Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 176 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to repeal the badge requirement for time sharing agents.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from Pahio Resorts, Dwyer, Imanaka, Schraff, Kudo, Meyer & Fujimoto, the Bay Club Ownership Resort, Inc., All Islands Timeshare Resales, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony opposing this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Your Committee finds that the requirement to wear a badge stigmatizes the wearer and the industry in which the wearer is employed. It has been four years since the badge requirement for timeshare employees was enacted. Since that time, regulation, enforcement of laws, and industry competition has eliminated the questionable activities of the past.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 176 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.