STAND. COM. REP. NO. 952

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1259

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Tourism and International Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Make permanent the provisions of Act 58, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, as amended, that allow the Hawaii Tourism Authority independent management and oversight over its financial operations by granting exemptions from requirements for Comptroller's supervision of accounts, publication of consolidated financial statements, approval of business and accounting forms, and deposit of funds into the tourism special fund; and

 

     (2)  Increase the allocation of funds from the tourism special fund for administrative expenses of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from Outrigger Enterprises Group.

 

     Your Committee finds that Act 58, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, as amended, was intended to enhance the operational effectiveness of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.  This measure permanently allows the Hawaii Tourism Authority to continue operations more effectively while requiring transparency, controls, and accountability for funds.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1259, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Tourism and International Affairs,

 

 

 

________________________________

GILBERT KAHELE, Chair