HI HB538

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 provide policymaking and oversight; members serve without compensation but receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses.

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

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

Appropriates unspecified funding from general revenues for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for the council's operations; effective July 1, 2019.