THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

43

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE COUNTIES TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF REGULATING, LICENSING, AND ENFORCiNG BED AND BREAKFAST HOMES AND TRANSIENT VACATION UNITS AND TO IMPLEMENT POLICY REGARDING THESE TYPES OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATIONS.

 

WHEREAS, Hawaii’s thriving economy depends on the reputation of being a desirable tourist destination, providing all types of accommodations for various types of tourists; and

WHEREAS, the bed and breakfast home and transient vacation unit industry offer a home away from home setting for visitors to the islands who prefer personal services and hospitality; and

WHEREAS, the counties are not effectively addressing the issue of regulating, licensing, and enforcing these types of tourist accommodations, resulting in loss of tax revenues and placing owners of these types of tourist accommodations in a tenuous position of not knowing their future viability; and

WHEREAS, those who have been operating legal bed and breakfast homes and transient vacation units and paying their taxes deserve the peace of mind in knowing that their industry is being appropriately licensed and regulated; and

WHEREAS, the bed and breakfast home and transient vacation unit industry recognizes that the counties are the appropriate governmental entity to regulate their industry; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that the City and County of Honolulu, the County of Hawaii, the County of Maui, and the County of Kauai are requested to establish the appropriate regulatory requirements for bed and breakfast homes and transient vacation units in their respective counties, with emphasis on the funding mechanism (i.e. fees assessed) for the enforcement of county policy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the counties are requested to submit a report to the Legislature, no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2006, describing their action plans; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, the Mayor of the County of Maui, and the Mayor of the County of Kauai.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Counties; Bed and Breakfasts; Transient Vacation Units