STAND. COM. REP. NO.  764

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 332

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 332 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to further assist Hawaii's tourism industry by authorizing the Hawaii Tourism Authority to enter into grant agreements for the development of visitor industry products and programs, including cultural programs, community-based tourism activities, such as festivals and events, environmental projects and other appropriate activities.

While exempting the grants from the requirements of Hawaii's grants and subsidies law, this measure provides grant making safeguards, including grant application criteria and review and performance monitoring requirements.

     The Hawaii Tourism Authority and a concerned individual supported this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Defining the term "grant";

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to promote further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 332, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 332, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair