HI SB1459

Establishes a temporary State Commission on Surfing within the department of accounting and general services to promote surfing and educate the public about its cultural and historical significance to Hawaii.

Commission membership consists of five ex officio voting members (comptroller, director of commerce and consumer affairs, chairperson of board of land and natural resources, director of business, economic development and tourism, and superintendent of education) plus nine appointed members including representatives from senate, house, Hawaiian community, lifeguard association, and surfing association.

Requires at least one appointed member from each of the counties of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii, with gender parity across the full commission membership.

Grants the commission authority to serve as advisory body to state agencies, coordinate surfing-related activities, identify best practices, raise public awareness, recommend policies supporting surfing education and promotion, and accept and disburse funds from governmental and private sources.

Commission members serve four-year terms without compensation and the commission automatically ceases to exist on July 1, 2024.