HB 862 Summary

• Establishes the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems within the University of Hawaii at Hilo with a nine-member board of directors and executive director to oversee aerospace-related activities and education programs.

• Transfers the Challenger Center Hawaii program from the office of aerospace development to the Department of Education, including all associated budget, employees, equipment, and records.

• Authorizes counties to establish a county transient accommodations tax at rates not exceeding 3% and reduces state transient accommodations tax allocation to the convention center enterprise special fund from $16.5 million to $11 million.

• Repeals the tourism special fund effective January 1, 2022, removes compensation limits for the Hawaii Tourism Authority president and chief executive officer, and removes HTA's exemption from the public procurement code.

• Appropriates $60 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds for the Hawaii Tourism Authority for fiscal year 2021-2022.