STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2347

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2419

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2419 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS HOSTING PLATFORMS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Create a pilot project that repeals on June 30, 2028, for counties with a population of less than 200,000 to regulate the operation of hosting platforms that provide booking services for transient accommodation operators; and

(2) Require a report to the Legislature.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and County of Maui Department of Planning. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from AirBnb.

Your Committees find that illegal transient vacation units are increasingly located in residential areas, often in violation of zoning laws and in conflict with residential neighbors. Your Committees note that this pilot project seeks to give both the counties and hosting platforms an opportunity to explore different types and levels of regulation to determine which option or options ensure transparency, enforcement, and accountability in the transient accommodations industry within the State, while preserving the quality of life for Hawaii's residents and visitors.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2419 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Government Operations,

________________________________ SHARON MORIWAKI, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair