HI HB1443

Establishes the Hawaii Airport Corporation as an independent public instrumentality within the Department of Transportation, operational on July 1, 2018, to consolidate airport planning, management, and operations under a single entity.

Creates a five-member board of directors appointed by the governor (three members), House speaker (one member), and Senate president (one member), with members serving four-year terms and required business/management experience in relevant disciplines.

Transfers all airport and aeronautics functions from the Department of Transportation's airports division to the Hawaii Airport Corporation, including jurisdiction over airport planning, development, operation, and maintenance statewide.

Grants the corporation broad powers including authority to procure services without chapter 103D competitive bidding requirements (once it develops its own procurement policies), issue revenue bonds, fix airport fees and charges, engage in economic development, and hire staff competitively.

Protects transferred employees by maintaining civil service status, collective bargaining agreements, salary, seniority, and leave credits, with no layoffs resulting from the transfer; becomes effective July 1, 2050.