HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1473

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

making an appropriation for the university of hawaii intercollegiate athletic program.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the intercollegiate athletics programs of the University of Hawaii are unique when compared to athletic programs at other institutions.  The legislature further finds that the community places a high value on and takes much pride in the intercollegiate athletics program of the University of Hawaii.  All teams and individuals competing for the University of Hawaii have dedicated fans who enjoy the efforts of the athletes and entertainment of sports contests.  In contemporary society, intercollegiate athletics receive much publicity and media coverage, and the participation of the University of Hawaii in various sports increases the exposure of people on the continental United States and in foreign countries to the State of Hawaii.  University of Hawaii athletes are also "Ambassadors of Aloha" when they travel out-of-state, and athletes have an opportunity to uniquely and authentically represent Hawaii.  University of Hawaii games and events that are televised nationally and internationally are also important marketing tools to attract visitors to the State and showcase a premier higher education institution.  The family, friends, and supporters of visiting schools often accompany the teams and stay for an extended time after the games.

     The costs for University of Hawaii at Manoa student-athletes to travel to the continental United States are high because of the distance traveled.  Moreover, the university must subsidize the travel expenses of some visiting teams that come to Hawaii.  Lastly, the scholarship costs are higher at the University of Hawaii at Manoa when compared to comparable schools because its athletic program has a higher percentage of nonresident student-athletes.  In total, the athletics costs of the University of Hawaii at Manoa are $5,200,000 higher than its peer institutions.  As a result, rather than competing in collegiate athletics on a level playing field with its peers, University of Hawaii at Manoa athletics is at a competitive disadvantage because a significant portion of its budget must be used to offset costs that other athletic programs do not have.  The University of Hawaii at Manoa's athletic program should not be put at a competitive disadvantage in relation to the institutions that it competes against when representing the State of Hawaii.

     Athletics at the University of Hawaii at Hilo is a source of great pride to the community of Hilo and the island of Hawaii.  There is a vibrant history of connection between the community and the university's "Vulcan" athletics.  Not only is Vulcan athletics a source of community activity, it is also a key component of the overall student life experience for the diverse campus student-body in Hilo.  Athletics at the University of Hawaii at Hilo is a significant economic driver to the island of Hawaii's economy by bringing in visiting teams that translates into thousands of team members and their families to the island each year alone.  Such activity positively benefits the local hotels, restaurants, airlines, car rental agencies, and other small businesses.  University of Hawaii at Hilo athletics produces great community and economic benefits to the island of Hawaii, neighbor island communities, and the State of Hawaii.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the intercollegiate athletic program of the University of Hawaii to offset higher costs unique to the university's athletic program when compared to its peer institutions.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the intercollegiate athletic program of the University of Hawaii.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Funding for the University of Hawaii Intercollegiate Athletic Program; Appropriations

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii Intercollegiate Athletic Program.

 

 

 

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