Bill Text: HI HB1960 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 1960

HI State Legislature page for HB1960

Bill Title: Relating To An Economic Development District Planning Organization.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-03-07 - Referred to EET/WTL, WAM. [HB1960 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB1960-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1960
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PLANNING ORGANIZATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that designation of an area as an economic development district by the United States Economic Development Administration offers an opportunity to advance coordinated and locally developed goals that leverage and build upon interrelated community assets, such as its workforce, infrastructure, and housing. Designation as an economic development district fosters a lasting partnership with the United States Economic Development Administration and allows for annual federal funding to facilitate the formulation and execution of a region's comprehensive economic development strategy. The comprehensive economic development strategy is a critical document that unlocks access to federal funding under the United States Economic Development Administration's public works and economic adjustment assistance programs. The United States Economic Development Administration is substantially more likely to invest federal funds in a designated economic development district on a per capita basis than in areas that have not been designated. To that end, the establishment of a statewide economic development district is a key objective identified in the 2023 Hawaii state comprehensive economic development strategy.

The legislature further finds that the department of business, economic development, and tourism has initiated the designation process with the United States Economic Development Administration for an economic development district encompassing the State of Hawaii. The office of planning and sustainable development was named as the district organization pursuant to the requirements set forth in title 13 Code of Federal Regulations section 304.2.

The legislature also finds that pursuant to title 13 Code of Federal Regulations section 304.2(c)(3), a district organization must be assisted by a professional staff having economic development planning and coordination qualifications to conduct the activities of the district organization, including developing, managing, and supporting effective multi-level partnerships to promote intra-district cooperation, self-help, and public investment, to restore and sustain economic resilience and prosperity; carrying out economic development planning, coordination, and advisory functions to facilitate implementation of the comprehensive economic development strategy; and assisting community and economic development organizations across the State to access United States Economic Development Administration funding.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish, and appropriate moneys for, temporary positions to ensure that the office of planning and sustainable development has the necessary human resources to effectively conduct the activities of a district organization pursuant to title 13 Code of Federal Regulations part 304 to secure Hawaii's eligibility to access the substantial advantages associated with a United States Economic Development Administration-designated economic development district.

SECTION 2. There are established full-time equivalent ( FTE) temporary positions within the office of planning and sustainable development to support the activities of a district organization for a statewide economic development district; provided that the positions shall be exempt from chapters 76 and 89, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ , or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that the appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest and to meet the need provided for by this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purposes of this Act, including the hiring of necessary staff.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of planning and sustainable development for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Hawaii Economic Development District Planning Organization; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Positions; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for temporary positions within OPSD to support the activities of a district organization for a statewide economic development district. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.