STAND. COM. REP. NO. 25

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 369

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 369 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve certain state facilities by increasing the allocation of funds from transient accommodations tax revenue to the Special Land and Development Fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kohala Coast Resort Association, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Chairperson of the County of Maui Council.

Your Committee finds that the historically large number of visitors to the State has placed strain on state facilities, such as parks, trails, small boat harbors, and natural areas that are operated and maintained by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. This measure attempts to sustain the State's natural resources by offsetting the impacts of the consumption, access, and impact to the State's unique natural and cultural resources.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Providing the Department of Land and Natural Resources flexibility by not limiting the types of natural resources that can benefit from the Special Land and Development Fund;

(2) Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 369, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 369, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Labor & Tourism.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair