STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1956

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 304

S.D. 2

H.D. 3

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 304, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VISITOR IMPACT FEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning July 1, 2025, establish a Visitor Impact Fee Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to collect a fee for a license to visit a state park, forest, hiking trail, or other state natural area;

(2) Establish and appropriate funds into and out of the Visitor Impact Special Fund for the Visitor Impact Fee Strategic Plan;

(3) Require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to report to the Legislature on the creation and implementation of the Visitor Impact Fee Strategic Plan; and

(4) Appropriate funds for positions to administer the Visitor Impact Fee Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor; Department of the Attorney General; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation Commission; Hawai‘i Tourism Authority; He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve; Surfrider Foundation, Maui Chapter; Hui Maka‘āinana o Makana; Kohola Film Project; Kauai Women's Caucus; Kauai Farm Planning; Surfrider Foundation, O‘ahu Chapter; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Pacific Whale Foundation; Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association; Imua Alliance; Maui Hotel & Lodging Association; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kohala Coast Resort Association, Conservation International, Kanu Hawai‘i, Kua‘āina Ulu ‘Auamo, Kupu, Surfrider Foundation Hawai‘i, The Nature Conservancy, Hawai‘i Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development, Sustainable Coastlines Hawai‘i, Blue Planet Foundation, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, Hawai‘i Forest & Trail, Trust for Public Land, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Hawai‘i Youth Climate Coalition, Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations, National Tropical Botanical Garden, Young Progressives Demanding Action, The Conservationist Collective, Pono Hawai‘i Initiative, Wild Kids, Parley for the Oceans, Reuse Hawai‘i, Resources Legacy Fund, Mālama Pupukea-Waimea, Hawai‘i Land Trust, Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project, Kuleana Coral Restoration, Zero Waste Hawai‘i Island, Travel2Change, Mālama Maunalua, Kailua Beach Adventures, Good Food Movement, Care About Climate, Protea Zero Waste Store, Agripelago, Native Ecosystem Services, Delphi Cinema, Keep it Simple Honolulu, North Shore Community Land Trust, Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund, Kingdom Pathways, Kokonut Koalition, Excurinsure, Kokua Foundation, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, FM3 Research, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the visitor impact fee to an unspecified amount.

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 S.B. No. 304, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 304, S.D. 2, H.D. 3.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair