HI SB2426

Clarifies Hawaii Tourism Authority powers by reorganizing §201B-3 to consolidate general powers with a new subsection on authority responsibilities including creating a long-range strategic plan and reviewing public fund expenditures by contracted visitor industry organizations.

Requires the tourism marketing plan under §201B-6 to be developed as a single comprehensive document updated annually that includes the authority's guidance and direction for destination marketing organizations' promotional programs, target markets, key performance indicators, and private sector collaborative efforts.

Adds new §201B-7(b) establishing authority responsibilities for strategic planning, tourism promotion and development, research on economic and social aspects of tourism, and annual review of public fund expenditures by contracted organizations.

Permits the authority to withhold competitively sensitive information from public disclosure under §201B-7(d), including proprietary business information and information necessary to protect Hawaii's competitive advantage as a visitor destination, though marketing plans may be disclosed after execution.

Requires the authority's annual report under §201B-16 to include descriptions and evaluations of programs funded, expenditures, results of marketing plan progress toward strategic goals, and any recommendations to the governor and legislature.