STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1843

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.R. No. 161

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 Economic Development, to which was referred H.R. No. 161 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE MAYORS AND COUNCILS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, COUNTY OF MAUI, COUNTY OF HAWAII, AND COUNTY OF KAUAI TO ESTABLISH BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Mayors and Councils of the City and County of Honolulu, County of Maui, County of Hawaii, and County of Kauai to establish business improvement districts within their respective counties.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that special improvement districts, also known as business improvement districts, are economic development organizations that bring public services to certain neighborhoods to provide governmental public services. Business improvement districts are approved by state legislation, funded by assessment fees paid by merchants and property owners within the district, and are managed by public or nonprofit boards, which include local business, area resident, and local government representation. Your Committee notes that the State has business improvement districts in Chinatown, Fort Street Mall, and Waikiki on Oahu and Hilo and Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island, which have improved services that are provided by the municipality and increased the quality and efficiency of outcomes usually required of businesses. Your Committee believes that the establishment of additional business improvement districts throughout the State can increase the vitality and attractiveness of the communities they serve.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Mayors and Councils of the City and County of Honolulu, County of Maui, County of Hawaii, and County of Kauai are urged to establish business improvement districts as special improvement districts within their respective counties;

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; 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 Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 161, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 161, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development,

____________________________

DANIEL HOLT, Chair