Appropriates $150,000 for fiscal years 2001 and 2002 for the Future Flight Hawaii Space Camp Program.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that House Resolution No. 96, H.D.1, 2000, requested the Hawaii Space Grant College in conjunction with the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the department of business, economic development and tourism to study the possibility of expanding the Future Flight Space Camp Program on the Big Island.

The results of the study show that Future Flight of Hawaii has a solid base of support from Hawaii Space Grant (federally funded) and an equal amount of revenue from tuition. To continue to function it needs a subsidy of $82,600. The program could be expanded so more children could benefit each year. Tripling the number of weeks of all programs would require only an additional $29,000 per week, for a total subsidy of $140,600. An analysis of income and population indicates that there would be plenty of students interested and able to afford to attend Future Flight.

This Act is in response to the positive report made by Hawaii Space Grant College, the University of Hawaii, and the department of business, economic development and tourism.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $150,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for the Future Flight Hawaii Space Camp Program on the island of Hawaii; provided that the appropriations shall be contingent upon the program receiving matching funds from the Hawaii tourism authority.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.