STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1392

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   H.R. No. 99

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.R. No. 99 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO EXAMINE IF AND HOW OTHER STATES REGULATE TOUR OPERATORS WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to examine how other states regulate commercial tour operators.

 

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

 

Your Committee finds that tourism is the largest single contributor to the State's economy, consisting of twenty-one percent of Hawaii's gross domestic product.  Your Committee also finds that it is in the best interest of the State to protect the safety of its visitors and residents.  However, in recent years, tour guides have been charged with trespassing, reckless endangering, and conducting other illegal activities in natural area reserves.  This measure will help to provide valuable information on how other states regulate tour operators, which will be helpful in determining whether any applicable, affordable, and successful models may be adopted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to regulate tour operators.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 99 and recommends its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair