STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1982

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 422

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 422 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Hawaii Tourism Authority to enter into contracts for the marketing of all uses of the Hawaii Convention Center separately from the management, use, operation, or maintenance of the facility.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association.

Your Committee finds that authorizing a management contract to be separate from a marketing contract will enable the Hawaii Tourism Authority to centralize the sales effort for all meetings, conventions, and incentives, which primarily result from customer requests that are directed to a single point of contact. Your Committee further finds that centralizing the sales effort will facilitate efficiencies in staffing, marketing, travel, and sales technology.

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. 422, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair