STAND. COM. REP. NO. 838

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 1286

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1286, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAVEL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a statewide uniform law regarding mandatory self-quarantine rules and requirements. Specifically, this measure:

(1) Exempts any person from post-arrival mandatory self‑quarantine if the person receives a negative test result prior to arrival;

(2) Specifies that any person who does not obtain a negative test result prior to arrival in the State will be responsible for all costs associated with that person's mandatory self-quarantine and isolation;

(3) Authorizes the Governor to establish conditions for exemptions;

(4) Requires certain COVID-19 tests for travelers who do not have a test result upon arrival; and

(5) Specifies that the statewide uniform law regarding mandatory self-quarantine rules and requirements cannot be suspended except by the adoption of a concurrent resolution by the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Food Industry Association; Retail Merchants of Hawaii; Roberts Hawaii, Inc.; Barrel and BBQ LLC; Ala Muku Vacation Rentals; Enterprise Holdings; Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce; Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association; Sheraton Kauai Resort; Airlines for America; Napili Kai Beach Resort; Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club; Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk; Imanaka Asato; Prince Waikiki Hotel & Hawaii Prince Golf Club; Waikīkī Improvement Association; Springboard Hospitality; HIGHGATE Hotels in Hawaii; The Laylow; Waikiki Resort Hotel; T S Restaurants; The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach; and nine individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one member of the Maui County Council, Hawai‘i Doctors Pandemic Advisory Committee, Pono Hawai‘i Initiative, Maui Chamber of Commerce, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Waikiki Neighborhood Board, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Knights of Aloha, and three individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1286, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair