section 201B-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§201B-7  Tourism-related activities.  (a)  The authority may enter into contracts and agreements that include the following:

     (1)  Tourism promotion, marketing, and development;

     (2)  Market development-related research;

     (3)  Product development and diversification issues focused on visitors;

     (4)  Promotion, development, and coordination of sports-related activities and events;

     (5)  Promotion of Hawaii, through a coordinated statewide effort, as a place to do business, including high technology business, and as a business destination;

    [(6)  Reduction of barriers to travel;

     (7)] (6)  Marketing, management, use, operation, or maintenance of the convention center facility, including the purchase or sale of goods or services, logo items, concessions, sponsorships, and license agreements, or any use of the convention center facility as a commercial enterprise; provided that effective January 1, 2020, and thereafter, contracts issued pursuant to this paragraph for the marketing of all uses of the convention center facility may be issued separately from the management, use, operation, or maintenance of the facility;

    [(8)] (7)  Tourism research and statistics to:

         (A)  Measure and analyze tourism trends;

         (B)  Provide information and research to assist in the development and implementation of state tourism policy; and

         (C)  Provide tourism information on:

              (i)  Visitor arrivals, visitor characteristics, and expenditures;

             (ii)  The number of transient accommodation units available, occupancy rates, and room rates;

            (iii)  Airline-related data including seat capacity and number of flights;

             (iv)  The economic, social, and physical impacts of tourism on the State; and

              (v)  The effects of the marketing programs of the authority on the measures of effectiveness developed pursuant to section 201B-6(b); and

    [(9)] (8)  Any and all other activities necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter;

provided that the authority shall periodically submit a report of the contracts and agreements entered into by the authority to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate.

     (b)  The authority shall be responsible for:

     (1)  Creating a vision and developing a long-range strategic plan for tourism in Hawaii;

     (2)  Promoting, marketing, and developing the tourism industry in the State; and

     (3)  Arranging for the conduct of research through contractual services with the University of Hawaii or any agency or other qualified persons concerning social, economic, and environmental aspects of tourism development in the State[;

     (4)  Providing technical or other assistance to agencies and private industry upon request;

     (5)  Perpetuating the uniqueness of the native Hawaiian culture and community, and their importance to the quality of the visitor experience, by ensuring that:

         (A)  The Hawaiian culture is accurately portrayed by Hawaii's visitor industry;

         (B)  Hawaiian language is supported and normalized as both an official language of the State as well as the foundation of the host culture that draws visitors to Hawaii;

         (C)  Hawaiian cultural practitioners and cultural sites that give value to Hawaii's heritage are supported, nurtured, and engaged in sustaining the visitor industry; and

         (D)  A native Hawaiian cultural education and training program is provided for the visitor industry workforce having direct contact with visitors; and

     (6)  Reviewing annually the expenditure of public funds by any visitor industry organization that contracts with the authority to perform tourism promotion, marketing, and development and making recommendations necessary to ensure the effective use of the funds for the development of tourism.

     (c)  The authority may delegate to staff the responsibility for soliciting, awarding, and executing contracts and for monitoring and facilitating any and all functions developed in accordance with this section.

     (d)  Where public disclosure of information gathered or developed by the authority may place a business at a competitive disadvantage or may impair or frustrate the authority's ability to either compete as a visitor destination or obtain or utilize information for a legitimate government function, the authority may withhold from public disclosure competitively sensitive information including:

     (1)  Completed survey forms and questionnaire forms;

     (2)  Coding sheets; and

     (3)  Database records of the information]."

     SECTION 9.  Section 201B-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  Moneys in the special fund shall be used exclusively to provide for the development and implementation of emergency measures that directly relate to safety and security initiatives necessary to respond to any tourism emergency pursuant to section 201B-9, including providing emergency assistance to tourists during the tourism emergency."

     SECTION 10. Section 201B-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  Moneys in the tourism special fund shall be used by the authority for the purposes of this chapter, provided that[:

     (1)  Not] not more than 3.5 per cent of this amount shall be used for administrative expenses, including:

     (1)  All governance and employment expenses;

     (2)  Organization-wide costs; and

     (3)  $15,000 for a protocol fund to be expended at the discretion of the president and chief executive officer[.

     (2)  At least $1,000,000 shall be made available to support efforts to manage, improve, and protect Hawaii's natural environment and areas frequented by visitors]."

     SECTION 11.  Section 201B-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed:

     ["§201B-13  Assistance by state and county agencies; advisory group.  (a)  Any state or county agency may render services upon request of the authority.

     (b)  The authority may establish an advisory group that may meet monthly or as the authority deems necessary, which may include the director of business, economic development, and tourism, director of transportation, chairperson of the board of land and natural resources, and executive director of the state foundation on culture and the arts to advise the authority on matters relating to their respective departments or agency in the preparation and execution of suggested:

     (1)  Measures to respond to tourism emergencies pursuant to section 201B-9;

     (2)  Programs for the management, improvement, and protection of Hawaii's natural environment and other areas frequented by visitors;

     (3)  Measures to address issues affecting airlines, air routes, and barriers to travel to Hawaii; and

     (4)  Programs to perpetuate the cultures of Hawaii and engage local communities to sustain and preserve the native Hawaiian culture.]"

     SECTION 12.  Section 237D-6.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  Except for the revenues collected pursuant to section 237D-2(e), revenues collected under this chapter shall be distributed in the following priority, with the excess revenues to be deposited into the general fund:

     (1)  $1,500,000 shall be allocated to the Turtle Bay conservation easement special fund beginning July 1, 2015, for the reimbursement to the state general fund of debt service on reimbursable general obligation bonds, including ongoing expenses related to the issuance of the bonds, the proceeds of which were used to acquire the conservation easement and other real property interests in Turtle Bay, Oahu, for the protection, preservation, and enhancement of natural resources important to the State, until the bonds are fully amortized;

     (2)  $16,500,000 shall be allocated to the convention center enterprise special fund established under section 201B-8;

    [(3)  $79,000,000 shall be allocated to the tourism special fund established under section 201B-11; provided that:

         (A)  Beginning on July 1, 2012, and ending on June 30, 2015, $2,000,000 shall be expended from the tourism special fund for development and implementation of initiatives to take advantage of expanded visa programs and increased travel opportunities for international visitors to Hawaii;

         (B)  Of the $79,000,000 allocated:

              (i)  $1,000,000 shall be allocated for the operation of a Hawaiian center and the museum of Hawaiian music and dance; and

             (ii)  0.5 per cent of the $79,000,000 shall be transferred to a sub-account in the tourism special fund to provide funding for a safety and security budget, in accordance with the Hawaii tourism strategic plan 2005-2015; and

         (C)  Of the revenues remaining in the tourism special fund after revenues have been deposited as provided in this paragraph and except for any sum authorized by the legislature for expenditure from revenues subject to this paragraph, beginning July 1, 2007, funds shall be deposited into the tourism emergency special fund, established in section 201B-10, in a manner sufficient to maintain a fund balance of $5,000,000 in the tourism emergency special fund;

     (4)] (3)  $103,000,000 shall be allocated as follows:  Kauai county shall receive 14.5 per cent, Hawaii county shall receive 18.6 per cent, city and county of Honolulu shall receive 44.1 per cent, and Maui county shall receive 22.8 per cent; provided that commencing with fiscal year 2018-2019, a sum that represents the difference between a county public employer's annual required contribution for the separate trust fund established under section 87A-42 and the amount of the county public employer's contributions into that trust fund shall be retained by the state director of finance and deposited to the credit of the county public employer's annual required contribution into that trust fund in each fiscal year, as provided in section 87A-42, if the respective county fails to remit the total amount of the county's required annual contributions, as required under section 87A-43; and

    [(5)] (4)  $3,000,000 shall be allocated to the special land and development fund established under section 171-19; provided that the allocation shall be expended in accordance with the Hawaii tourism authority strategic plan for:

         (A)  The protection, preservation, maintenance, and enhancement of natural resources, including beaches, important to the visitor industry;

         (B)  Planning, construction, and repair of facilities; and

         (C)  Operation and maintenance costs of public lands, including beaches, connected with enhancing the visitor experience.

     All transient accommodations taxes shall be paid into the state treasury each month within ten days after collection and shall be kept by the state director of finance in special accounts for distribution as provided in this subsection.

     As used in this subsection, "fiscal year" means the twelve-month period beginning on July 1 of a calendar year and ending on June 30 of the following calendar year."

PART IV

     SECTION 13.  Chapter 202, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amending by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§202-    Conflicts of interest, state and local boards.  (a)  The state and local board shall develop written conflict of interest policies pursuant to title 29 U.S.C. section 3111, title 29 U.S.C. section 3122, and chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (b)  A member of the state or local boards shall not:

     (1)  Vote on a matter under consideration by the board:

          (A)  Regarding the provision of services by the member, or by an entity the board member represents; or

          (B)  That would provide direct financial benefit to the member or the member's immediate family; or

     (2)  Engage in any other activity that constitutes a conflict of interest as specified in the state plan."

     SECTION 14. Section 202-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§202-3  Powers of council.  (a)  [The workforce development council] The governor, or the governor's designee, shall appoint and fix the compensation of an executive director, who shall be exempt from chapter 76[, and may employ any other personnel as it deems advisable within chapter 76].  Staff support shall be provided by the department of labor and industrial relations.

     (b)  The council, or on the authorization of the council, any subcommittee or panel thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out its functions and duties, hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places as the council may deem advisable.

     (c)  The council may negotiate and enter into contracts with public agencies or private organizations to carry out its studies and to prepare reports that the council determines to be necessary to the fulfillment of its duties.

     (d)  The council may secure through the governor's office, any information from any executive department, agency, or independent instrumentality of the State it deems necessary to carry out its functions.

     (e)  The council may convene such public conferences and forums as it deems useful to keep the public informed of workforce development needs, developments, and initiatives.

     (f)  The council [may administer funds allocated for its work and] may accept, disburse, and allocate funds which may become available from other governmental and private sources; provided that all the funds shall be disbursed or allocated in compliance with the objectives set forth herein, and applicable laws."

     SECTION 15.  Section 202-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§202-5  Organizational relationships.  The workforce development council is placed within the department of labor and industrial relations [for administrative purposes] and shall act in an advisory capacity to the governor."

     SECTION 16.  All rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, and other material adopted or developed by the workforce development council to implement provisions of the Hawaii Revised Statutes that are reenacted or made applicable to the workforce development council by this Act shall remain in full force and effect until amended or repealed by the department of labor and industrial relations pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  In the interim, every reference to the workforce development council in those rules, policies, procedures, guidelines, and other material is amended to refer to the department of labor and industrial relations.

     SECTION 17.  All deeds, leases, contracts, loans, agreements, permits, or other documents executed or entered into by or on behalf of the workforce development council, pursuant to the provisions of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, that are reenacted or made applicable to the workforce development council by this Act shall remain in full force and effect. Effective July 1, 2021, every reference to the workforce development council or the executive director of the workforce development council in those deeds, leases, contracts, loans, agreements, permits, or other documents shall be construed as a reference to the department of labor and industrial relations.

PART V

     SECTION 18.  Section 269-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§269-3  Employment of professional staff; assistants.  (a)  The [chairperson of the] public utilities commission may appoint and employ professional staff and other assistants for the public utilities commission as [the chairperson finds] found necessary for the performance of the commission's functions and define their powers and duties.  Notwithstanding section 26-35(a)(4) to the contrary and subject to applicable personnel laws, the employment, appointment, applicable salary schedules, promotion, transfer, demotion, discharge, and job descriptions of all officers and employees of or under the jurisdiction of the commission shall be determined by the [chairperson] commission and [may] shall be delegated to the executive officer appointed and employed pursuant to subsection [(b);] (c); provided that determinations concerning personnel matters made by the [chairperson] commission or the executive officer, as delegated by the chairperson, may be reviewed by the director of commerce and consumer affairs for completeness and for compliance and conformance with applicable administrative processes and procedures of the department of commerce and consumer affairs.  The executive officer shall ensure that each commissioner is provided sufficient access to staff resources as is necessary in fulfilling the professional and decision-making responsibilities of the commission.  The [chairperson] commission may appoint and, at pleasure, dismiss a chief administrator and attorneys as may be necessary, and who shall be exempt from chapter 76.  The [chairperson] commission may also appoint other staff, including a fiscal officer and a personnel officer, with or without regard to chapter 76.

     (b)  The executive officer of the commission shall appoint an administrative assistant, a research assistant, and legal counsel to assist each of the members of the public utilities commission.  Staff appointed under this subsection shall report to the commissioner to whom they are assigned and, notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the executive officer shall not dismiss or re-assign any assigned staff member without prior written approval of the affected commissioner.

     [(b)] (c)  The chairperson of the commission shall appoint, employ, and dismiss, at pleasure, an executive officer who shall be responsible for managing the operations of the commission.  The responsibilities of the executive officer shall include oversight of all divisions, offices and branches of the commission, management and recruitment of personnel, budget planning and implementation, strategic planning and implementation, procurement and contract administration, and implementation of administrative programs and projects.  The executive officer shall be exempt from chapter 76.

     [(c)] (d)  Notwithstanding section 91-13, the commission may consult with its officers, assistants, and employees appointed under authority of this section in any contested case or agency hearing concerning any issue of facts.  Neither the commission nor any of its assistants shall in such proceeding consult with any other person or party except upon notice and an opportunity for all parties to participate, save to the extent required for the disposition of ex parte matters authorized by law."

PART VI

     SECTION 19.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 20.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems; University of Hawaii at Hilo; Imiloa; Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program; Challenger Center Hawaii Program; Hawaii Tourism Authority; Tourism Emergency Special Fund; Tourism Special Fund; Holdover Board Members; Hawaii Workforce Development Council; Public Utilities Commission; Conflict of Interest Policies; State and Local Boards

 

Description:

Abolishes the office of aerospace development (OAD), aerospace advisory committee, and the Hawaii unmanned aerial systems test site advisory board.  Transfers administration of the Pacific international space center for exploration systems (PISCES) from DBEDT to the University of Hawaii at Hilo Imiloa.  Transfers the administration, along with all rights, powers, functions, and duties of the Challenger center Hawaii program (CCHI) from OAD to the department of education (DOE).  Transfers all appropriations for CCHI from OAD to DOE.  Specifies that the executive director of PISCES shall oversee the unmanned aircraft systems program.  Prohibits holdover board members of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA).  Specifies that moneys in the tourism emergency special fund are to be used exclusively for emergency measures.  Requires that the 3.5 per cent cap on spending from the tourism special fund include all governance and employment expenses and organization-wide costs as administrative expenses.  Repeals the allocation from transient accommodations tax to the tourism and tourism emergency special funds.  Repeals HTA authorization to establish an advisory group.  Requires state and local boards to develop written conflict of interest policies.  Requires the Governor to fix the compensation for the Hawaii Workforce Development Council's (Council) executive director and requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) to provide support staff to the Council.  Transfers the Council to DLIR.  Clarifies the employment of professional staff by the public utilities commission.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (Proposed SD2)

 

 

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