HI HB2471

Establishes a competitive matching grant program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to fund one-time capital investments in visitor industry sustainability and climate resilience projects.

Eligible applicants include hotels, resorts, cruise ship operators, passenger terminals, and port facilities that directly support visitor transportation.

Grant funds may be used for energy efficiency retrofits, renewable energy infrastructure, water conservation systems, waste reduction projects, and climate adaptation improvements such as flood mitigation.

All grants require private-sector matching contributions, and priority is given to implementation-ready projects with measurable outcomes that leverage significant private capital.

Requires annual reports to the legislature beginning in 2027 detailing grants awarded, project types and locations, private funds leveraged, and sustainability outcomes achieved; effective July 1, 2026.