HI HB1338

Establishes the China-Hawaii Economic Council within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to further economic relations between China and Hawaii.

Creates a seven-member China-Hawaii Economic Council Commission appointed by the governor to serve as the policymaking and oversight body; members receive no compensation but are reimbursed for reasonable expenses.

Requires the council to conduct an inaugural China-Hawaii economic council general meeting by December 31, 2024, with subsequent annual meetings that may alternate between Hawaii and China and cover trade, tourism, education, investment, finance, communication, and culture.

Mandates the council submit a report to the legislature within 180 days after each general meeting and submit annual reports to the legislature no later than 20 days prior to the 2022, 2023, and 2024 regular legislative sessions.

Appropriates general revenues for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 for the China-Hawaii Economic Council; takes effect July 1, 2019.