STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2986

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 

 

RE:     S.B. No. 2696

        S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2696, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GREEN FEES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require and appropriate moneys for the Office of Planning's preparation of a feasibility and implementation plan to assess tourism green fees on a per visitor, per stay basis.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Planning, Kohala Coast Resort Association, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines, Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, and four individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee finds that natural resources are an essential part of the State's tourism industry, which supports our economy.  Your Committee also finds, however, that Hawaii's natural resources are in a state of decline due to inadequate investment in conservation efforts.  Your Committee further finds merit in researching the feasibility of imposing tourism green fees upon visitors, to be used by governmental entities to support conservation and natural resource management.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying the purpose of the advisory group;

 

     (2)  Specifying that the Director of the Office of Planning shall serve as the Chair of the advisory group;

 

     (3)  Clarifying the composition of the advisory group; and

 

     (4)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2696, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2696, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair