STAND. COM. REP. 3228
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2004
RE: H.B. No. 2061
H.D. 2
S.D. 1
Honorable Robert Bunda
President of the Senate
Twenty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2004
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2061, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to establish an Aloha Aina Patrol in each of the four counties under the jurisdiction of the respective county police departments.
The Aloha Aina Patrol would consist of police cadets and police service officers assigned to popular Hawaii parks and beaches to provide security and peace-of-mind to visitors and residents alike. The Patrol would augment normal police services and provide added security to areas suggested by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The Patrol would also serve as ambassadors of Aloha and goodwill and emphasize and perpetuate the Aloha Spirit. The Patrol would be financed by up to $1,000,000 from the Tourism Special Fund.
In addition to providing funding for the Aloha Aina Patrol, the bill:
(1) Removes the $31,000,000 Transient Accommodations Tax cap reserved for the Convention Center Enterprise Special Fund, the excess above the cap is presently transferred to the general fund;
(2) Provides a blank percentage for Transient Accommodations Tax proceeds earmarked for the Tourism Special Fund;
(3) Raises the ceiling amount dedicated to the Tourism Special Fund from the Transient Accommodations Tax by $1,000,000 for the Aloha Aina Patrol and provides a blank appropriation from the Tourism Special Fund for the purposes of the Patrol;
(4) Provides a blank percentage of the Transient Accommodations Tax reserved for the Transient Accommodations Tax Trust Fund; and
(5) Requires distribution of the Transient Accommodations Tax four times annually on the first day of January, April, July, and October.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2061, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair |
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