HB 1563 Summary

• Establishes the operating budget for the fiscal biennium beginning July 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2021, for the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (BED).

• Appropriates $79 million from the Transient Accommodations Tax to the Hawaii Tourism Authority for each fiscal year (BED113).

• Appropriates funding for various economic development programs including Hawaii Technology Development Corporation ($3.35 million over two years), creative industries initiatives, aerospace office operations, and technology development grants.

• Establishes 2 new permanent positions: one Secretary for the Office of Aerospace Development and one Accountant IV for Statewide Planning and Coordination.

• Funding sources include general funds (A), special funds (B), and revolving funds (W), with total appropriations distributed across 19 separate program items during the 2019-2021 biennium.