HI SB559

Establishes a military affairs advisor and assistant military affairs advisor positions within the governor's office, with the military affairs advisor reporting directly to the governor.

Military affairs advisor responsibilities include interacting with US armed services, facilitating state-military partnerships, monitoring military-related trends, promoting interdepartmental cooperation for economic growth, pursuing federal military funding opportunities, and serving as liaison between the state executive branch and armed services.

Assistant military affairs advisor assists the military affairs advisor and assumes duties during the advisor's absence or disability.

Appropriates general revenues for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 to fund both full-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) permanent positions in the office of the governor (amount not specified in bill text).

Legislature finds military spending generates approximately $8.8 billion annually and 102,000 local jobs in Hawaii, but the state currently lacks ability to effectively coordinate interdepartmental efforts for federal military funding opportunities.