STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1098

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.B. No. 575

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 575, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance the safety and welfare of visitors and residents in Hawaii by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Board of Directors (Board) of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) to request the Governor to declare that a tourism emergency exists if the Board of HTA determines that an adverse effect on Hawaii's tourism industry resulting from world conflict, terrorist threat, natural disaster, or disease outbreak may result in a substantial interruption of commerce in Hawaii and adversely affect the welfare of the people;

 

     (2)  Upon the Governor's declaration that a tourism emergency exists, allowing HTA to implement measures to respond to the emergency;

 

     (3)  Establishing the Tourism Emergency Trust Fund (Trust Fund) to provide for the implementation of emergency measures to respond to the tourism emergency; and


 

     (4)  Specifying that, except for funds authorized for expenditure by the Legislature, funds in the Tourism Special Fund shall be deposited into the Trust Fund to maintain the balance of $5,000,000.

 

     The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, HTA, Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association, and The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii supported this bill.  The Tax Foundation of Hawaii submitted comments on this measure.

 

     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 H.B. No. 575, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair