THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2446
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to visitor impacts.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that an ever increasing number of visitors can negatively impact the quality of life of Hawaii residents by straining the State's infrastructure and natural resources. The legislature further finds that, although the Hawaii tourism authority advocates for a high quality tourism experience and increased revenue generation by visitors instead of increased numbers of visitors, the number of annual visitors to the State has steadily risen over time. Between 2009 and 2016, the total number of annual visitors increased every year, from 6,517,054 in 2009 to 8,821,802 in 2016, with the number of annual visitors projected to reach 9,562,109 in 2018 and 9,847,610 in 2020.

The purpose of this Act is to support the State's tourism industry by allocating an appropriate portion of the Hawaii tourism authority's budget to the protection and enhancement of the State's infrastructure and natural resources.

SECTION 2. Chapter 201B, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§201B-   Hawaii tourism authority budget allocations. (a) If, in any fiscal year:

(1) The total number of visitor arrivals to the State exceeds ten million; or

(2) The total number of visitor arrivals to any county exceeds 6,500,000,

fifteen per cent of the Hawaii tourism authority's budget, including any transient accommodations tax revenues to be allocated and expended pursuant to section 237D-6.5(b)(5), for the following fiscal year shall be distributed pursuant to subsection (c) to support public infrastructure and natural resources.

(b) In addition to the distribution pursuant to subsection (a), five per cent of the Hawaii tourism authority's budget, multiplied by the greater of:

(1) The number of increments of 500,000 visitor arrivals in excess of ten million visitor arrivals in the State; or

(2) The number of increments of 125,000 visitor arrivals in excess of 6,500,000 visitor arrivals in any county, shall be distributed pursuant to subsection (c); provided that the total distribution amount shall not exceed forty-five per cent of the Hawaii tourism authority's budget in that fiscal year.

(c) Moneys subject to distribution under subsections (a) and (b) shall be distributed as follows:

(1) Fifty per cent shall be transferred to the general fund of the State of Hawaii to be expended by the department of land and natural resources to conserve natural resources that are or may be affected by increased numbers of visitors; and

(2) Fifty per cent shall be distributed among the counties in proportion to the number of visitor arrivals in each county, with individuals who visit multiple counties counting as a visitor arrival in each county visited, to be expended to develop and support infrastructure that is or may be affected by increased numbers of visitors."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii Tourism Authority; Visitor Arrivals; Natural Resources; Infrastructure

Description:

Requires that a percentage of the Hawaii tourism authority's budget be transferred to the department of land and natural resources and the counties if the number of visitor arrivals in the State exceeds ten million, or if the number of visitor arrivals in any county exceeds 6.5 million.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.