STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3010

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2659

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2659, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to reduce the negative impacts of tourism in the State.

Specifically, this measure:

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

(2) Requires 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) Requires an updated Tourism Functional Plan to be submitted to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committee finds that the incorporation of a regenerative tourism framework into state planning objectives and policies will help to maintain a high-quality visitor experience while counterbalancing many of the social, economic, and environmental impacts of tourism.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2659, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair