STAND. COM. REP. NO. 611

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 629

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 629 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require contracts entered into by the Hawaii Tourism Authority for management of the Hawaii Convention Center to include marketing for all uses of the facility.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Convention Center provides a venue for the State to host large meetings, conventions, and incentives that draw large numbers of visitors to the State. Your Committee believes that the procurement process for the marketing services of the Hawaii Convention Center should be updated to ensure a competitive bidding process that will effectively market the Convention Center as a premier location for meetings and conventions. This measure will ensure the State receives the best value from proposals for the marketing of the Hawaii Convention Center by requiring contracts entered into by the Hawaii Tourism Authority for management of the Hawaii Convention Center to include marketing for all uses of the facility.

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. 629 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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LYNN DECOITE, Chair