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THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY



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

 1      SECTION 1.  Findings and purpose.  The legislature
 
 2 recognizes the connection with the health of Hawai`i's
 
 3 environment and the vitality of its economy, especially its
 
 4 tourism sector.  Over 7,000,000 tourists visit our islands each
 
 5 year to experience beautiful beaches, fish and snorkel in clean
 
 6 waters, and hike in snake-free rain forests. Immediate steps are
 
 7 needed to assure that long-term funding mechanisms are in place
 
 8 so that Hawai`i's environment will be protected in the future.
 
 9 Especially critical are efforts to assure our basic necessities,
 
10 such as drinking water and our oceans, are protected and managed
 
11 for the future.  Despite the value our natural resources have to
 
12 our economy and quality of life, an alarmingly small amount is
 
13 invested each year to protect our natural capital base. Currently
 
14 the Department of Land and Natural Resources is allotted less
 
15 than one percent of the State's budget to protect and manage all
 
16 land and natural resources in the State-- the very foundation of
 
17 our island community.
 
18      As Hawai`i's population continues to grow; the number of
 
19 visitors to Hawai`i increases; and the eco-tourism and ocean
 

 
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 1 recreation industries multiply, increased public demand for
 
 2 recreational opportunities and access to natural areas will
 
 3 skyrocket.  So will user conflicts.  This calls for more
 
 4 responsive and innovative natural resource management programs,
 
 5 if both economic and preservation goals are to be achieved.  We
 
 6 must invest in and enhance our natural resource base so it can
 
 7 support existing and increasing demand for use.
 
 8      SECTION 2.  Section 201B-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
 
 9 amended to read as follows:
 
10      201B-3 Powers.  Excepted as otherwise limited by this
 
11 chapter,the board may:
 
12      (1)  Sue and be sued;
 
13      (2)  Have a seal and alter the same at pleasure;
 
14      (3)  Make and execute contracts and all other instruments
 
15 necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and
 
16 functions under this chapter, provided that the authority may
 
17 enter into contracts and agreements for a period of up to five
 
18 years;
 
19      (4) Make and alter bylaws for its organization and internal
 
20 management;
 
21      (5) Adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 with respect
 
22 to its projects, operations, properties, and facilities;
 

 
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 1      (6)  Through its executive director represent the authority
 
 2 in communications with the governor and with the legislature;
 
 3      (7)  Through its executive director appoint officers,
 
 4 agents, and employees, prescribe their duties and qualifications,
 
 5 and fix their salaries, without regard to chapters 76, 77, and
 
 6 78;
 
 7      (8)  Through its executive director purchase supplies
 
 8 equipment, or furniture;
 
 9      (9)  Through its executive director allocate the space or
 
10 spaces which are to be occupied by the authority and appropriate
 
11 staff;
 
12      (10) Engage the services of qualified persons to implement
 
13 the State's tourism marketing plan or portions thereof as
 
14 determined by the board;
 
15      (11) Engage the services of consultants on a contractual
 
16 basis for rendering professional and technical assistance and
 
17 advice;
 
18      (12) Procure insurance against any loss in connection with
 
19 its property and other assets and operations in such amounts from
 
20 such insurers as it deems desirable;
 
21      (13) Contract for, and accept gifts or grants in any form
 
22 from any public agency or any other source;
 

 
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 1      (14) Create a vision and develop a long range plan for
 
 2 tourism in Hawaii, including product development, infrastructure,
 
 3 and diversification issues;
 
 4      (15) Develop, coordinate, and implement state policies and
 
 5 directions for tourism and related activities taking into account
 
 6 the economic, social, and physical impacts of tourism on the
 
 7 State;
 
 8      (16) Develop and implement the state tourism strategic
 
 9 marketing plan, which shall be updated every three years, to
 
10 promote and market the State as a desirable visitor destination;
 
11      (17) Have a permanent, strong focus on marketing and
 
12 promotion;
 
13      (18) Conduct market-development related research as
 
14 necessary;
 
15      (19) Coordinate all agencies and advise the private sector
 
16 in the development of tourism-related activities and resources;
 
17      (20) Work to eliminate or reduce barriers to travel in order
 
18 to provide a positive and competitive business environment,
 
19 including coordinating with the department of transportation on
 
20 issues affecting airlines and air route development;
 
21      (21) Market and promote sports related activities and
 
22 events;
 

 
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 1      (22) Coordinate the development of new products with the
 
 2 public and private sectors, including the development of sports,
 
 3 culture, health, education, business and eco-tourism;
 
 4      (23) Establish a public information and educational program
 
 5 to inform the public of tourism and tourism-related problems;
 
 6      (24) Encourage the development of tourism educational,
 
 7 training, and career counseling programs;
 
 8      (25) Establish a program to monitor, investigate, and
 
 9 respond to complaints about problems resulting directly or
 
10 indirectly from the tourism industry and taking appropriate
 
11 action as necessary; [and]
 
12      (26) Fund and support, through grants and other means,
 
13 activities which promote responsible management of Hawaii's
 
14 natural resources to include, but not be limited to educational
 
15 programs, information campaigns, and direct management
 
16 activities; and
 
17      (27) Do any and all things necessary to carry out its
 
18 purposes and exercise the powers given and granted in this
 
19 chapter.
 
20      SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.
 
21      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 1999.
 
22 
 
23                           INTRODUCED BY: ________________________
 

 
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