Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2635 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the duties and responsibilities of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA).

The HTA and State Auditor testified in support of this measure.

Since its inception in 1998, the HTA has assumed the duties of the Office of Tourism. Therefore, this measure repeals the laws that establish the Office of Tourism and other related tourism statutes that are no longer relevant. Additionally, this measure assigns to the HTA key duties and responsibilities formerly assigned to the Office of Tourism, consistent with the recommendations of the State Auditor.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2635 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.