HI HB1239

Establishes a Tourism Liaison Officer position within the Office of the Governor, appointed by the governor without regard to civil service requirements and not subject to public employee union agreements.

Tourism Liaison Officer duties include serving as liaison with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; advising on long-term tourism strategy; developing tourism-related legislation; defining performance measures for tourism authority; coordinating tourism investments; and establishing international relationships with Asia-Pacific partners.

Officer may utilize services of state tourism agencies and seek available funding sources including grants to carry out assigned duties.

Appropriates an unspecified amount from general revenues for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to fund one full-time equivalent position within the Office of the Governor.

Effective date is June 30, 3000 (appears to be a drafting error).