HI SB1296

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 OPSD director (chair), four county mayors, four county economic development board executives, four county workforce development board representatives, the University of Hawaii president, and one labor organization representative.

Assigns the organization to develop partnerships, assist with funding applications, implement the U.S. Economic Development Administration-approved comprehensive economic development strategy, and present annual updates to the governor and legislature.

Authorizes temporary exempt economic development planning analyst positions to support the organization, hired without regard to civil service requirements, with compensation from general revenues.

Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to implement the Act and hire necessary staff; effective date listed as June 30, 3000.