HI HB1230

Establishes the Hawaii Space Corporation as a public body corporate and instrumentality of the State, placed within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism for administrative purposes.

Creates a nine-member board of directors including the director of business, economic development, and tourism and the executive director of the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems as ex officio voting members, with the remaining seven members appointed by the governor based on expertise in science, engineering, finance, commerce, law, or economics.

Authorizes the corporation to develop and operate the Hawaii Space Complex as a spaceport for launching objects into space, with priority allocation of staging and launch sites to Hawaii-based businesses and those minimizing environmental effects.

Grants the corporation powers to acquire and manage properties, facilitate permit acquisition for launch sites, develop workforce training programs, enhance STEM education, and issue bonds to provide funds for corporate purposes.

Establishes a space corporation special fund receiving legislative appropriations, public and private contributions, and interest earnings, with moneys expended for operation, maintenance, and facility improvements of the complex.