Report Title:

Office of International Relations; Established

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for an office of international relations under the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1473

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to international relations.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the "New Economy" is a knowledge- and idea-based economy where the key to higher standards of living and job creation is the extent to which innovative ideas and technologies are embedded in services, products, and manufacturing processes. Its characteristics include an increase in knowledge-based jobs, higher levels of entrepreneurial dynamism and competition, faster times to market, increased product and service diversity, constant technological innovation, globalization, the replacement of hierarchical organization structures with networked learning organizations, and relentless economic churning. As Hawaii embarks on its aggressive economic agenda, it is imperative that our entrepreneurs, investors, and business have the necessary tools to prosper in the New Economy.

The legislature further finds now more than ever that Hawaii's public policies and legislative initiatives must foster not only a positive business climate, but provide the necessary building blocks for competing in the New Economy. Workforce development, investing in our public schools and the University of Hawaii, creation of business incentives to further investment in high-technology companies, ensuring availability of investment capital, and modernizing government operations are essential acts that need to be further developed. The result will be an economic infrastructure and culture that breeds innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, creativity, and knowledge-based jobs that ultimately lead to higher wages, enhanced quality of life, and economic prosperity for Hawaii.

The purpose of this Act is to establish an office of international relations to form, nurture, and maintain a network of international economic relationships to create new economic opportunities for Hawaii's businesses.

SECTION 2. Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part . office of INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

§201-A Definitions. As used in this part:

"Director" means the director of the office of international relations.

"Office" means the office of international relations.

§201-B Office of international relations; established. (a) There is established an office of international relations in the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

(b) The director shall have experience, knowledge, and expertise in international relations. The director shall be nominated and appointed by the governor as provided in section 26-34.

(c) The director shall hire staff necessary to carry out the purposes of this part.

(d) The director and employees of the office shall be included in any benefit program generally applicable to the officers and employees of the State.

§201-C Powers and duties of director. (a) In addition to any other powers and duties provided in this part, the director shall:

(1) Track international policy and its impact on Hawaii;

(2) Monitor international events and organizations;

(3) Inventory and aggregate the State's resources on international relations;

(4) Develop programs that assist and encourage international activities of business, nonprofit, academic, and other organizations;

(5) Advocate the State's international relations policies to the federal government, and other state and foreign governments and entities; and

(6) Perform other necessary or desirable functions to facilitate the intent of this section as instructed by the governor.

(b) In carrying out the duties of this section, the director shall seek and utilize any available funding sources, including grant moneys.

(c) The director shall submit an annual report to the legislature no less than twenty days prior to the start of each regular session on such issues as the director finds significant in the State's efforts to create and improve international relationships."

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 2003-2004, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the establishment of the office of international relations, including salaries, as provided in section 2 of this Act. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________