STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1284

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  S.C.R. No. 206
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was
referred S.C.R. No. 206 entitled:

     "SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF
     BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM AND THE
     DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, TO SEEK THE
     CREATION OF A MULTI-PURPOSE SPORTS COMPLEX,"

begs leave to report as follows:
     
     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of
Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) and the
Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), to identify
suitable lands on Oahu, solicit proposals, and seek appropriate
legislative approvals for the creation of a multi-purpose sports
complex.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the DBEDT, DLNR, Hawaii International Motor Speedway, the
Hawaiian Jockey Club, and one individual.  The Department of the
Attorney General, the Honolulu Police Department, the Hawaiian
Humane Society, the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),
the Hawai`i Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, and one
individual testified against the inclusion of horse racing.

     Your Committee finds that for Hawaii to succeed in an
increasingly competitive tourism market, expansion and
diversification of the activities available for visitors are
critical factors.  Sports is one of the areas that has tremendous
potential and is a major focus for future development.  As such,

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1284
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the development of a sports complex capable of sustaining
professional sports would be beneficial to both residents and
visitors alike.

     Your Committee has also heard a number of concerns raised
regarding the inclusion of "horse racing, and others" as part of
the proposed sports complex activities.  Testimony reflected the
concerns that horse racing and pari-mutuel betting are linked,
and that "other" sports could include cockfighting and dog
racing.

     Your Committee is supportive of the concept of a multi-
purpose sports complex, and the benefits it would provide to the
State.  Your Committee has amended this measure to:

     (1)  Amend its title to read:

          "URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
          AND THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,
          AND TOURISM TO SEEK THE CREATION OF A MULTI-PURPOSE
          SPORTS COMPLEX"; and

     (2)  Make DLNR the lead agency, with assistance from DBEDT,
          in identifying suitable state lands.

     Your Committee wishes to point out, however, that the
members believe the issues raised regarding horse racing and
gambling merit further discussion.  Your Committee has therefore
retained this language in the Concurrent Resolution for
additional consideration by the Committee on Ways and Means.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this
report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of
S.C.R. No. 206, as amended herein, and recommends that it be
referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached
hereto as S.C.R. No. 206, S.D. 1.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Economic
                                   Development,



                                   ______________________________
                                   LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

 
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