HI HB998

Establishes the Hawaii Economic Development District Planning Organization within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, attached to the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development for administrative purposes.

Creates a 15-member governing board composed of the Director of the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development (chair), the four county mayors, four county economic development board executive directors, four county workforce development board representatives, the University of Hawaii president, and one labor organization representative appointed by the governor.

Authorizes the planning organization to develop multi-level partnerships, support organizations in applying for U.S. Economic Development Administration funding, implement the approved comprehensive economic development strategy, and present annual updates to the governor and legislature.

Establishes two full-time exempt economic development planning analyst positions to support the planning organization.

Appropriates $200,000 for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to carry out the Act's purposes, including staff hiring; takes effect July 1, 2023.