Report Title:

State Parks; Funding

 

Description:

Sets forth a funding mechanism that directly links the state park system's operating and maintenance expenditures to income derived from tourists. Removes provision that allows proceeds from the transient accommodations tax to go to the State Parks Special Fund. Makes an appropriation of $4,000,000 out of the State Parks Special Fund for fiscal years 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. (SB1169 HD2)

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1169

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 2


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to state parks.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes the connection between Hawaii's state park system and tourism. Over seven million tourists visit our islands each year to enjoy our great outdoors, including the natural beauty and the cultural treasures that comprise much of the state park system. In the past, the nexus between the state park system and the tourism sector was unclear, as most state parks are not in proximity with resort destinations. However, the allure of our islands to tourists depends heavily on ancillary facilities such as shopping and entertainment venues, cultural and natural attractions, as well as Hawaii's state parks.

The recent and prolonged economic malaise has, as in most other government programs, severely limited the ability of the state park system to properly maintain the heavily used and often aged state park facilities. This neglect has often led to complaints from visitors about the deteriorated condition of our state parks.

To better provide for the recreational needs of our visitors, the legislature believes that a portion of the transient accommodations tax which is paid by tourists, should be earmarked to supplement the operating costs of the state park system. In this way, a link is created between the cost of maintaining the state park system and its use by visitors to our State.

SECTION 2. Section 184-3.4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) There is established within the state treasury a fund to be known as the state parks special fund. All proceeds collected by the state parks programs involving park user fees, any leases or concession agreements, the sale of any article purchased from the department to benefit the state parks programs, [or] any gifts or contributions, or legislative appropriations shall be deposited into this fund; provided that proceeds derived from the operation of Iolani Palace shall be used to supplement its educational and interpretive programs."

SECTION 3. There is transferred from the tourism special fund, to the state parks special fund, $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2001-2002 and $4,000,000 in fiscal year 2002-2003.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the state parks special fund the sums of $4,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002 and $4,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003 for the purpose of the state parks special fund.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.