HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIL 179 Draft 01 2024-2026 .JMtY,oF,.y....
COUNTY OF HAWAII •` `- 'I• STATE OF HAWAII
7*OF NF'�
BILL NO. 179
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ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE HAWAI`I COUNTY CODE 1983
(2016 EDITION,AS AMENDED),RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I:
SECTION 1. Chapter 2, article 8, of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as
amended)is hereby repealed.
SECTION 2. Chapter 2 of the Hawai`i County Code 1983 (2016 Edition, as amended) is
amended by adding an article to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:
"Article_. Department of Research and Development.
Section 2-_ Duties and responsibilities.
The director of research and development shall have the responsibility to:
(1) Collect, compile, and make publicly accessible data, statistics, and other
information related to the County, as requested by the mayor or the council to
support managerial or legislative decision-making;
(2) On behalf of the County, identify and pursue funding opportunities related to
economic development from public or private entities,with particular
attention to periods of economic disruption or decline;
(3) Provide the public with technical assistance and information on resources,
grants, services, and opportunities,whether public or private, relating to:
(A) Any economic sector identified in paragraph(4);
(B) Entrepreneurship and small business development;
(C) The advancement or implementation of projects or priorities in
alignment with the goals and policies of the County as set forth in the
general plan, community development plans, or the Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy; and
(D) Other areas the director determines to be in the public interest and the
best interest of the County;
(4) Support economic and workforce development across the following sectors
within the County, including but not limited to:
(A) Creative and performing arts;
(B) Cultural perpetuation;
(C) Education;
(D) Film and entertainment;
(E) Energy;
(F) Health and well-being;
(G) Science and technology;
(H) Regenerative tourism; and
(I) Agriculture.
(5) Provide support to the Hawai`i County Workforce Development Board,
including administrative assistance as may be necessary to carry out the
board's functions; and
(6) Ensure that the aforementioned responsibilities are carried out in a manner
that is geographically and economically equitable across the County.
Section 2-_. Community-based economic development and financial assistance
programs.
(a) The director shall administer one or more grant programs to support economic
sectors in section 2-_(4),with a focus on entrepreneurship, small business
development,workforce initiatives, and implementation of County plans and
priorities.
(b) Any grant awards made under this section are subject to article 25.
(c) No fewer than one million dollars shall be appropriated annually to the community-
based economic development program. In the event of an economic downturn or
reduced County revenues,the director of finance may recommend a reduced annual
appropriation.
Section 2-_. Administrative rules.
The director of research and development may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91
necessary for the purposes of this article."
SECTION 3. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application thereof
to any person or circumstance, is held invalid,the invalidity does not affect other provisions or
applications of this ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are severable.
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SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
,t ASHL Y KIE CZ
HOLEKA INABA
Council Member
,Hawai`i
Date of Introduction:
Date of 1st Reading:
Date of 2nd Reading:
Effective Date:
REFERENCE Comm. 984
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