STAND. COM. REP. NO.374-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2609

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water and Land Use and Tourism and Culture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2609 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE PARKS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to strengthen the State Park System by authorizing the annual transfer of up to $4,000,000 in excess moneys in the Tourism Special Fund into the State Parks Special Fund. This bill also appropriates an unspecified amount of moneys from both the Tourism Special Fund and the State Parks Special Fund to support the operation and maintenance of the State Park System during fiscal year 2002-2003.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii's Thousand Friends, Life of the Land, The Trust for Public Land, Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter, and an individual testified in support of this measure. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Hawaii Tourism Authority supported the intent of this bill. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered comments. The Hawaii Activities and Tours Association opposed this measure.

Given the recent economic downturn, some predict that there will be no surplus in the Tourism Special Fund this year. That means that the State Park System may not receive any funding during fiscal year 2002-2003. Nevertheless, this bill lays the groundwork for future infusion of needed funds to improve our State parks once Hawaii's economy improves.

Upon further consideration, your Committees have amended this bill by:

(1) Reducing the maximum amount that may be transferred annually out of the Tourism Special Fund from $4,000,000 to $2,000,000; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments to correct technical drafting errors.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land Use and Tourism and Culture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2609, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2609, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land Use and Tourism and Culture,

 

____________________________

JERRY CHANG, Chair

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EZRA KANOHO, Chair