STAND. COM. REP. NO.  269

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2023

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1239

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 1239 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TOURISM,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the position of the Tourism Liaison Officer within the Office of the Governor.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association and Kohala Coast Resort Association.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

     Your Committee finds that the tourism industry is one of the State's top economic drivers and a significant generator of revenue.  However, your Committee notes that public discourse and perception have grown more critical of the increasing number of visitors and its impact on the State's resources and residents.  Your Committee believes that the importance of the tourism industry on the State's revenue and the need to address public concern necessitate establishing a cabinet-level position to coordinate efforts among the tourism industry, government agencies, and the community.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  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 Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1239, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1239, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SEAN QUINLAN, Chair