RELATING TO TOURISM.

All positions within the Hawaii Tourism Authority are now exempt from state civil service laws, allowing more flexible hiring practices.

HTA board composition now requires at least one representative from each major county and specific expertise in tourism sectors, with a new cooling-off period for former Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau members.

New powers granted to HTA include the ability to set and collect rents for convention center facilities and acquire property without regard to certain state laws.

The HTA must now focus on regenerative tourism practices and ensure Hawaiian culture is accurately portrayed and supported in the visitor industry.

State policy now requires fostering community partnerships to protect Native Hawaiian cultural integrity and traditional knowledge.

The definition of 'convention center facility' was expanded to include various supporting structures and equipment necessary for convention center operations.

The entire act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2050, over 25 years from the current date.

Removed the two-year waiting period for former Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau board members to serve on the Hawaii Tourism Authority board of directors.

Added new exemptions for tourism-related positions including Iolani Palace custodians, Mauna Kea stewardship staff, and various tourism program positions.

Added requirements to focus on regenerative tourism practices and preserve Hawaiian culture and language in tourism operations.

Changed the Hawaii Tourism Authority board from a policy-making body to an advisory board.

Added new powers for the Hawaii Tourism Authority to acquire, develop, and operate a convention center facility.

Set the effective date of the Act to July 1, 3000.

Removed the two-year waiting period for former Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau board members to be eligible for the Hawaii Tourism Authority board.

Added requirement for the Tourism Authority to focus on regenerative tourism practices that reduce environmental impacts and support local communities.

Added authority for the Tourism Authority to acquire, develop, and operate a convention center facility.

Changed the Board of Directors classification from a policy-making body to an advisory board.

Added new policy requirements to support Hawaiian language normalization and protect Native Hawaiian cultural intellectual property.

Exempted all Hawaii Tourism Authority positions within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism from state civil service laws.

Set the effective date of the act to July 1, 3000.

Exempted all positions filled by the Hawaii Tourism Authority from state civil service law, allowing more flexible hiring practices.

Removed the two-year waiting period for former Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau board members to serve on the Hawaii Tourism Authority board.

Redefined 'convention center facility' to require that facilities reflect a 'Hawaii sense of place' and include necessary supporting structures.

Changed the Hawaii Tourism Authority board composition to require at least one representative from each major county and expertise in Hawaiian cultural practices.

Added new requirements for the Hawaii Tourism Authority to focus on regenerative tourism, protect Hawaiian culture and language, and support Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners.

Added policy requirements to minimize negative environmental and social impacts from tourism and support diverse economic sectors beyond tourism.

Set the effective date of the Act to July 1, 2050, significantly delayed from typical legislative effective dates.

All positions filled by the Hawaii Tourism Authority within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism are now exempt from state civil service laws.

The Tourism Authority Board of Directors is reclassified from a policy-making body to an advisory board, with members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker rather than including the Director of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

The Board must now appoint the President and CEO, who serves under a written contract with a term set by the Board and reports to the Governor.

New mandates require the Authority to focus on regenerative tourism, support Hawaiian culture and language, monitor tourism-related complaints, and develop emergency measures for adverse industry effects.

The Authority gains new powers to collect rents and fees for convention center use, acquire property, and develop new tourism products across multiple sectors including sports, culture, and health.

The definition of 'convention center facility' was updated to require that facilities reflect a 'Hawaii sense of place' and include necessary supporting structures.