STAND. COM. REP. NO. 909-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1944

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1944, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning on July 1, 2021, require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to submit an annual list to the Hawaii Tourism Authority of proposed projects for the Hawaii Tourism Authority Strategic Plan;

(2) Beginning with the Regular Session of 2022, require the Hawaii Tourism Authority to submit an annual report of certain projects undertaken in accordance with the Hawaii Tourism Authority Strategic Plan; and

(3) Allocate funds from transient accommodations tax revenues directly to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, rather than through the Special Land and Development Fund, to improve certain state resources and services in accordance with the Hawaii Tourism Authority Strategic Plan.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Kohala Coast Resort Association. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

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. 1944, 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