STAND. COM. REP. NO. 135

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 803

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 803 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAIIAN CULTURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to remove a provision designating the Hawaii Convention Center as the location for operation of a Hawaiian Center and the Museum of Hawaiian Music and Dance.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that under existing law, $79,000,000 of transient accommodations tax revenue is allocated per year to the tourism special fund and of that amount, $1,000,000 is allocated for the operation of a Hawaiian Center and Museum of Hawaiian Music and Dance at the Hawaii Convention Center. However, your Committee further finds that the Hawaii Convention Center roof must be fixed before the Center can accommodate the operation of a Hawaiian Center and the Museum. This measure will eliminate the requirement for the Hawaiian Center and the Museum to be located at the Hawaii Convention Center, which will allow the roof to be fixed and the Hawaiian Center and the Museum to be moved to a more appropriate location in the interim.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 803 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair