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. 2859, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the governor to convene a working group to study the feasibility of establishing a multi-purpose international equestrian facility.

Specifically, the measure requires that:

1. The working group include representatives of named relevant state agencies; the city and county of Honolulu; and public members who represent all stakeholders in the equestrian community;
2. The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism shall provide staff and supporting services to the working group;
3. The working group review and consider a number of specific issues; and
4. The working group submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the start of the regular session of 2005.

Your Committee finds that the establishment of an international equestrian facility in Hawaii that provides facilities and services for residents, mainland, and international visitors seems to have the potential for a broad-ranging positive impact on our State. The facility would not only benefit the local, national, and international equestrian communities for learning, training, and competition, but also would provide much needed economic development. A multi-purpose equestrian facility could provide a variety of job opportunities for residents. The facility also is envisioned to include vocational and habilitative programs to benefit disabled and at-risk persons by interacting with horses.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill to:

1. Provide representatives on the working group from each county, instead of only the city and county of Honolulu; and
2. Change the effective date of the bill from January 1, 2005 to July 1, 2004, to enable the working group to submit its report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the start of the regular session of 2005.

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. 2859, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2859, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.