§201-72.7 Hawaii unmanned aerial systems test site chief operating officer. [(a)] The department shall hire a chief operating officer who shall manage the operations of Hawaii's unmanned aerial systems test site. The chief operating officer shall:

(1) Monitor, oversee, and recommend operations of unmanned aerial systems test site activities;

(2) Facilitate opportunities for public and private use of unmanned aerial systems test site facilities;

(3) Assist unmanned aerial systems test ranges;

(4) Leverage aerospace and related technological capabilities in the State's academic, public, and private sectors to support testing and evaluation at Hawaii's unmanned aerial systems test ranges;

(5) Promote innovative education and workforce development programs to enhance public awareness of the benefits and opportunities that unmanned aerial systems technologies and applications can bring to the State;

(6) Monitor national and global trends in unmanned aerial systems development and testing, and recommend policies and programs to advance unmanned aerial systems testing in Hawaii;

(7) Establish and maintain a public website with updated information on the program and provide information on the Hawaii unmanned aerial systems test site initiative;

(8) Contract for services and implement agreements, subject to chapter 103D, as may be necessary to conduct operations at Hawaii's unmanned aerial systems test ranges;

(9) Serve as Hawaii's representative on the Pan-Pacific Unmanned Aerial Systems Test Range Complex management team; and

(10) Submit an annual report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session, which shall include the status of work, expenditures, and trends regarding Hawaii's unmanned aerial systems test site.

[(b)] The chief operating officer may employ one administrative assistant for Hawaii's unmanned aerial systems test site operations and activities. [L 2015, c 208, pt of §2]