HB553

PART I

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that litter is a growing problem in the State. In addition to being a visual blight along roadways and in public spaces, litter causes a host of negative environmental issues including contamination of local waterways and the ocean. Litter and its consequences negatively impact the enjoyment and quality of life of both Hawaii residents and visitors to the State, especially since many visitors come to the islands with an expectation of enjoying Hawaii's pristine environment.

The legislature also finds that litter can be a direct economic and legal liability to the State. Each year, the State spends over $64,000,000 to clean up litter. Additionally, when litter makes its way into harbors and waterways, it can be considered an illicit discharge in violation of the federal Clean Water Act. In 2014, the United States Environmental Protection Agency fined the department of transportation $1,200,000 for violations relating to stormwater runoff pollution found at Honolulu and Kalaeloa Barbers Point harbors.

The legislature finds that litter is especially problematic on the island of Hawaii, where there is no municipal trash pickup service. Hawaii island residents who cannot afford or choose not to pay for private trash disposal service must drive their trash to transfer stations. The legislature finds that this process often results in litter falling or blowing out of uncovered trucks onto the highway. Litter constantly accumulates on both the roadsides and highway median along Queen Kaahumanu highway between Ellison Onizuka Kona international airport and Kailua-Kona. The legislature finds that litter buildup is an eyesore and, unfortunately, it is one of the first visuals experienced by visitors to this area of the islands. This experience could leave a lasting negative impression and ultimately have a detrimental impact on tourism in the State.

The legislature also finds that anti-litter public education campaigns are a proven and effective way to raise public awareness and promote citizen responsibility toward the reduction of litter in the State. The legislature finds that another effective way to keep roadsides clear of litter is the adopt-a-highway program, currently administered by the department of transportation.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish a:

(1) Statewide anti-littering public education and awareness campaign to be developed, administered, coordinated, and promoted by the Hawaii tourism authority; and

(2) Pilot program for the Hawaii tourism authority to assume the administration and management of the department of transportation's adopt-a-highway program in certain geographic areas.

PART II

SECTION 2. There is established within the Hawaii tourism authority a statewide anti-littering public education and awareness campaign. The campaign shall raise public awareness and promote citizen responsibility toward the reduction of litter in the State. The Hawaii tourism authority shall be responsible for the development, administration, coordination, and promotion of the campaign.

SECTION 3. Section 201B-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

"(a) The authority may enter into contracts and agreements that include the following:

(1) Tourism promotion, marketing, and development;

(2) Market development-related research;

(3) Product development and diversification issues focused on visitors;

(4) Promotion, development, and coordination of sports-related activities and events;

(5) Promotion of Hawaii, through a coordinated statewide effort, as a place to do business, including high technology business, and as a business destination;

(6) Reduction of barriers to travel;

(7) Marketing, management, use, operation, or maintenance of the convention center facility, including the purchase or sale of goods or services, logo items, concessions, sponsorships, and license agreements, or any use of the convention center facility as a commercial enterprise; provided that effective January 1, 2003, and thereafter, the contract for management of the convention center facility shall include marketing for all uses of the facility;

(8) Development, production, and broadcast of messages raising public awareness and promoting citizen responsibility toward the reduction of litter in the State;

[~~(8)~~] (9) Tourism research and statistics to:

(A) Measure and analyze tourism trends;

(B) Provide information and research to assist in the development and implementation of state tourism policy; and

(i) Visitor arrivals, visitor characteristics, and expenditures;

(ii) The number of transient accommodation units available, occupancy rates, and room rates;

(iii) Airline-related data including seat capacity and number of flights;

(iv) The economic, social, and physical impacts of tourism on the State; and

(v) The effects of the marketing programs of the authority on the measures of effectiveness developed pursuant to section 201B-6(b); and

[~~(9)~~] (10) Any and all other activities necessary to carry out the intent of this chapter;

provided that the authority shall periodically submit a report of the contracts and agreements entered into by the authority to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the president of the senate.

(b) The authority shall be responsible for:

(1) Creating a vision and developing a long-range strategic plan for tourism in Hawaii;

(2) Promoting, marketing, and developing the tourism industry in the State;

(3) Arranging for the conduct of research through contractual services with the University of Hawaii or any agency or other qualified persons concerning social, economic, and environmental aspects of tourism development in the State;

(4) Developing, coordinating, administering, and promoting a statewide anti-littering public education and awareness campaign;

[~~(4)~~] (5) Providing technical or other assistance to agencies and private industry upon request;

[~~(5)~~] (6) Perpetuating the uniqueness of the native Hawaiian culture and community, and their importance to the quality of the visitor experience, by ensuring that:

(A) The Hawaiian culture is accurately portrayed by Hawaii's visitor industry;

(B) Hawaiian language is supported and normalized as both an official language of the State as well as the foundation of the host culture that draws visitors to Hawaii;

(C) Hawaiian cultural practitioners and cultural sites that give value to Hawaii's heritage are supported, nurtured, and engaged in sustaining the visitor industry; and

(D) A native Hawaiian cultural education and training program is provided for the visitor industry workforce having direct contact with visitors; and

[~~(6)~~] (7) Reviewing annually the expenditure of public funds by any visitor industry organization that contracts with the authority to perform tourism promotion, marketing, and development and making recommendations necessary to ensure the effective use of the funds for the development of tourism."

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the development, coordination, administration, and promotion of a statewide anti-littering public education and awareness campaign pursuant to part II of this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii tourism authority for the purposes of this Act.

PART III

SECTION 5. (a) There is established within the Hawaii tourism authority an adopt-a-highway pilot program to be implemented in the following geographic areas:

(1) North Kona, along Queen Kaahumanu Highway between Ellison Onizuka Kona international airport and Kailua-Kona; and

(2) An area on the island of Oahu that the Hawaii tourism authority deems appropriate for this pilot program, provided that the Hawaii tourism authority shall select an appropriate area on the island of Oahu by December 31, 2019.

(b) The Hawaii tourism authority shall assume the administration and management of the department of transportation's adopt-a-highway program in the geographic areas identified in this section. The Hawaii tourism authority shall consult and cooperate with the department of transportation as necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.

(c) The Hawaii tourism authority shall submit an annual report to the legislature on the adopt-a-highway pilot program's progress, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session. The report shall include a recommendation on whether the adopt-a-highway pilot program should be continued, modified, or terminated.

(d) The Hawaii tourism authority's adopt-a-highway pilot program shall cease to exist on June 30, 2021.

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to establish and implement the Hawaii tourism authority's adopt-a-highway pilot program pursuant to part III of this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii tourism authority for the purposes of this Act.

PART IV

SECTION 7. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 8. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	553
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII