Report Title:

Task Force; International Affairs; Office of International Affairs

Description:

Requires DBEDT to convene a task force to address Hawaii's role in international affairs and to recommend to the legislature an organizational structure for an office of international affairs or such other structure that the task force may recommend. Appropriates funds. (HB1784 HD2)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1784

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the office of international affairs.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is necessary to expand the image of our state as more than "sun, sand, and surf." Hawaii is a place with a unique history, rooted in Hawaiian culture, and imbued with the aloha spirit. Hawaii is also a vibrant crossroads of global culture and commerce.

The legislature further finds a compelling need to convene government, higher and lower educational institutions, businesses, ethnic organizations, community organizations, and the general public to resolve the questions: "What is Hawaii's role in international affairs? How can the state use its unique characteristics to establish itself as a center for international business, education, and cultural exchange and for the promotion of world peace?"

The legislature recognizes that Hawaii has many international organizations that promote international activities, such as the East-West center, University of Hawaii, United Nations Association, ethnic chambers of commerce, State of Hawaii Sister-State Agreements, Sister-City Agreements, and others. However, most of these groups work in isolation and the legislature finds that with better coordination, they may help to fulfill King Kalakaua's aspiration to have the world recognize Hawaii diplomatically and to fulfill the late Governor John A. Burns' desire to make Hawaii the "Geneva" of the Pacific.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of

business, economic development, and tourism to convene a task

force of organizations and individuals to address the question of Hawaii's role in international affairs and to recommend to the legislature an organizational structure for an "office of international affairs" or other such structure that the task force may recommend.

In addition, this Act appropriates funds to pay for costs incurred by the task force in carrying out its duties as specified in this Act.

SECTION 2. The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall convene a task force of organizations and individuals to address the question of Hawaii's role in international affairs and to recommend to the legislature an organizational structure for an "office of international affairs" or other such structure that the task force may recommend. The members of the task force shall include but not be limited to representatives from:

(1) The University of Hawaii;

(2) The East-West center;

(3) The Asia-Pacific security studies center;

(4) The Hawaii Business Roundtable;

(5) The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii's Affiliated Chambers Committee;

(6) The Economic Development Alliance of Hawaii;

(7) The consular corps;

(8) The United States Pacific Command;

(9) The District Export Council;

(10) The Hawaii tourism authority;

(11) The Pacific Asian Affairs Council;

(12) The chair of the senate committee on energy, environment, and international affairs;

(13) The chair of the house committee on international affairs; and

(14) The CSIS/Pacific Forum.

Members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties.

SECTION 3. The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature at least twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2006.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 for costs incurred by the task force in carrying out its duties as specified in this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.