STAND. COM. REP. NO. 344

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1033

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 1033 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE STADIUM AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation of general funds to the Stadium Authority to allow the Aloha Stadium to continue to maintain and operate the facility in a safe condition for the public. Funds are authorized to be used for the following expenses:

(1) Payroll;

(2) Various repairs and maintenance;

(3) Contracts for services; and

(4) Operating equipment.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Stadium Authority.

Your Committee finds that due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Aloha Stadium and its iconic Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and Marketplace were closed to the public beginning in March 2020. Your Committee believes it is important that the Aloha Stadium receive a general cash appropriation of $1,500,000 in order to carry it through the fiscal year 2020-2021 and provide sufficient cash to begin the next fiscal year to maintain and operate the Aloha Stadium in a safe, efficient, and compliant manner.

Your Committee further finds that the $1,500,000 appropriation provides the general funds required to minimally operate and maintain the Aloha Stadium for a limited period of time, and that the Stadium Authority has taken cost-cutting measures in light of the projected budget shortfall.

Accordingly, your Committee highly encourages the Stadium Authority to explore creative outlets, options, and programming ideas to make better use of the Aloha Stadium facility, increase its revenue, and support the needs of the public. Your Committee also encourages the Stadium Authority and the University of Hawaii Athletics Department to work together and collaborate to develop a comprehensive plan that allows the Aloha Stadium to continue to host Rainbow Warrior football games.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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. 1033, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1033, S.D. 1, 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,

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair