STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1801-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2659

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2659, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REGENERATIVE TOURISM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Incorporate a regenerative tourism framework into the Hawaii State Planning Act by expanding objectives and policies for the tourism industry;

(2) Require the Hawaii Tourism Authority to prepare and periodically update the Tourism Functional Plan to include the updated tourism economic goals, Hawaii Tourism Authority's strategic plan, and Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan; and

(3) Require an updated Tourism Functional Plan to be submitted to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawai‘i Tourism Authority; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and one individual.

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. 2659, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair