STAND. COM. REP. NO.  823-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2229

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2229, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SPORTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to strengthen and diversify Hawaii's economy through the promotion of sporting events.  Specifically, this measure creates the Hawaii Sports Task Force to plan and coordinate efforts to:

     (1)  Keep the National Football League's annual Pro Bowl in Hawaii;

     (2)  Establish Aloha Stadium as a host site for a National Football League pre-season game, world-title soccer tournaments, mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments, and other international sporting events; and

     (3)  Establish and maintain Hawaii as a host site for other sporting and sports entertainment events statewide including but not limited to golf tournaments, kickboxing events, professional wrestling events, motor-cross races, tennis tournaments, beach volleyball tournaments, sailboat races, marathons, triathlons, and cycling events.

Two concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Stadium Authority, Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association and Grassroot Institute of Hawaii provided comments.  

     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. 2229, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair