STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3015

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2229

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2229, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SPORTS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to create the Hawaii Sports Task Force within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to plan and coordinate efforts to keep the Pro Bowl in Hawaii and to establish Hawaii as a host site for a National Football League preseason game, world-title soccer tournaments at Aloha Stadium, and mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments at Aloha Stadium, as well as other sporting and sports entertainment events.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and three individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Stadium Authority, and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that the sports industry is a multi-billion dollar industry in the United States that generates revenue in spectator fees, advertising, endorsements, media broadcast rights, and licensing.  Hawaii hosts at least ten major national and international sporting events each year, including the National Football League's Pro Bowl, Honolulu Marathon, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Molokai Hoe, XTERRA World Championship, Ironman World Championship, Maui Jim Maui Invitational, and the PGA Sony Open.  Your Committee believes that there is significant room for growth in the Hawaii sports industry and that attracting more sporting events to use Hawaii as a venue will increase visitor arrivals and expenditures.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2229, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development, Environment, and Technology,

 

 

 

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair