Report Title:

Military Affairs Liaison Special Fund; Nonprofit Entity

 

Description:

Creates the military affairs liaison special fund within a nonprofit entity to support the nonprofit entity's duties as the state liaison in matters relating to the military.  Requires adjutant general, with the governor's concurrence, to select the nonprofit entity.  Appropriates funds to the special fund.  Takes effect July 1, 2020.  (HB1831 HD2)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1831

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO MILITARY AFFAIRS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the presence of the United States military in Hawaii contributes to maintaining the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.  Further, Hawaii's economy benefits from this presence in that the military expends approximately $5,600,000,000 annually in Hawaii and provides employment opportunities to approximately one hundred twenty-five thousand residents.  Next to tourism, military expenditures are currently the largest source of revenues to Hawaii's economy.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a military affairs liaison special fund to support a nonprofit entity to serve as liaison in matters relating to the military, and to provide oversight for the military's presence in Hawaii and the impact defense spending has on Hawaii's economy.

     SECTION 2.  The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

 

"Chapter

military affairs liaison

     §   ‑1  Military affairs liaison special fund; nonprofit entity; duties.  (a)  There is established the military affairs liaison special fund as a separate fund of a nonprofit entity having a board of directors and qualifying under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,  into which shall be deposited general fund appropriations.  The adjutant general, with the concurrence of the governor and in accordance with law, shall select the nonprofit entity based upon the proven record of accomplishment of the nonprofit entity in military affairs liaison in promoting and dealing with the military and administering a similar special fund.  Moneys in the special fund shall be administered by the nonprofit entity and expended for the purposes of this chapter.

     (b)  Notwithstanding that the military affairs liaison special fund is established within a private nonprofit entity, the department of budget and finance shall have oversight authority over the fund and may make periodic financial audits of the fund; provided that the director of finance may contract with a certified public accountancy firm for this purpose.  The adjutant general, with the concurrence of the governor, in their sole discretion may rescind the selection of the nonprofit entity.  If the selection of the entity is rescinded, moneys in the special fund shall revert back to the State and shall be deemed to be state general funds.

     (c)  The nonprofit entity shall serve as liaison for the State in matters relating to the military in Hawaii.  The nonprofit entity shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

     (1)  Serve as an advocate for the military and small businesses desiring to do business with the military and other federal agencies where military affairs are concerned;

     (2)  Promote a strong and viable partnership between the state and county governments and the military commands;

     (3)  Build rapport with installation commanders and military communities;

     (4)  Facilitate business-development opportunities for small businesses in defense and other federal contracting involving military or defense issues;

     (5)  Participate in discussions regarding the schooling of military children in Hawaii's public schools;

     (6)  Facilitate coordination with the state and county governments and private owners in providing the lands and resources needed by the military to fulfill its missions of defending and securing the United States against all enemies;

     (7)  Support the military in complying with federal and state laws that protect and preserve Hawaii's natural resources, cultural sites, and artifacts;

     (8)  Promote programs and activities to enhance the quality of life for military personnel and their families; and

     (9)  Expend funds from the military affairs liaison special fund for the purposes of this chapter."

     SECTION 3.  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 2009-2010 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010-2011 for deposit into the military affairs liaison special fund.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.