Requires selection of public lands as the site for a multi-purpose sports complex with a world trade office and industrial complex. Establishes the area as an enterprise zone.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the development of a multi-purpose sports complex and world trade office and industrial complex would enhance the State's economy by stimulating tourism and attracting venture capital to Hawaii.

The legislature envisions a privately-built and operated sports complex that can accommodate all major sports, including track and field, soccer, baseball, football, basketball, and equestrian events. A training facility within the sports complex would enable the State to attract world-class athletes with whom local athletes could train. A training facility would also allow Hawaii to qualify for a professional sports franchise and attract tourists wanting to attend professional sporting events.

A world trade office and industrial complex would house new and developing businesses in the Pacific Region and provide facilities for the expansion of the computer technology and communication industries in the State. By establishing these activities within an enterprise zone, qualified businesses would enjoy tax relief for up to seven years.

Under Act 328, Session Laws of Hawaii 1997, the legislature appropriated funds for the planning and construction of a state sports recreational complex on Oahu on a site to be selected by the department of accounting and general services.

The purposes of this Act are to designate the department of business, economic development, and tourism as the implementing agency; mandate that approximately 3,000 acres of public lands be used as the site for a multi-purpose sports complex and world trade office and industrial complex; and establish the area as an enterprise zone.

SECTION 2. Section 209E-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§209E-4 Enterprise zone designation. (a) The governing body of any county may apply in writing to the department of accounting and general services to have an area declared to be an enterprise zone. The application shall include a description of the location of the area or areas in question, and a general statement identifying proposed local incentives to complement the state and any federal incentives.

(b) The governor, upon the recommendation of the director, shall approve the designation of up to six areas in each county as enterprise zones for a period of twenty years. Any such area shall be located in one United States census tract or two or more contiguous United States census tracts in accordance with the most recent decennial United States Census. The census tract or tracts within which each enterprise zone is located also shall meet at least one of the following criteria:

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), census tract #405 within the county of Kauai shall be eligible for designation as an enterprise zone. The eligibility for designation shall remain in effect until January 1, 1997, unless the governor earlier determines that the eligibility is no longer necessary.

(d) Notwithstanding subsection (b) or (c), only lands classified as agricultural in the Waialua district on Oahu, as defined in section 4-1(3)(D), shall be designated an enterprise zone on July 1, 1997, and the designation shall remain in effect until June 30, 2002.

(e) Notwithstanding subsection (b), (c), or (d), lands selected by the department of business, economic development, and tourism as the site for a multi-purpose sports complex and world trade office and industrial complex under section 3 of Act   , Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, shall be designated an enterprise zone. The designation shall remain in effect until the governor determines that the eligibility is no longer necessary."

SECTION 3. The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall select appropriate public lands not to exceed 3,500 acres, as the site for a multi-purpose sports complex which shall be constructed and operated by a private entity. The designated public lands may also be used for the construction of a world trade office and industrial complex. In choosing a site, the department of business, economic development, and tourism shall take into consideration the accessibility, size, and shape of the site, industrial and agricultural nuisances, infrastructure requirements, soil suitability, weather, proximity to hotels or other housing, interference with institutions or other public facilities, proximity to commercial centers, aesthetic values, and other relevant factors. The department of business, economic development, and tourism shall assist the private entity selected to construct and operate the complex in identifying and securing any state approvals and permits that the project may require.

SECTION 4. In printing this Act, the revisor of statutes shall insert the number of this Act in the blank space following the word Act in section 209E-4(e), Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.