THE SENATE

THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2007

COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Senator Clarence K. Nishihara, Chair

Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Vice Chair

NOTICE OF HEARING

DATE:	Thursday, February 1, 2007
TIME:	1:15 p.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 229 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

SB678

RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX Exempts from the general excise tax amounts received by the operator of the Hawaii convention center for reimbursement of costs or advances made pursuant to contract with the Hawaii tourism authority.

TSG, EDT, WAM

SB750

RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX Requires the department of taxation to review the forms and process for collecting the transient accommodations tax from vacation rentals and bed and breakfast establishments and report revenues received from them. Requires department of taxation to work with Hawaii tourism authority and counties to identify owners operating vacation rentals and bed and breakfast establishments and enforce transient accommodations tax compliance.

TSG, EDT, WAM

SB1091

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR Authorizes the establishment of an investigative unit within the office of the auditor to conduct investigations involving alleged or suspected government waste, fraud, abuse, or malfeasance at the request of the legislature or upon the auditor's initiative; expands the powers of the office of the auditor; appropriates funds for the investigative unit.

TSG, WAM

SB868

RELATING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS  Prohibits ex-officio members of boards and commissions from appointment as chair of the board or commission.

TSG, JDL (pending re-referral)

SB749

RELATING TO LABOR Establishes labor representation procedures in developments in which the State or Counties have an ongoing proprietary interest.

TSG, JDL

SB779

RELATING TO THE STATE FIRE COUNCIL Creates positions to enable the state fire council to more effectively meet its responsibilities.

TSG, WAM

SB695

RELATING TO HUNTING Provides for a fee of $50 for a 3-day hunting license on a private or commercial shooting preserve with a licensed guide.

TSG, WAH

SB697

RELATING TO DESTINATION CLUBS Requires destination clubs to register with the department of commerce and consumer affairs.

TSG, CPH

Decision Making to follow, if time permits.

Persons wishing to testify should submit 25 copies of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 213, State Capitol, 24 hours prior to the hearing.  Testimony may also be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.  When faxing, please indicate to whom the testimony is being submitted, the date and time of the hearing, and the required number of copies needed for submittal.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., sign language interpreter, wheelchair accessibility, or parking designated for the disabled) please contact the committee clerk 24 hours prior to the hearing so arrangements can be made.

Public Folder.  A folder labeled “Public Folder” containing the measures and testimonies for the hearing will be available for shared use by members of the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6729

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Senator Clarence K. Nishihara

Chair